The Ramsgate Design Awards ceremony was held at Radford House on September the 15th. Nominators and representatives of the shortlisted projects gathered for a lively but informal evening of drinks and nibbles to hear the winning candidates in each of the various categories. (Thanks are due to Waitrose for suppling a generous helping of soft drinks to the evening).
The awards were last held in 2018 in pre Covid days with the Falstaff Hotel as the winning project. This year’s awards were arranged in association with Ramsgate Town Council with an aim of promoting good design and care about the quality of the built environment in Ramsgate, whether constructing from scratch or repairing an old building.
The Ramsgate Design Awards received 32 nominations in the various categories. All the nominated projects varied widely in their nature and character, so the independent judging panel, had their work cut out to pick the winners in each category. The judges were Jane Hetherington. RTC Councillor, David Gullick, Architect, Gabriel Holland, Interior Designer, with Sue Gyde and Paul Shearer from the Ramsgate Society. Their first task was to draw up the shortlist in each category and members of the judging panel then variously visited the completed projects to help with their assessment.
Because the projects were so different in terms of scale and ambition, the judges used several criteria to select the final winners. Nominations were assessed not just on their design qualities, but also on their connection to the surrounding buildings as well as their contribution to the community. How the project overcame obstacles and the efforts involved also played a part in the judge’s decisions.
Winner of the prestigious Building of the Year award went to the Friends of Ellington Park for their renovation of the popular park in the centre of Ramsgate. The landscaping, bandstand, and new café all combine to make this project an outstanding feat of community effort.
For a complete list of winners in the other categories see below.
RESIDENTIAL – BEST NEW BUILD.
WINNER THE OLD COURT HOUSE A sensitively designed intervention into a streetscape filled with historic and listed buildings. The contemporary detailing of the new build parts was matched thoughtfully with the older elements of the street as well as with the Old Court House itself.
HIGHLY COMMENDED POPPY FIELDS Excellent use of a formerly derelict plot of land. The development of sustainable and affordable social housing work within difficult parameters but matched well with the surrounding post war housing.
COMMENDED ROYAL SANDS COTTINGTON GARDENS HARBOUR COURT
RESIDENTIAL – BEST RETROFIT
WINNER BREAD FACTORY A large scale restoration, including the removal of large amounts of asbestos, of a former industrial building designed originally by E.W.Pugin. The Grade Two listed structure has been sensitively repaired and the new elements designed to complement the former flour mill.
HIGHLY COMMENDED COURTSTAIRS MANOR The way forward in bringing a contemporary twist to the original features of the beautiful manor house of 1875.
COMMERCIAL – BEST NEW BUILD
WINNER FIRE STATION A striking approach to a new build project in Ramsgate with a brave and bold contemporary style.
COMMENDED LALEHAM GAP SCHOOL
COMMERCIAL – BEST RETROFIT/SHOPFRONT
JOINT WINNERS BUBBAWARES POSTIVE RETAIL Both shops and renovation projects contribute positively to the ongoing restoration of this important street.
HIGHLY COMMENDED ASWASISNOW Another committed local individual is applauded for the sensitive restoration of this shopfront especially the work to repair and retain the stained glass window.
COMMENDED NO 36, ADDINGTON STREET THE ICE HOUSE
COMMERCIAL – BEST RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY
WINNER VINCENT’S CAFÉ, SPENCER SQUARE The leaseholders have revitalised a moribund building with style and elan and brought both life and tennis back to the square.
HIGHLY COMMENDED HONEYSUCKLE INN WOODEN BOX GALLERY AND CAFE Both projects have creatively refreshed these buildings and brought a welcome community spirit back into the streets.
COMMENDED THE MODERN BOULANGERIE SAN CLU HOTEL
COMMERCIAL – BEST WORKSPACE
WINNER WW MARTIN HEAD OFFICE Creative use of the old joinery workshop by this long-established local family building firm to create a bright and modern office building.
HIGHLY COMMENDED 9, CHAPEL PLACE LANE A discreet and sensitively constructed potter’s studio on this formerly abandoned patch of land.
COMMENDED RAMSGATE STATION UPSTAIRS@TMB
PUBLIC REALM
WINNER ELLINGTON PARK Fabulous effort over a long period of time to bring the café, a restored bandstand and some well-designed landscaping to this much appreciated community park.
HIGHLY COMMENDED WHEE! Inventive and simple intervention to challenge, entertain and enliven a public toilet frontage.
HIGHLY COMMENDED KENT STEPS A charming and simple project which involved local schoolchildren and Ramsgate’s Pugin heritage.
COMMENDED THE BEACONS
THANET AWARD
WINNER TKE STUDIOS
A magnificent piece of one-woman philanthropy to renovate this former public baths to found an artist’s community which provides generous studio space to visiting artists from around the world.
HIGHLY COMMENDED CARL FREEDMAN GALLERY MARGATE CAVES FORT ROAD HOTEL Three projects which all demonstrate thoughtful attention to design detail and bring life and style back to Margate’s town centre.
COMMENDED CHARTWELL HOUSE QUEEN ELIZABETH QUEEN MOTHER HOSPITAL A&E
BUILDING OF THE YEAR
ELLINGTON PARK The community group established over ten years ago worked hard to get National Heritage Lottery funding to restore the Victorian features of the park bring a new café, toilets, bandstand and play area to this community park which was under considerable threat.
The judges were delighted to award this year’s top prize to this amazing achievement.