1.1 The purpose of the award is to acknowledge and encourage exemplar projects in respect of new buildings, countryside management or conservation work in the County of Suffolk. It will also highlight how such projects can be truly sustainable and address climate change problems. The aim is to ensure the environment we leave to future generations is better than the one we inherited.
2.1 The award is divided into three prizes. The three prizes are:-
• Alfred Williams Prize for Modern buildings or extensions of distinction and excellence achieved in the best environmentally and sustainable manner utilising, where possible, local materials and minimising its carbon footprint.
It will apply to building and structures of all uses and purpose, e.g. residential, commercial, recreational, industrial, bridges etc.
• Duke of Grafton Prize for Exemplary work to protect or enhance the historic built heritage
Eligible schemes would include repair works or new additions, alterations or extensions to listed buildings/structures, historic buildings/structures or work to improve or enhance their setting. It would also include works to improve the appearance of a conservation area or built area of the county of clear value. Works to the public realm spaces would also qualify.
• East Anglian Daily Times Prize for Exemplary and environmentally sensitive work to manage, protect or enhance the Countryside or Coastline.
Exemplary work to manage and protect the countryside and coastline and works of all scale and size will be eligible from private individuals or public and statutory authorities or bodies.
2.2 The winning entry in each prize will receive £2,500.
3.1 Applications are open under the three prize headings. To be eligible, the works or development must be:-
• within the County of Suffolk; and
• completed between the 1st January, 2006 and the 31st December, 2007
3.2 There are no application forms. Applicants; either clients, architects, designers, or builders should submit an application setting out why they consider the project meets the objectives of the award and prize.
3.3 The application should be on a maximum of four sides of A4. The text size should be 12pt. In addition, up to ten before and after photographs or relevant drawings can accompany the application in a j-peg format. Applications must be via e-mail to adrienne@suffolksociety.org
3.4 The application must also include the following information:-
• A title for the project or description.
• The full postal address and post code for the application.
• Contact details of those making the application and their role in the project.
• Confirmation that the building or project owners have agreed to the submission of the application.
• Details of the client’s brief or instructions. This must be in as much detail as possible.
• The details of the person submitting the application, their role in the project and their address and e-mail for correspondence.
• The details of all those involved in the project, the subject of the application including client, designers/architect/structural engineers or other specialist consultants, contractor or builder and main sub contractors. Any important third parties should be identified.
• Details of any planning approvals necessary and obtained.
• Details of how the project was made as sustainable as possible and addressed climate change problems. This will be a critical and influential factor when applications are considered.
• Details of the start and completion date of the project.
3.5 Applications must be received by noon on Friday 25th April, 2008
4.1 The receipt of an application will be acknowledged by the Society.
4.2 All applications will, after the closing date, be submitted to a panel of judges totally independent of the Society. The independent judges will be experts and specialist in the disciplines of design, modern architecture, conservation and the countryside. The judges’ details are:-
4.3 The judges will examine the applications in detail and make site visits to those short listed for a possible prize. Those submitting an application and short listed for a site visit will be contacted and asked to take part in the site visit to answer any questions that the judges might have. It is envisaged this part of the process will take place in July and August, 2008. Those applications not short listed to a possible prize will be informed at this stage, probably in June.
4.4 The judges will, after the site visits, inform the Society as to those entries which should be awarded a prize on a mutually convenient date and time. By making the submission, the owners of the building must agree to the judges undertaking a detailed assessment site visit and will give unrestricted access to the building or site.
4.5 The Society will announce the prizes in September. All applicants short listed for a visit will be informed of the judge’s decision.
4.6 The Society will ask judges to set out the reasons for their decisions and will, if requested, forward these to applicants.
4.7 The Judges’ decision is final.
4.8 Presentation of the prizes will take place at a special event organised by the Society probably in late October or early November, 2008.