Saltire Society’s 2016 Housing Design Awards to celebrate 80 years of architecture

Nominations are now open for the 2016 Saltire Society Housing Design Awards with this year’s judging panel due to be guest chaired by renowned Scottish journalist, writer and television presenter Kirsty Wark.

2016 will also see research on 80 years of the Saltire Society Housing Awards taking place allowing the Society, the industry and the general public to better understand the longevity and significance of Scottish housing projects. This will be the basis for an open discussion between the past guest chairs of the Award, bringing the likes of Lesley Riddoch, Toby Paterson and Dick Cannon together to discuss the issues concerning Scottish place making.

Now in their 79th year, the Saltire Society Housing Design Awards celebrate excellence and achievement in Scottish house building and place-making and are open to entries from Owners, Clients, Architects, House-builders and Housing Developers of all shapes and sizes across Scotland. Projects completed between 1st January 2014 and 31st March 2016 can be nominated for five different categories:

Kirsty Wark, will guest chair an expert panel of judges who will select the overall winner in each category.

Last year’s winners included Laurieston Transformation Regeneration Area in Glasgow South, new build apartments in St Andrew’s Conservation Area, a renovation project in Faichem, Invergarry and Murphy House, a contemporary new build within the World Heritage Site of Edinburgh New Town.

The Scottish Government continue to sponsor the ‘Innovation in Housing’ award in 2016 which sees a cash prize of £1,500 for the winner.

Submissions must be received by noon on 14th March with the awards ceremony due to take place at the Centre for Carbon Innovation in Edinburgh on 23rd June 2016.

Kirsty Wark said: “I am very much looking forward to chairing this year’s Housing Design Awards in such a significant year for the Saltire Society, particularly when 2016 is also the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design in Scotland. There’s so much creativity in the housing sector in Scotland, such thoughtful forward thinking architecture and design which enhances our cityscapes and landscapes, so that our houses can be a joy to experience, either dwelling in them…or admiring them!”

Jude Barber, convenor of the Saltire Society Housing Design Awards, added: “This year’s special ‘Test of Time’ project, which will allow the Society, the industry and the general public to better understand the longevity and significance of Scottish housing projects, is a great way to recognise the depth and range of housing excellence in Scotland. Now in their 79th year, the Saltire Society Housing Design Awards are an important means of recognising and celebrating outstanding achievements in housing design and the important contribution they make to Scotland’s culture and society.

“We are particularly pleased to welcome Kirsty Wark to the role of Annual Guest Chair. Kirsty is one of Britain’s most experienced television journalists, winning several major awards for her work. We think she will be a terrific addition to this year’s awards ceremony.

“On behalf of the Saltire Society and the Housing Award Panel, I am delighted to launch this year’s call for entries and wish everyone the very best of luck.”