EYE-CATCHING buildings have been awarded as Southend Council announced the winners of its annual design awards.

The scheme, set up in 1994, recognises and encourages excellence in design and conservation projects across the borough.

The 2015 awards were recently judged by a panel of experts, including representatives of the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Institutes of Chartered Surveyors and the Milton Conservation Society.

Southend councillor for housing, planning and regulatory services, David Norman, said: "The Design Awards are our way of showcasing the best of design across our Borough and help to encourage high-quality design on developments large and small.

“The competition this year was extremely tough and the standard of applications high. We’d like to thank everyone who entered and making this year’s competition such a success."

Best new build - Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall

Echo:

The judges said of the project: “This was a cracking scheme with good detailing, which had created a seamless addition to the existing church.

"Both the building and the landscaping had a real feel of quality and were a positive addition to the streetscene.”

Architect: Anthony Delarue Associates. Client: Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. Contractor: Haynes & Smith

 

Small projects award - 83 Elm Road office rear extension

Echo:

The judges said: "This quirky extension had excellent quality and attention to detail and achieved the right scale on a difficult site.

"It was an unexpected enhancement to the existing building and we particularly liked the exposed structure, use of reclaimed materials and the light and comfortable spaces that had been created.”

Architect: Anthony Slee Architectural Services. Client: Baines Surveying.

 

Small projects award - 50 Mount Avenue Rear Extension

Echo:

The judges said: “A simple but effectively designed rear extension.”

Architect: SKArchitects. Client: Mr L Bragrad. Contractor: Cooper Anderson.

 

Conservation award - Oyster Creek Cafe

Echo:

The judges said: “This project was a little gem that had given a new lease of life to the historic building and enhanced the conservation area and seafront.

"We thought that the front of the building in particular was well detailed and the judges were confident that the extraction concerns could be resolved so that the building seamlessly integrated into the cliff gardens.”

Architect: SKArchitects. Client: Seaside Rocks.

 

New build commendation - 134-144 Glendale Gardens

Echo:

The judges said: “The houses enhanced and uplifted the diverse character of Glendale Gardens and the repetition and articulation to the frontage had helped them to integrate into the streetscene.

"Internally the layout was well set out to maximise the space available."

Architect: Knight Gratrix. Client: Argenta One. Contractor: Randall Watts.

 

Small projects commendation - 152 Marine Parade Rear Extension

Echo:

The judges said: “The glass linking section and other areas of incidental glazing worked well as a feature and to bring light into the room and this had created a pleasant living area.

"We also thought that the garden complemented the extension well."

Architect: Knight Gatrix. Client: Mr & Mrs Burgeman. Contractor: CHC Construction.

 

Small projects commendation - Beach huts, East Beach

Echo:

The judges said: “A bold and innovative take on seaside vernacular which made good use of recycled and natural materials which related well to the context.”

Architect: Pedder & Scampton Architects Ltd. Client: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. Contractor: Carmelcrest Ltd.