THE prestigious York Design Awards will celebrate and promote good design across the city for a 12th year after being launched this week.

The 2018 York Design Awards were launched with a thought-provoking lecture by architect Bob Allies OBE of Allies and Morrison, which is developing the masterplan for York Central. Property developers, housebuilders, architects, building owners and homeowners can enter their projects at www.yorkdesignawards.org before the closing date of March 21.

The launch event took place on Wednesday at the York Theatre Royal, winner of two York Design Awards last year, one in the restoration, refurbishment and conservation category, the other being The Press People’s Award, the only award voted for by the public.

The audience of more than 150 property professionals were inspired by Bob Allies of Allies and Morrison ‘Fabric of Place’ lecture in which he shared the masterplanning guidelines and principles that the architectural practice creates for each project it undertakes. Mr Allies focused his lecture on the Kings Cross Central masterplan. He highlighted the need to maximise existing potential within a site, create public spaces first, develop a variety of mixed-uses and to remain flexible throughout the design process.

Janet Hopton, chairman of York Design Awards, said: “Bob Allies has vast experience of creating hugely successful masterplans and, after listening to his lecture and hearing the approach his firm takes to projects, I’m confident that the York Central masterplan is in safe hands. We’re so pleased that he has helped us to launch the 2018 York Design Awards. We urge the local property and construction community to submit their projects completed in the last three years for independent scrutiny and receive the recognition and reward that good design deserves.”

Full details on the categories and how to enter the awards are available at www.yorkdesignawards.org. Winners will be announced and presented with their awards at the presentation evening which takes place on June 25 at the University of York’s Ron Cooke Hub.

Previous winners include The Chocolate Works new build phase 1, Little Knavesmire Sports Pavilion, The Rattle Owl, York Art Gallery, The Hiscox Building, York Racecourse, and St. Everilda’s Church extension. The awards programme operates with the support of a number of sponsors who have a strong association with the city. Hiscox are once again the main sponsor, with additional sponsors Arup, O’Neill Associates, City of York Council, Shepherd Group, York Science Park, The Partners Group, United By Design, Virgin Trains, Ravage Productions, The Grand Hotel, George F White, York Civic Trust, Crombie Wilkinson, Fulprint, Bedern Hall, York Conservation Trust and York Guild of Building.