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News

Poole Pride of Place Awards 2005

This year marked the 25^th anniversary of the first Poole Pride of Place Award. Judging for the first time as Poole’s “Design Champion”,  Councillor Ann Stribley said, “I see my role as raising the profile of good design in Poole.   This year’s nominations for the Award have been a very encouraging start with a record six buildings gaining a Poole Pride of Place Award.”

The judges’ team this year also included Sheriff of Poole Cllr Judy Butt, Geoff Manning of Charter Architects, representing the  Dorset Branch of the RIBA, Phil Easton of Western Design Architects and Richard Dimbleby who is Chair of Poole’s Local Strategic Partnership .  They were looking for schemes that make the greatest contribution to the quality and appearance of the public realm in Poole, either in the form of buildings or landscape. Borough of Poole’s Conservation and Design Officer John Biggs, who organised the event, said: “This is not a competition but a selection of buildings that represent the benchmark for the level of quality we expect to see delivered in Poole.”

Two awards went to the RNLI for the College and Training Pool and for the National Supply Centre, both in West Quay Road.  Judges were unanimous in hailing this ensemble of large buildings as new iconic features for Poole, elegantly and powerfully complementing the emerging status and skyline of the town.

Architect David Wright gets an Award for the second year running, this time for the harbourside house at 12 Branksea Avenue, in Hamworthy.  Judges were impressed with the dramatic way it made the most of a spectacular site with a delight of subtle, contemporary architecture, whilst  still respecting  its neighbours. Cllr Butt commented: “It puts the ‘sea’ into contemporary!”

“The Community Library and Learning Centre at Rossmore Community College, in Herbert Avenue has that rare quality of the “wow” factor,”  according to Phil Easton.  “It brings a vibrant splash of colour that lifts not only the school itself but the whole area. The building is open and inviting and brings a much needed resource to the community.”

Sustainability in Construction was a major theme for buildings this year, at the RNLI, the Arts Institute and the Library at Rossmore.  But as Mary Tibbles, one of last year’s judges and member of Poole Agenda 21 commented: “Sustainability is not just about saving water and using less power, but improving the social well-being of a community and creating a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.” The Community Library at Rossmore undoubtedly does that and for that reason judges awarded it the ‘Sustainablity’ award for 2005.

A small group of flats and houses at Wyndham Road, Parkstone, designed by Gary Worsfold was also given an Award.  Geoff Manning said: “This scheme, with its modern interpretation of traditional forms, exhibits a consistent aesthetic and a careful attention to detail right through to the quality of construction.“  Cllr Butt praised it for “establishing a new context for the area.”