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Solent Quality Places Design Awards

Sponsored by PUSH, the Solent Design Awards are all about the encouragement of Quality place-making: schemes that create special places, lift communities, create richer experiences …not just iconic buildings but also the places in-between, the carrier spaces for our daily lives. South Hampshire is a wonderful place to live and the Solent Design Awards will recognise new developments that add to rather than detract from the quality of life it offers; to our experience of the workplace, to our appreciation of the environment we live in.

The standard of entries received was high, illustrating the wealth of good quality schemes which have been built in the PUSH area in the last 5 years.

From the 12 shortlisted schemes the winners are:

  • Quality Places Award, Overall Winner: University of Portsmouth Library

  • Quality Places Award: Wellstead Primary School, Hedge End

  • People’s Choice Award: University of Portsmouth Library

Highly Commended:

  • London Road, Southampton

  • The Point, Eastleigh

  • Admiralty Quarter, Portsmouth

The winners were announced at an Awards Dinner at Winchester Guildhall sponsored by Portsmouth based construction company, Warings. Star guest was Red or Dead creator, Wayne Hemingway, who has now turned his talents to become an urban design guru. He spoke about his passion for his concept of “Liveability” – making buildings, places and spaces good to live in, which perfectly matched the Awards theme.

Paul Grover, Chief Executive SCA+D, who organised the Awards on behalf of PUSH was delighted:

“Both of the winning buildings are not only great designs, but draw inspiration from their location and enhance the community.”

  • University of Portsmouth Library

    The extension to the library creates a highly visible entrance and provides much needed additional accommodation including IT facilities, flexible seminar rooms, study areas and a café. The public are actively encouraged to walk through the grounds of the building, creating a new pedestrian route through the city.

  • Wellstead Primary School, Hedge End

    A carefully designed one form entry school in a recently built neighbourhood which includes 7 classrooms, music/drama space, main hall, food-technology space, CDT space, SEN rooms, admin and necessary staff accommodation.

  • London Road, Southampton

    London Road, Southampton

    A gateway to the city centre, the scheme design set out to place a greater emphasis on the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users, whilst maintaining the operational requirements of a busy high street.

  • The Point, Eastleigh

    The Point, Eastleigh

    The construction of a new studio and link building, with alterations to the existing building have provided new facilities for local people, young actors and dancers, school children and professional performers. The changes have allowed the building to address the park for public performance and greater public engagement.

  • Admiralty Quarter, Portsmouth

    Admiralty Quarter, Portsmouth

    A new development to provide housing and invigorate buildings along Queen Street, Admiralty Quarter is made up of a block of housing above a car parking plinth that surrounds a private garden courtyard and a housing tower.