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News

Announcement of Poole Pride of Place Awards 2002 and 2003

Poole Pride of Place Awards have been presented to the Adam Practice Surgery on Longfleet Road, the Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts and the Branksome Beach Café.

Judges for the Poole Pride of Place Award considered 23 entrants for the two-year period and spent a full and fascinating day visiting buildings in all parts of the Borough. This longstanding award is given to schemes that make the greatest contribution to the quality and appearance of the public realm, either in the form of buildings or landscape.

The judges were his Worshipful the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Ray Smith, Councillor Ann Stribley, Vice Chair of the Planning Committee, Kelvin Bland, Chairman of the Dorset Branch of the RIBA, Peter Thompson, Architect from Wimborne and Jon Dowty of Future Create consultants with special knowledge of sustainability in development.

The Mayor of Poole, Councillor Ray Smith, said: "It is not so much a competition as a recognition of quality in design and building."

Councillor Mrs Stribley, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: "It is always difficult to pick out one or two from a field of such quality. However we were always mindful of the fact that buildings receiving this award, act as an indicator to the quality in architecture and landscaping that the Council expects to see in all development."

The judges were impressed by the Adam Practice, the new surgery on Longfleet Road. The Mayor admired the welcoming atmosphere and the feeling of calm and comfort on the inside and Peter Thompson commented: "This is a cheerful and slightly whimsical piece of architecture that sits well in the street scene without attempting to copy the style of its neighbours."

Judges also awarded a commendation to the Herb and Physic Garden to the rear of Scaplens Court in Poole High Street. The restoration of this historic garden is due to the commitment and hard work of a small number of members of the local community. It demonstrates pride in the town and dedication to our heritage.

The internal and external refurbishment of the Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, was given an award for its design and also for its contribution to sustainable development. This "outrageously modern" restoration, both inside and outside, with extensive use of new work by artists, has revived what was a rather tired looking building into a vibrant centre for local people. The Mayor of Poole, commented: ""This is a major asset for Poole and it will be enjoyed by large numbers of our community."

Jon Dowty commented: "Of all the buildings we have seen, the Lighthouse deserves recognition for its contribution to sustainability. It re-uses an existing building and retains most of its features and is located close to a well-served public transport network. The building utilises a technique involving a passive system of ventilation, all additional to the standard requirements of the building regulations and which successfully reduces the buildings environmental impact. The scheme involved extensive public consultation to ensure the Lighthouse would best meet the cultural needs of the town. In short, it is a rare example of a building which gives tremendous pride to people in the town whilst at the same time meets the demands of the 21st century."

The second award, in the category of conservation, was made to the Branksome Beach Café Bar and Restaurant on Branksome Chine. The judges were impressed with the refurbishment and extension of the 1930s beach station and the way in which the contemporary replacement of the Victorian style conservatory blended in with the retained 1930s building and added to the seaside feel of the buildings.

Two commendations were made for 2003 for private houses, in recognition of their high quality in the design and execution of contemporary domestic architecture. These were for the house at Evening Hill, by Richard Horden and 18 Lakeside Road by Phil Easton.

A new category of a special mention was added for the particular contribution of Seven Developments to the Borough’s stock of good contemporary architecture. Of the three projects submitted, the judges were particularly impressed with inspiration, at 25 Western Avenue.

John Biggs, Team Leader Urban Design, Borough of Poole, Tel: (01202) 633331