Winners announced for the Buckinghamshire Design Awards

On announcing the winners, Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement Warren Whyte commented:

“Many congratulations to the winning schemes. The Design Awards aim to demonstrate good quality design in Buckinghamshire and set expectations for Buckinghamshire Council’s Planning and Environment Service. The People’s Choice Award is an opportunity to showcase the best of the best and for the public to have their say.”

Ten schemes were shortlisted for the People’s Choice Awards, with the public invited to vote for their favourite scheme in two categories – private/residential and public/landscape.

Great Kimble Church of England School was designed by Contour Architecture, and Director of the firm Phil Bailey had this to say about their win:

“The local community are always at the very heart of designing an educational building, from the initial public consultations through to delivering a highly functional new school building. Sitting in green belt and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty meant it was even more important for our building to be sympathetic to the local environment.

“We worked hand-in-hand with the school and local community to develop a modern yet sensitive design incorporating intricate detailing using local brick and flint. The additional building which includes two classrooms, a new school hall and a kitchen has provided valuable space, helping turn the school from infant to primary and to secure a local education for future generations.

“Winning the Buckinghamshire Design Awards 2020 People’s Choice Award (public/landscape) is extra special as it is voted for by the public themselves – what better recognition could we ask for?”

Great Kimble Church of England School Head Teacher Mala Cozadinos added:

“We are absolutely delighted that Contour Architecture has won the Buckinghamshire Design Awards 2020 People’s Choice Award. The new building has transformed Great Kimble Church of England School and enabled our long-term dream of expanding from an Infant School to a Primary School to become a reality.

“We are enormously grateful to Buckinghamshire Council and Contour Architecture for all their hard work and support in enhancing our wonderful school. This beautiful new building and facilities provide an outstanding start to school life for our Reception and KS1 children, and our whole school has befitted from the spacious new hall. Thank you to everyone involved!”

Pheasants in Hambleden was designed by architects Sarah Griffiths, Williams Griffiths Architects, and Amin Taha, Amin Taha Architects who said:

“It’s very gratifying for our design to be chosen as one of the winning schemes, and we would like to thank and pay tribute to David Gibbon and his team in the council’s Planning Department. We greatly valued his patient advice, professionalism and vision.”

This award concludes the Buckinghamshire Design Awards for 2020. Work will begin on the 2021 awards in the spring so watch this space for the call for nominations!

Further details on the Design Awards can be found at: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/buckinghamshire-council-design-awards-2020