The Leaf Room, Dundee Wins The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2018
The winning and commended projects in the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2018 were announced today, 20 March, by John McNairney, Scottish Government Chief Planner in The Lighthouse, Glasgow. The Awards are supported by the Scottish Government.
The winning project is The Leaf Room, Dundee
The Leaf Room was designed for patients, staff and visitors to Ninewells Hospital and Medical School. It sits beautifully in the landscape at the edge of an area of mature woodland just to the south of the hospital. The roof has the appearance of a folded leaf, which is tilted at one end to assist in the collection of grey water for recycling. The roof overhangs the main activity space which can be used for various purposes ranging from talks and concerts to children’s sessions and quiet contemplation.
Gaby Laing, Heritage Officer at the Scottish Civic Trust said:
“The Leaf Room totally encapsulates what the My Place Awards are all about: a beautifully and sensitively designed asset loved and used by the community. Modest in its approach, the Leaf Room truly delivers far beyond its remit. In 2018, all eyes may be on Dundee for the opening of the new V&A, but the Leaf Room goes to show how much Dundee already has to be proud of in terms of civic pride and architecture.”
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards were established in 2010 by the Scottish Civic Trust. They are unique in Scotland as they are a national celebration of good local design and conservation as nominated and evaluated by local people. This is not an industry award. Their aim is to identify projects or buildings that have had a positive impact in a local neighbourhood and have delivered positive benefits to that community. Entries in all categories will be assessed on their architectural, heritage and/or place making benefits.
The awards also recognise Civic Champions who have made outstanding contributions to placemaking in their local community and/or celebrating and protecting the local historic environment. Instead of inviting nominations the judges chose to recognise individuals connected to the shortlisted projects who shone through the judging process. TwoCivic Championswere chosen this year. Betty Cosgrove, Chair of Calton Area Association, was singled out for her contribution to the community in Calton, and her engagement with St Luke and the Winged Ox in Glasgow. The DG1 Neighbours were rewarded for their work with the Dumfries Neighbourhood Street Design Project.
The winners of the My Place Photography Competition for young people were also announced.
Anna Skrzypek, aged 9 from Mount Florida Primary School, Glasgow, won the Primary School category for her photograph, ‘Perfect Sunlit Church’.
Amy Lieberman, aged 17 from West College Scotland, Paisley, won the Secondary School category for her photograph, ‘Wildlife’.
Nicholas Waterson-Boyd, aged 17 from West College Scotland, Paisley, won the Young Persons’ Choice Award in support of Year of Young People 2018 for his photograph, ‘Isolation’.
FULL LIST OF MY PLACE AWARD WINNERS AND COMMENDATIONS
Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2018
WINNER
The Leaf Room, Ninewells Community Garden, Dundee
Nominated by: Dundee Civic Trust
Architect: Jonathan Reeve, the Voight Partnership
Client: NHS Tayside, Forestry Commission Scotland and Ninewells Community Garden
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Widows and Bairns, Eyemouth, Scottish Borders
Nominated by: 125 Memorial Association
Designer: Jill Watson Studio
Client: 125 Memorial Association
SMALL PROJECT AWARD
Belville Biodiversity Garden, Greenock, Inverclyde
Nominated by: Belville Community Garden Trust
Designer: Laura Reilly
Client: Belville Community Garden Trust
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Pairc Niseaboist, Isle of Harris, Western Isles
Nominated by: Rural Design
Designer: Rural Design
Client: West Harris Trust
COMMENDED
An Crùbh, Isle of Skye, Highland
Nominated by: Camuscross and Duisdale Initiative
Designer: WT Architecture
Client: Camuscross and Duisdale Initiative
COMMENDED
Kirkmichael, Black Isle, Highland
Nominated by: McGregor Bowes
Architect: McGregor Bowes
Client: The Kirkmichael Trust
COMMENDED
Lamer Island Battery, Dunbar, East Lothian
Nominated by: rankinfraser landscape architecture
Architect: rankinfraser landscape architecture
Client: Dunbar Harbour Trust
COMMENDED
New Cumnock Town Hall and Outdoor Swimming Pool, New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Nominated by: The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust
Architect: Dovecote Architecture
CIVIC CHAMPION
WINNER
BETTY COSGROVE
For support to the following project:
St Luke’s and the Winged Ox and her work with the Calton Area Association
WINNER
DG1 NEIGHBOURS
For support to the following project:
Dumfries Neighbourhood Street Design Project
Full details on all the nominated projects and people can be found at www.myplaceawards.org.uk