Which is your favourite new or refurbished building in York? The Press People’s Award category of the York Design Awards gives you the chance to have your say. STEPHEN LEWIS outlines the contenders.

Some of York’s finest new or renovated buildings will be in the running for coveted awards at a ceremony in York on July 1.

Among the most notable projects vying for York Design Awards this year are Holgate Windmill, City of York Council’s new West Offices HQ, the sports village at the University of York, the refurbished York Cemetery Chapel, and the first phase of the Derwenthorpe development.

But the awards are about more than just big new developments or landmark renovations. And there are plenty of smaller schemes in the running, too – including extensions to private houses, the renovation of the clock at St Martin’s Church in Coney Street, and the conversion of an old chapel in Fulford into offices.

There are more that 30 entries in all, vying for a number of different titles, including best new build, best conservation project, best renovation, and best public or open space.

This year, readers of The Press are also being asked to vote for their favourite building or project. More than 20 schemes involved in this year’s Design Awards have put themselves forward for The Press People’s Award voted for by you.

They are all listed on these pages. Because of space constraints, we haven’t been able to include photographs of all of them. But if you visit our website, you’ll be able to see every single entry for The Press People’s Award, along with photographs.

Janet Hopton, chair of the York Design Awards, said the People’s Award was hugely important. The other categories in the York Design Awards are chosen by a panel of industry professionals. This is the only one in which the ordinary people of York can have a say.

“It is so important that we all take an interest in both the new build and conservation of existing buildings, both of which determine how York will look in the future,”

Mrs Hopton said: “The Press People’s Award raises awareness of the excellent work being done by architects, developers and owners in York and gives residents the opportunity to express their view on our changing townscape.”

So study the details of the buildings and projects listed here, and if you can, look at our website, which gives more details and photographs.

Then vote for whichever you think is best – the building or project you think does most to improve this wonderful city of ours, or which simply makes your heart soar…

• To see pictures of all the entrants in awards, and to place your vote, visit yorkpress.co.uk/designawards.

The deadline for entries is the close of office hours next Thursday, June 27. The winner will be announced at the York Design Awards evening at the Department of Theatre Film and Television at the University of York on Monday, July 1.


The contenders

• Derwenthorpe, first phase (new build): Cluster of 64 eco-houses with emphasis on contemporary design and community. Richards Partington Architects for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust/David Wilson. “A mixed tenure community of …contemporary, energy efficient housing.”

• Hampton by Hilton Hotel, Tanner Row (new build): City centre hotel. Architects: Crease Strickland Parkins for Hampton by Hilton, York. “A well-mannered response to a difficult site.”

• The Old Chapel, Main St, Fulford (renovation/ reuse): Disused Methodist chapel converted to offices. Be Inspired Design for Scarllettabott. “Conversion to create a contemporary, functional and inspirational working environment.”

• Langwith College, University of York (new build): A 651-bed student campus with amenities building. Architects: Careyjones Chapman- tolcher for University of York.

• Holgate Windmill restoration including new sails (conservation): PPIY Architects for City of York Council.

• York Sport Village, University of York (new build): Swimming pool, health and fitness suites, dance studios and football pitches. Space Architecture for University of York.

• 1, Elmlands Grove (new build, domestic): Back garden room extension at detached private house. Architects: Fining Associates. “The brief was to create a contemporary extension to provide living space for a growing family.”

• York Cemetery chapel (conservation): Refurbishment and new floor. Architect: Peter G Pace for York Cemetery Trust. “Underfloor heating with new stone flooring.”

• Acomb Green Play Area (open space/landscape): Large timber-style play equipment. Designer: SJ Danby Ltd for City of York Council. “The key requirement was to create a stimulating and challenging play area which provided opportunities for a wide age range.”

• West Offices & The Canopy (mixed scheme): Conversion of York’s original railway station to council offices, with renovation and significant new build. Also original station canopy relocated and restored. Architect: Crease Strickland Parkins for S Harrison and Buccleuch Property. “The best way of conserving old buildings is to find appropriate new uses for them.”

• West Offices, Landscaped Courtyard (open space/landscape): Landscaped courtyard around former station building converted into council offices. Architect: Crease Strickland Parkins for S Harrison and Buccleuch Property. “Creating new public realm for York.”

• The Christian Science Church, Kilburn Road (new build): Fleming Homes for The Christian Science Church. “The building has a very high spec and is contemporary in style but retains an element of ecclesiastical spirit.”

• St Martin’s Church, Coney Street – repair of historic clock (conservation): Simmonsherriff for The Parochial Church Council of St Helen with St Martin. “The clock bracket and drum will remain an important landmark in Coney Street for the next 50 years.”

• 64 Haxby Road (renovation/ reuse): Refurbishment of small Victorian end terrace with new roof garden. Michael Hammill. “A dramatic alteration to what was once a well-known auto parts shop.”

• The Old Stables, Marygate (renovation/ reuse): Derelict former coach house converted to new home. Brierley Groom Architects for Rogers Homes (Ogleforth) Ltd. “The home represents a conversion programme which demonstrates that forward planning, with environmental consideration, is truly the way forward for all new homes.”

• 69 Bootham (renovation/ reuse): Conversion of former shop into a home. Fining Associates. “Modern living requirements achieved whilst maintaining the integrity of the restored grade II listed building.”

• The Lawrance, 74 Micklegate (renovation/ reuse): Mews conversion with some new build. White Rose Architectural Ltd for The Lawrance (Hotel Living) Ltd. “A well-executed design utilising a mix of materials.”

• Upper Ten, 16 High Petergate (renovation/ reuse): Edwardian terrace shop remodelled with new single-storey extension. Architect: Bramhall Blenkharn for Upper Ten. “Architecturally the aim was to produce a design that clearly stood out as being a modern insertion, but that was not detrimental to its surroundings.”

• 35 St Saviourgate/10 Spen Lane (refurbishment): Conversion and extension of a pair of listed houses. Architect: Richard Parkin. “A sensitive restoration of a prominent corner group.”

• Lady Hewley Cottages, St Saviourgate (refurbishment): Victorian almshouses refurbished with minor extensions. R & JP Architecture & Planning for The Lady Hewley Trust. “To improve the living conditions of the elderly almshouse residents.”

• 2 Dalton Terrace (open space/landscape): Contemporary landscaping and planting in small rear garden. Garden designer: Lizzie Tulip. “A design solution to maximise the use of space.”

• University of York Heslington East campus (open space/landscape): Landscaping, including new lake. TGP Landscape Architects (North) for University of York. “A principle of the 1962 university development plan was ‘buildings in a landscape setting’ and this has been reaffirmed for Heslington East.”