An Ealing Council building has scooped a prestigious award, seeing off tough competition from the O2 Arena, Fulham Palace and the St Pancras Station.
The Horizons Centre, in Cherrington Road, Hanwell, won the accolade at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) annual London awards on Monday, 19 May. The Horizons Centre, which offers support, education and training to young people leaving Council care or moving away from foster parents in the borough won London Project of the Year Award.
Judges were impressed with the design of the centre, which involved many of the young people that use the facility. The scheme also involved the refurbishment and redevelopment of two derelict Victorian warehouse buildings. It will now go on to represent London in the national awards.
Council Leader, Jason Stacey, said: “This award goes to show that local buildings and projects designed on a smaller budget can be as visually appealing as multi-million pound grand designs. The Horizons Centre provides a great service to young people and I am delighted that this scheme has received the recognition it deserves.”
The RICS Awards celebrate excellence across the four categories of Building Conservation, Community Benefit, Regeneration and Sustainability. The Horizon Centre won the Community Benefit category and went on to win the Overall Category. Last year’s London Winner was Kew Palace.
Ealing Council’s Chief Architect, Gavin Leonard, said: “I was delighted when I heard we had won, especially over the likes of the O2 Arena. I feel very proud to have played a key part in the design process for this centre, which benefits so many young people.”
The RICS National Awards will be held in October.
