Civic Trust Awards
Overview
Civic Trust Awards are given to outstanding examples of architecture and environmental design and are unique in that they take into account the benefit each project brings to its local area as well as considering the quality of its design.
Civic Trust is the leading UK charity dedicated to bringing vitality, sustainability and high quality design to the built environment. The Trust works with people to promote thriving towns and villages, developing dynamic partnerships between communities, government and business to deliver regeneration and local improvement.
The Civic Trust gives four categories of award:
- Special Awards - are given to projects that are outstanding in a particular way, and are sponsored by a variety of organisations. Winners of Special Awards receive certificates and a plaque.
- Awards - are given to projects that reach the highest standards in terms of both their design and their contribution to their environment or community. Winners of Civic Trust Awards receive a certificate and a plaque for permanent display on the award-winning site.
- Commendations - are given to projects that are of an extremely high standard, but not quite worthy of an award. Winners receive a certificate.
- Commuinity Recognition - are given to projects that bring a notable social, cultural or economic benefit to their communities. Winners receive a certificate.
- Pro Tem Community Recognition
All entries are automatically considered for Civic Trust Awards - however, entrants can also ask for their project to be considered for a particular Special Award. You may have to supply extra information if your project is to be considered for a Special Award.
Who Can Enter?
Entries can be made by anyone closely connected with a project, so long as the permission of the owner and occupier of the scheme has been obtained prior to entering.
Interior Design
Wholly internal schemes are not eligible to apply unless the scheme is accessible to the public (i.e. internal restoration of a historic building/museum etc). However, internal aspects will be considered as part of the assessment process.
Visibility
Schemes must be visible to the public - it must be possible to see most of it, all year round, from a public thoroughfare. Private buildings that are regularly used by large numbers of people, for instance schools or commercial buildings, are considered visible. Entry fees cannot be returned if the judges decide the scheme is not visible.
Large, Phased Projects
Fully completed phases of large projects (including any landscaping or ancillary works) are eligible to apply. Entrants should state in the scheme description how the phase relates to the project as a whole, and indicate the project’s total size and expected completion date. Judges visiting the scheme must be able to fully assess any completed phase of the project. If our judges decide that the scheme cannot be fully assessed due to the incomplete nature of the scheme or any adjacent works, then the application will be considered unsuccessful. In such instances, resubmission will be permitted at a later date (additional application fee payable).
Private Houses & Housing Schemes
Private houses are eligible but must demonstrate how their project contributes to the debate on topics such as density, sustainability and social mix (e.g. affordable homes). Entrants are reminded that the building must be visible to the public.
Re-submission
Entries made in previous years cannot be resubmitted unless the judges decided the entry was premature. The entrant will have been informed that their scheme will be reconsidered.
Disclosure
Should relevant circumstances come to light that had not been known at the time of judging an award may be withheld.
Assessment
The decision of the National Panel is final. The Panel do not enter into any correspondence regarding the decision. However, a summary of feedback will be offered to all entrants on request, and sent out after the Awards Ceremony, which will take place on March 2015.