The winners of the Scottish Civic Trust 2022 My Place Awards and My Place Photography Competition were announced on 25th May.
My Place Awards
The My Place Awards celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality. They are supported by the Scottish Government, and are unique in Scotland as a national celebration of good design and conservation nominated by local people.
Winner: Montrose Playhouse
The Montrose Playhouse project began in 2012 after a new swimming facility was built in Montrose, causing local people to wonder what would become of the old pool hall. David Paton, associate Director at Crawford Architecture and eventual Chair of Montrose Playhouse Project SCIO, posted his thoughts online about how the building could be re-imagined as a cinema.Within a few hours, 500 people had liked the post and urged for the designs to become a reality. Within a week, the Montrose Playhouse Project was born.
In 2017, the Montrose Playhouse Project SCIO committee purchased the disused building from Angus Council for £1. They then held a community event to strip the building back to a shell, engaging over 80 volunteers and saving the project around £250,000 and six months of time.
Construction began in 2021, and over ten months, the former pool hall was converted into three screening rooms with a combined capacity of just under 400 people. The Playhouse also features education and exhibition facilities, retail space and a cafe bar. Since its opening in October 2021, the Playhouse has seen a six percent lift in its operating budget, and over 52,000 cinema tickets were sold.
The judges said: “Montrose Playhouse is an inspiring example of how communities can come together to develop innovative places and achieve a positive change for local people. It’s clear that Montrose Playhouse has established itself as a versatile cultural community asset, stimulating the local economy and providing an accessible and aesthetically pleasing social space for all ages.”
My Place Photography
The My Place Photography Competition encourages young people aged 4-18 to use photography to explore the buildings, architecture and archaeology in the places they live. The theme of the 2022 competition was My Place, My Space, My Story.
Ruby Ionides from North Walls Community School, Orkney won the Primary-age category for their photograph ‘White Wood Window and Reflections’.
Louise Mcintyre from Kilsyth Academy, North Lanarkshire won the Secondary-age category for their photograph ‘Street View’.
Billy Halliday from Gargieston Primary, East Ayrshire won the Young Persons’ Choice Award for their photograph ‘Seaside Sunset’.
2023 entries are now open! Learn more on our My Place Awards and My Place Photography pages.
Download the full media release about the My Place Award winner Montrose Playhouse, and the full media release about the My Place Photography winners.