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10 Aug 06Poole Pride of Place Awards 2006
The Poole Pride of Place Awards have been given to two very different housing projects this year, illustrating the vast range of high quality residential developments being built in Poole at the moment. The Sustainability Award went to Seldown Eco-Village in Poole town centre with the Pride of Place Award going to “Thunderbirds”, a house in Branksome Park.
On the judging panel this year were the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Mrs Judy Butt, the “Design Champion” Councillor Mrs Stribley, Neil Bichard, Chair of the Dorset Branch of the RIBA 
, David Barnes, architect of Genesis Design Studio, and David Bunt, Environment Manager with the Environment Agency . The panel looked for buildings or landscape schemes that make the greatest contribution to the quality and appearance of the public realm in Poole, and which will act as benchmarks for the level of quality that Poole expects to see delivered.
Seldown Eco-Village is an affordable housing development of 85 houses and flats, designed by SMC Charter Architects of Bournemouth, for Spinnaker Housing Group and the Borough of Poole. Seldown won this year’s Sustainability Award for its use of sustainable materials and construction techniques, and eco friendly heating and other services.
The scheme achieved an impressive “Excellent” eco Homes rating and has already been recognised as an exemplar for low cost, low energy housing development on a regional and national scale. The scheme is well linked to the town and contains a community facility and a car club.
David Bunt, the Environment Manager at the Environment Agency said: “At last Pride of Place can be given a scheme that has gone well beyond the green requirements of the Building Regulations,” said David Bunt . “That this can be done for Affordable Housing shows us all that “green” building need not be expensive. It is an excellent example and inspiration to planners and developers in Poole and beyond.”
Neil Bichard, Chair of the Dorset Branch of RIBA said: “I do think the architecture will have lasting appeal but above all the promoters of the scheme have to be applauded for providing much needed low cost family housing in the centre of Poole, a pointer, hopefully, for future high density development”.
The Pride of Place Award went to Seven Developments’ latest flagship, “Thunderbirds”, which was designed by the managing director Eddie Mitchell and is a large single house in the leafy surroundings of Branksome Park. The design is unashamedly modern, characterised by curvaceous glass walls under a dramatic sweeping copper roof. The judges were impressed by the sheer panache of the design and the consistent attention to detail both inside and out. As the Mayor most eloquently put it, “This house is no shrinking violet but you have to admit it is splendidly sexy and will be an inspiration to many.”
The judges were aware that the building stood out in the street scene but felt that it was sensitive to its surroundings and that the ample landscaping would soon begin to soften its impact.
The scheme that really stole the show for the judges, however was a tiny communal garden at Canford Sheltered Housing Scheme on Canford Heath. Residents raised a Lottery Grant of £3,000 to transform their communal space to an outside room for all to share. Judges gave this a Highly Commended classification.
Councillor Mrs Ann Stribley said: “By working together as a community, the residents have made their vision come true in a really admirable way. They should be deservedly proud of what they have achieved and I hope that it serves as an example to all groups that they too can make their dream a reality.”
A Commendation also goes to Moxey Associates for a large split-level modern house in Branksome Park. Judges were impressed by the accomplishment of a calm and comfortable family house with sensitivity to site and surroundings, the use of splendid materials and a dedication to architectural style. Its location away from the street denied it a full Award.
A Commendation also goes to the Borough of Poole’s Cygnet Play Area in Poole Park, designed by Floyd Matcham Landscape Architects . Judges admired the choice of modern equipment and materials, the family friendly atmosphere and the contribution to a wider community.
Summing up the 2006 Awards, Councillor Stribley said: “At a time when all developments seem intent on making a “statement”, I recall David Barnes, one of the judges, saying that there is always space for a Landmark or statement architecture. However you have to realise you can’t have them everywhere, not on every site, it has to be the right site. We would do well to remember that for future development proposals.”
John Biggs, Team Leader Urban Design, Planning Services Borough of Poole tel 01202 633331
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