Council launches design awards

Clare County Council this week announced the launch of its Design and Conservation Awards Scheme 2011, which will foster and reward excellence in the built environment of the county.

The scheme follows from and builds on a similar awards scheme held by Clare County Council in 2005. Buildings completed or refurbished in County Clare between January 1, 2005 and April 30, 2011 are eligible under the scheme. Nominations or submissions under the scheme are open to any owner, designer, contractor, community group or other member of the public.
Speaking about the new initiative Councillor Christy Curtin, Mayor of Clare said, “The main objectives of the scheme will be to raise public awareness of good design and conservation”.
“The council recognises the importance of the quality of our built environment and that good quality design makes a significant contribution to our well-being and quality of life.
“Over the past decade, architecture has enjoyed a period of achievement. A number of well-designed buildings including public buildings, schools, housing, commercial and leisure buildings have been developed. In addition, public interest in and appreciation of good quality design has grown,” he continued.
Mairead O’Donovan, administrative officer, Clare County Council added, “Good quality design of the built environment is a legacy for future generations. Clare County Council would like to encourage and promote good design. It is intended that the nomination and submission procedures will be kept as simple as possible in order to encourage members of the public to participate in the scheme.”
She added that the council recognises there are a number of awards at a national level in the area of architecture and it is not the local authority’s intention to “compete with or duplicate these” but rather to reward on a more local level.
There are a number of additional categories in the 2011 awards scheme, which include, best new single house in the countryside, best new single house in a town/village, best new residential development, best reuse/refurbishment and/or extension, best new commercial building, best new civic building, best conservation project, best new infill development, best new shop front/refurbished shop front, best new sustainable development/green technology, best innovation awards and best accessibility/social inclusion awards.
Entries will be judged by an ­independent panel who will assess the contribution to the quality of the built environment, build and workmanship quality, quality of professional design, functionality, sustainability, ­originality and innovation in approach and most importantly the extent to which the entry may serve as a role model. 
The scheme has been prepared in consultation with the council’s Strategic Policy Committee for Planning, Land Use and Transportation.
The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, July 15 next and more information is available by contacting the planning section of Clare County Council on 065 6846401 or visit www.clarecoco.ie.