The Horizons Centre in Ealing has been crowned overall winner in the RICS London Awards 2008. The awards ceremony, hosted by last year’s winner the Emirates Stadium, saw the Horizons Centre beat heavyweight competition from the O2 Arena and St Pancras Station.
The RICS Awards celebrate excellence across four categories of Building Conservation, Community Benefit, Regeneration and Sustainability. Last year London’s overall winner was the high profile Emirates Stadium Regeneration Project, which went on to win national RICS honours.
In contrast the Horizons Centre project was carried out with only a small capital budget. The centre provides specialist education and support to young people leaving Council care or moving away from foster parents.
It has been successful in improving both the educational attainment – better than twice the national average – and the life-chances of looked-after children. Prior to the completion of the centre the project was being run from a number of different sites which limited its ability to grow and develop.
Fulham Palace was the overall London runner up following restoration work to restore huge sections of the building. The Palace had been in only partial use for the previous 30 years, with large areas of the upper floors unoccupied and becoming increasingly distressed. The project ensured that the future of the historically important site was secured.
Chairman of the London judges, Barry Woodman, said; `The Horizons Centre can only be described as extraordinary. In an unpromising setting, with a small capital budget, the London Borough of Ealing has created a pioneering building which is an incredibly important resource for the community.
`The built environment is a powerful force, it can really inspire people and the centre has played a valuable part in improving the life-chances of children in the community. The design of the building entirely fits with its function as a support base.'
RICS London 2008 Awards – Full London winners list
Building Conservation Winner – Fulham Palace, entered by Thomas Ford & Partners
Building Conservation runner-up - the Royal Festival Hall entered by Allies and Morrison
Community Benefit Winner – The Horizons Centre entered by London Borough of Ealing
Regeneration winner – The O2 Arena entered by HOK Sport Architecture
Regeneration runner up - St Pancras International Station entered by London & Continental Railways
Sustainability winner - Larmenier and Sacred Heart Primary School, Hammersmith
Craftsmanship in Conservation special award – St. George’s Church, Bloomsbury entered by St Blaise Ltd
Overall winner - The Horizons Centre entered by London Borough of Ealing
Overall runner up - Fulham Palace Restoration Project - Phase 1 entered by Thomas Ford & Partners
