Waltham Forest Design Awards 2011
The 2011 Waltham Forest Design Awards, run in conjunction with Guardian newspapers, have once again helped to raise awareness of and celebrate good quality design in the built environment of the borough.
Seventeen entries from across Waltham Forest were received for this year’s competition, and following visits to all the sites the entries were considered by a judging panel consisting of Councillor Saima Mahmud (Cabinet member for Housing & Development), Ruth Richards (Royal Town Planning Institute), Pat Gough (Waltham Forest Civic Society), Judy Allen (Royal Institute of British Architects), Tim Bennett-Goodman (Chair VAWF/ arts & culture adviser) and Maisie Vollans (Youth representative from Walthamstow School for Girls).
At a well-attended Awards Ceremony held at the Vestry House Museum Community Room on 24 November, the winners of the 2011 Design Awards were announced, receiving brass plaques and certificates.
Councillor Mahmud said:
Despite living in challenging times I am pleased to say that we have had an exciting number of entries this year which proves that good design is alive and well in Waltham Forest.
Thanks firstly to Waltham Forest Guardian as our partner in once again sponsoring the Awards – it is very much appreciated.
Special thanks to our Judging Panel in giving up their time and expertise for free (again!) in what was a long and exhausting (but interesting) day. As always we were extremely fortunate in having a group of very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly people to help us. So thank you to Tim, Ruth, Judy, Pat & Maisie.
Thanks also to all the nominees for providing a comprehensive and exciting range of entries this year. I’d like to congratulate all the entrants – including those who haven’t won an Award this time. I am particularly grateful for all the people (architects/developers/clients) who took time out of their day to show the Judges around their scheme and answer all their questions – it was very much appreciated.
Good design is important to us in Waltham Forest – we know the value of design in creating attractive places, improving quality of life and promoting civic pride.
Well designed homes and neighbourhoods create better places to live and build strong communities.
Well designed schools and libraries support teaching and learning and have a positive impact on our education and culture.
Good quality public spaces help to create healthy communities and revitalise out town centres and neighbourhoods.
Good design can also create economic value and be more cost-effective over time – bad design by contrast can blight places and inhibit investment.
The schemes you see before you are all examples of how good design can be achieved – with vision, partnership and commitment. I congratulate everyone involved with our entries this year and thank you for helping us make Waltham Forest a better place to live, work and enjoy.
Finally I’d like to offer my personal congratulations to all those involved in this year’s winning entries.
» View the winners of the Design Awards 2011
Contact
Further details and assistance in submitting entries can be obtained by contacting Guy Osborne at Waltham Forest Council on 0208 496 6737 or at guy.osborne@walthamforest.gov.uk
