The Ealing Civic Society held its annual awards ceremony on Tuesday 20 October, welcoming a packed audience to The Polygon at St Mary’s Church in South Ealing for an evening celebrating the local community.
Shortlisted schemes were introduced in a presentation by Harbinder Birdi, one of the judges, followed by presentation of certificates to the winners by Nicholas Boys Smith, Founder and Chair of Create Streets, who then treated members and guests to a lively and interesting talk entitled The Search for Somewhere: why traditional wisdom is shaping tomorrow’s places that referenced extensive research into what makes places desirable and beautiful.
It is an impressive 38 years since 1989 when the Society first introduced the award scheme to recognise and encourage building and environmental projects that make a noteworthy contribution to the community in the Borough of Ealing. Winners receive a certificate and a full award winner may display a specially designed Society plaque.
This year, the Society was particularly pleased to have considered a strong shortlist of nominations and to have been able to make a full award and also to present certificates to a highly commended and two commended projects:
Full Award: Ealing Studios. This multi-million pound expansion of the studios includes Stage 1 and the Balcon Building, together providing a 14,000 sq ft sound stage, two advanced workshops (7,000 sq ft total) and 25,000+ sq ft of modern office space. Both buildings are designed to be Net Zero Carbon and set a new benchmark for the creative industries in the UK. Alongside these new facilities, 10,000 sq ft of existing production space has been refurbished as part of the site’s overall redevelopment, where Grade II-listed stages sit alongside sustainable innovation. The judges were impressed by the use of on-site renewable technology and the continuation of the original 1920s style architecture.
Highly Commended: South Ealing Cemetery. Located adjacent to an estate with many issues of social deprivation, the cemetery was a large, under-utilised green space with a recent history of anti-social behaviour causing many residents to avoid it. The wildlife, diversity of tree species, unexplored local history and the impressive Gothic Revival architecture of the disused chapels all contributed to the view that the opportunity existed for the cemetery to become a very special place under the right stewardship. Through regular work parties Ealing Parks Foundation developed a group of volunteers who carried out many improvement works in the cemetery, also cleaning and pigeon proofing the entrance archway and installing history information panels and a photo exhibition on the perimeter of the chapels for the benefit of casual visitors. The judges welcomed the many benefits to the community delivered by this volunteer led project.
Commended: North Acton Square. North Acton Square is a community-led public-space project beside North Acton Underground Station. The Republic - Community Projects took on a five-year licence from the London Borough of Ealing and, working with Ealing Council, OPDC and local partners, transformed the underused and unmaintained square into an active, welcoming place for local residents, workers, students and visitors. The scheme introduced six adapted 20-foot shipping containers for small independent businesses and creative occupiers and a new community building, known as the Village Hut. Physical improvements were accompanied by renewed planting, removal of graffiti, deep cleaning and the opening up of views from Victoria Road. Community participation has continued after completion through regular volunteer gardening, public events, creative activity and affordable workspace.
Commended: Wyndham Road. Refurbishment and extension of an Edwardian terraced house to provide contemporary living spaces to suit a young and growing family. The project used blended traditional and contemporary materials and externally retained a distinctive mimosa tree that became a feature of the garden space.
Other shortlisted entries this year were:
Fallen Oak. A low-carbon refurbishment of an Arts and Crafts house within Brentham Garden Suburb using a palette of reclaimed materials procured locally and including timber from fallen West London trees for the new garden room.
UWL Entrance. Transformation of the main entrance, reception and associated external areas at the University of West London’s St Mary’s Road Campus to create a contemporary, welcoming and fully accessible environment incorporating new external landscaping.
197 Pitshanger Lane. A new two storey residential building with roof level accommodation, providing 8 self-contained apartments, amenity space, refuse and cycle storage on a prominent corner plot located in a part of the borough well served by public transport and a local neighbourhood centre.
Buckingham Avenue. A mixed tenure project delivering forty-one new homes for the London Borough of Ealing, comprising 25 affordable rental properties and 16 shared ownership homes across four residential blocks.
Sussex Crescent. A redevelopment of the former Northolt Park Social Club site, delivering 26 high-quality affordable rent apartments for the London Borough of Ealing. The scheme provides much-needed affordable housing within a carefully considered and designed four-storey residential building.
Ealing Civic Society Chairman, Ann Chapman, reminded attendees that the aim of the award was to promote and celebrate good design across all kinds of building and landscape. The Society’s award scheme was an early promoter of good design, which is now increasingly being recognised as an important contributor to a sense of place and community. She highlighted the variety and quality of schemes nominated this year, and encouraged all present to spread the word about the awards more widely.
Further details may be seen at Ealing Civic Society's website ealingcivicsociety.org.