TOWNSCAPE AWARDS
Every other year the Kingston upon Thames Society presents Townscape Awards in recognition of new buildings, landscaping and artworks that in the Society's view have done the most to enhance Kingston. The Awards were launched in 1989, and since then more than 50 developments have earned the right to display the Society's coveted certificate of townscape merit.
The idea was initiated by the late Tony Leitch who's work for the environment has been enormous. He did all the work for previous years in preparing materials for consideration and presentation to this ceremony. It has been a hard act to follow and we hope we can do justice to his legacy. The 2008 year's awards are therefore presented as a tribute to his memory.
Society members were invited to suggest schemes that they considered to be worthy of an award. All were considered by a sub committee and the chosen schemes were presented to the full committee. In order to achieve an award certain criterion were established. It is not necessary to be for a building. In the past gardens and other landscape improvements have been chosen. It need not be large but must be shown to have a significant impact.
It must be readily accessible to public scrutiny, and this, I am afraid ruled out the splendid new university building in Penrhyn Road as it is tucked away and can only be glimpsed from the road. Similarly we do not concern ourselves with the interior unless, and we have one example in this list, it is readily accessible to the public.
The awards were presented by the Council's design champion Councillor Frances Moseley.
AWARD WINNERS
1. Surbiton Plaza , St Mary's Road Surbiton
This is a particularly appropriate award. Not only is the development in the centre of Surbiton, but both the Developer and Architect have offices cheek by jowl with the site. a truly local endeavour. In our view this housing development is an example in how this sort of development should be designed. There is an unfortunate tendency for Architects these days to design each of their buildings as an "Icon". Everyone likes Georgian streets. rows of similar well proportioned and beautifully detailed houses were interspersed with churches, town halls and the like which justified a special mark of attention. We venture to suggest that these elegant well detailed and modest buildings are in that tradition.
Developer CNM Estates, Wahid Samady. Architects PRC(Surbiton)Ltd, Michael Chidzey.
2. Chessington Community College , Garrison Lane, Chessington
This society is sometimes accused of ignoring Chessington, but to be fair there has not been much to scrutinize there, but this has now changed as a striking new building has arisen. No, not the Holiday Inn but Chessington Community College. The college is being completely rebuilt as one of 13 so called Pathfinder Colleges for The Dept. of Children Schools and Families. Apart from its main function as a secondary school it is able to encourage participation for other community, educational and social activities. As well as being an outstanding building externally , its interior, which because of its community commitment, can be experienced by a wider public, is extraordinary.
Client The Royal Borough, Anne Redpath, Architect ID Architects, Simon Tupper, Project Manager TFT Consultants , Paul Raymond.
Multi -storey classrooms and other teaching facilities are wrapped round a full height multi function Assembly Hall in the form of an Atrium with a high tech glass roof similar to the one at the Eden project in Cornwall.
The young people privileged to attend this college benefit, not only from the state of the art Teaching Facilities but experience a fine standard of design which will act as a bench mark for their appreciation of good design elsewhere. Two years ago we presented an award to the Architects for the very building in which the Society holds its meetings, so it is a pleasure to welcome them back again for this exceptional building.
3. Millbank House, Ewell Road, Surbiton
For many years Surbiton residents have had to endure passing what can only be described as a blot on the landscape, Millbank House on the Ewell Road. This bog standard office building was occupied by on of the country's leading building contractors, and no credit to them.
Now miraculously it has been transformed by means of an ambitious face lift, and internal refurbishment resulting in a building which is no longer an eyesore but a significant addition to the built environment. congratulations to the Developer who had the courage to commission this work and to the Architect for carrying it out so well.
Developer The Benmore Group, Bob Catteano representing, Architect Thomas O'Hare, Thomas O'Hare
4. The Sir William Rous Unit, Kingston Hospital
For many years government has been obsessed with PFI. This process removes the Architect from his traditional role as leader of the Design and Construction Team and subordinates him to part of the Contractor's tender. It stands to reason that this reduces his ability to impose good design standards. Fortunately, because the finance was raised by public subscription, this process was not used in this case and it shows. A distinguished firm of Architects was employed with this happy result. It is good that this building is at the front of the hospital and while it is not the main entrance it is the first building that many will see.
When I was designing hospitals I set myself a target as follows: People approaching a hospital are always anxious and usually ill. there can be little more upsetting than to be told that you have cancer. It is the job of the Architect to produce a building which promises clinical efficiency but also has a comforting atmosphere and human scale. This is not easy to achieve but, in our view, it has been done in this building. A quiet, dignified and well proportioned building is enhanced by well thought out, mature landscaping. It is an adornment, not only to the Hospital but to the environment at large.
Client Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, Alan Pearse Acting Chief Executive, Architect Broadway Malyan, Douglas Attrill.
As we have representatives of Kingston Hospital at the awards, I would like to remind you all that some years ago we gave an award for the garden behind the Epsom Ward block. The trouble with giving awards to gardens is that if they are not properly maintained they can fall below par. this is not the case here and the Society would like to congratulate your staff on the splendid condition of the garden today.
5. Student Accommodation, Vicarage Road, Kingston
This significant site is a prime location at the very heart of Kingston adjacent to John Lewis and opposite Bentalls. Whatever you may think of these two buildings they are of great significance being designed by two of the country's leading Architects to a high standard of design and construction. This site deserves a building of equal quality. It is our view that the Student's Accommodation does justice to the prominent position and is a suitable addition to this prime area.
Developer Keyway Estates Ltd., Mike Spenser Morris, Architect Paul Brookes, Paul Brookes.
6. The Coronation Clock Tower, Claremont Road, Surbiton
A structure of special architectural interest, the Clock Tower designed by John Johnson, was built on land donated by Surbiton Urban District Council to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VIIth in 1902. Work began in 1905 and was completed 3 years later. In 1963 the tower was in such poor condition demolition was considered but it was repaired later with local funding. The four clock faces were fitted with electric mechanism in the 1970's. However the tower again fell into disrepair but happily the Royal Borough generously assisted by Waitrose, English Heritage and Heritage of London and other donors set about restoring it to its former glory. It was unveiled by Prince Edward earlier this year. A Friends of the Coronation Clock tower was established in 2007 to oversee its future. The young stone mason from Clivedons Workshop Ltd who carried out most of the specialist stone work used much the same tools and techniques applied in the 1900's when the tower was originally constructed.
Client The Royal Borough, Yogan Yoganathan, Project Manager NPS, Tim Davis.
Representatives of all the winning schemes were presented with framed certificates, and made a short speech about what gave them most satisfaction about their projects. A full house applauded each team, after which winners and audience retired to the Lecture Theatre foyer for celebratory bubbly.