News
Entries invited for PM's Award 2006 - Better Public Building
Released on 13/03/2006
Entries are invited for the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award 2006 - a special category within the British Construction Industry Awards.
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), is urging everyone who has procured a public building, such as head teachers, directors of NHS Trusts and local council leaders, to seek recognition for their new buildings by entering them for the award.
The closing date for entries is Thursday, April 20, with judging in May and a shortlist announced in July. Winners will be invited to a Gala Awards Dinner, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, on October 26.
This annual award, made to a building project commissioned by or on behalf of a government or grant-aided organisation, is part of the Better Public Building initiative launched by the Prime Minister, in October 2000, to encourage the adoption of quality design principles in all new public sector buildings regardless of size and cost. The award recognises the design and procurement excellence in building projects from across the public sector.
Launching the event in Westminster, the Government's design champion, the Right Honourable Tessa Jowell, MP, said: "Design matters. The Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award recognises, celebrates and publicises high quality architecture in the public sector.
"By showing what good design can do there, we aim to raise design standards across the construction industry. I greatly look forward to presenting the award to the winning project later this year."
OGC's chief executive John Oughton said: "OGC is proud of its association with CABE in sponsoring this prestigious Award.
"There is a growing recognition of the role that good design can play in ensuring optimal value for money in public sector projects, and ultimately in delivering high-quality public services. I encourage people involved in public sector procurement to come forward with their entries."
CABE chairman John Sorrell describes the people who commission excellent new public buildings as "unsung heroes". He said at the launch: "These are the individuals who can make the difference between a project being just mediocre or absolutely excellent.
"It's about the courage of an individual who understands the importance of a design and shows the determination and leadership to take risks and go that extra mile to achieve it."
Last year's winner was the Jubilee Library in Brighton, which has seen visitor numbers and book loans triple since its opening, and previously shortlists have included roads, flood defence schemes, public toilets, schools, hospitals and libraries.
Visit the Prime Minister's Award website for details on how to enter.
Visit the British Construction Industry Awards website for more information about this prestigious event.
Contact details:
OGC Service Desk
Tel: 0845 000 4999
E-mail: ServiceDesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk
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Page last updated: 2008-10-20
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