Following a month of public nominations, two months of public voting, and deliberations from the expert judging panel, the winners of the 2017 Harlow Architectural Design Awards have been announced.
Unlike last year’s inaugural event, this year’s competition focussed solely on buildings completed within the past year in the town.
In total, more than 700 votes were cast during the voting process for the awards, with clear winners eventually emerging in both the residential and non-residential categories.
Residential Category Winner: 54 Old Road
Non-residential Category Winner: Harlow Rugby Club
Paul McLintic, Organiser of the Harlow Architectural Design Awards said: “54 Old Road proved an extremely popular choice in the residential category, and the judging panel agreed that it demonstrated a combination of practicality and elegant design as well as sympathetic siting on the edge of one of Harlow’s cherished Green Wedges.
“In the non-residential category, Harlow’s new Rugby Club emerged as an overwhelming favourite in the public voting, which is understandable given its use of clean overall lines, complementary colouring and good quality materials to upgrade the original into, not just another house with an extension, but a very pleasing modern house.”
Organised by Harlow Civic Society and supported by founding sponsor Places for People and annual sponsor Architecture & Design Services, the awards set out to celebrate the best examples of current architecture, to encourage better design for the future of the town.
Trophies were presented to the winners in both categories at a well-attended ceremony held at the Harlow Cricket Club Pavilion on Sunday, 22nd October 2017.
An additional award was presented to Harlow District Council for the Town Park Regeneration, which encapsulates the upgrade to the park landscape, the redevelopment of Pets’ Corner and Spurriers, with a new café and the construction of the Learning Centre.
Glen O’Hara, Academic historian and winner of the Gladstone Prize for History and Politics, was the guest speaker and announced the winners at the event.
Paul McLintic, from Harlow Civic Society said: “We are delighted at the public response to this year’s Awards, with even more people having their say on the town’s best architecture than during last year’s competition.
“Having generated such interest in the local community, we are already looking forward to next year’s competition, and celebrating new buildings that enhance the existing character of Harlow.”
The residential shortlist included buildings at High Chase, 10 Headland Street, 6 & 8 Rosefield Street and 4, 6 & 8 Headland Street.
The non-residential category featured both business and community assets at Kao One, Harlow Cricket Pavilion, and the Spurriers & Pets Corner upgrade/refurbishment, the last phase of which was completed this year.