Southend Design Awards – winners announced

The hotly contested awards, which have been staged annually since 1994, aim to recognise and encourage excellence in local development.

This year's judging panel was chaired by Councillor Mark Flewitt, Executive Councillor for Planning and Transport.

It included representatives from the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Milton Conservation Society.

The New Build Award went to Westcliff High School for Girls and their architects Emptage Associates for the school's new English block.

The panel said the development was "well designed" and represented a "bold contrast" to the existing school buildings.

It added: "The use of bold colours has added vibrancy to the project and the entrance with the large overhang is particularly striking."

The Conservation Award went to the Clifftown Studios development at Clifftown Church and its architects Thomas Ford and Partners.

The panel said: "This was a very exciting and well considered scheme that has provided a new resource for the University and for the town."

The panel particularly liked the development's subtle integration into the street scene, its intimate theatre space and the care taken to retain and record historic features.

The Conservation & Sustainability Award was won by Southend YMCA's Eco Hub at St John's Stables, designed by Artillery Architecture and Interior Design.

It was deemed: "A well considered and well executed renovation of an historic building that has created an attractive and sustainable working environment."

Andrews Downie & Partners' Boundary Way development on the old Shoebury Garrison was commended in the New Build category.

The Highways and Traffic Management Group of Southend Council was also commended in the Public Space category for its work at Elmer Approach.

Councillor Flewitt said: "This competition always provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the architectural ideas and innovations taking place across our town.

"This year the panel chose some extremely varied and distinguished winners. These buildings and projects are a credit to Southend and will help us develop our current and future heritage."