University of Cambridge, Department of Architecture © David Butler
The David Urwin Awards celebrate the design of new and extended or altered buildings in Cambridge.
They were established in 1988 in honour of David Urwin, a former planning officer.
One prize is awarded every year. Since 2002 there have been four categories on a rolling cycle that repeats every four years.
The categories are:
- Best new building
- Best conservation, alteration or extension of an existing building
- Best work in the public realm
- An exemplar of sustainability (formerly Most Efficient Building)
2011 awards - A call for entries!
The category for the 2011 awards is for Best Conservation, Alteration or Extension of an Existing Building and entrants are sought by the end of December 2011, with the awards being presented in 2012 once the judging is complete.
In order to be eligible for this award, projects must be within the boundary of Cambridge City, be of good overall design, paying particular attention to accessibility, and show the use of appropriate materials.
For more information regarding the David Urwin Awards, contact Susan Smith by email to planning.conservation@cambridge.gov.uk or call 01223 457000.
These awards are sponsored by the city council in association with Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry and the Cambridge News.
How to enter
Each year entries are invited for the particular category being judged. They should be submitted on an A1 board, which is mainly illustrations, accompanied by an A4 single sided sheet of text outlining the project. The project must have been completed between the last time the category was judged and the 31 December of the year the award is being made. All submissions should be received in the Historic Environment Team by 31 December.
Entries are judged in the January following submission by referring to the A1 board, the A4 sheet, and by site visits. Those who submit entries will be contacted regarding access to buildings where necessary.
2010 award winners
The 2010 category was for Best New Building and the winner was Wychfield, a development in Storeys Way for Trinity Hall by RH Partnership. Described as 'A Garden Community', the project includes student rooms, ancillary accommodation and a new porters' lodge. The judges were impressed with the design of the buildings, the materials used and the landscaping of the grounds which they felt all contribute to the scheme's success.
Wychfield, Trinity Hall
As well as a winner, the judges also gave two commendations. One was for the Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge at the Botanic Garden by Stanton Williams and the other for the Public Conveniences, Recycling Facilities and Office to Let in Chesterton Road by Freeland Rees Roberts for the city council. Both of these schemes were commended for their use of materials and approach to their design.
Previous winners 1998 onwards
2009
Prize: An Exemplar of Sustainability
Winners: a house in the south of the city (Mole Architects Ltd) and University of Cambridge, Department of Architecture (Mole Architects Ltd and Freeland Rees Roberts).
2008
Prize: Best work in the public realm
Winners: CB2 outdoor terrace (Freeland Rees Roberts) and the Brookside Gate at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.
2007
Prize: Best conservation, alteration or extension of an existing building
Winner: Peterhouse Ward Library (Freeland Rees Roberts)
2006
Prize: Best new building
Winner: Cambridge Water Company headquarters (Barber Casanovas Ruffles)
2005
Prize: Most efficient building
Winners: Faculty of English (Allies and Morrison), and the Faculty of Education (Building Design Partnership)
2004
Prize: Best work in the public realm
Winner: Senate House Hill streetscape, King's Parade (Cambridgeshire County Council)
2003
Prize: Best conservation, alteration or extension of an existing building
Winner: Extension to form new library at Newnham College (John Miller and Partners)
2002
Prize: Best new building
Winners: Hawthorne House, Bondi House and Broers House (Postgraduate accommodation for Churchill College), Storey's Way (Cottrell and Vermeulen), and the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Clarkson Road (Edward Cullinan Architects)
2001
Prize: Building of the century.
Winner: Parkside Pools (S & P Architects)
1998
Prize: Building of the decade
Winner: Judge Institute of Management Studies (John Outram Associates)
Pre-1998 awards
Until 1998 the awards were held every two years, with prizes given for best new building, best extension, alteration or conservation of an existing building, and streetwork which has made the greatest improvement to the city.
In 1998 a special prize was awarded for the building of the decade, and the success of this led to the building of the century prize being awarded in 2001.
1997
Prize: Best college or university building
Winner: Jesus College Quincentenary Library (Evans and Shalev)
Prize: Best new residential building
Winner: Flower Street (Paul Harney Associates)
Prize: Best Streetscape enhancement or landscaping scheme
Winner: Madingley Road Park & Ride (CCC Landscape Design Group and Paul Marshall, City Council Architects)
Prize: Special craftmanship award
Winner: Eaden Lilly shopfont (Barber Casanovas Ruffles)
1995
Prize: Best new building
Winner: University Athletics Centre (S & P Architects)
Prize: Best restoration, extension or alteration of an existing building
Winner: St John's College Library (Edward Cullinan Architects)
Prize: greatest improvement to the street scene
Winner: The cleaning of the Zion Baptist Church, East Road (Hirst Conservation)
1993
Prize: Best new building
Winner: Fitzwilliam College Chapel (MacCormac, Jamieson, Pritchard & Wright)
Prize: Best restoration, extension or alteration of an existing building
Winner: The Eagle, Bene't Street (Nick Cannell, Greene King & Co. Architects, and John Wisbey, Ison Wisbey Associates)
Prize: Best landscaping, paving or other works in the street scene
Winner: Sussex Street pedestrianisation (CCC Landscape Design Group)
1991
Prize: Best new building
Winner: Blue Boar Court, Trinity College (MacCormac, Jamieson, Pritchard & Wright)
Prize: Best landscaping, paving or other works in the street scene
Winner: Boundary wall repairs, Jesus College (Donald Insall Associates)
Prize: Best restoration, extension or alteration of an existing building
Winner: Ditchburn Place (Cambridge City Architects)
1989
Prize: Best new building
Winner: New Court, Fitzwilliam College (MacCormac, Jamieson, Pritchard & Wright)
Prize: Best restoration
Winner: Wall paintings at All Saint's Church, Jesus Lane (Hirst Conservation)
Prize: Best extension
Winner: 9 Hertford Street (Nicholas Hellawell)
