AN CRIDHE WINS MY PLACE AWARDS 2013 Duncan Campbell is Civic Champion

An Cridhe, designed by Anderson Bell Christie architects,  is a multi-purpose facility which serves as a social and cultural lynchpin for the islanders as well as providing business opportunities.  An Cridhe improves the long term sustainability of the island by increasing confidence in the viability of life on Coll and by encouraging sustainable economic growth.  The name  An Cridhe translates from Gaelic as 'the heart'.

The judges of the awards said:
"An Cridhe is a tour-de-force of community-led development.  The project, remarkable in its simplicity, works on so many levels.  Value-for-money comes screaming out of the design and concept.  The project is vibrant, dynamic, multi-functioning and achieves what it set out to do - become the heart of the flourishing community of Coll.  It is a worthy winner."

Duncan Campbell, winner of the Civic Champion award has planned, implemented and facilitated the funds raised for several extremely successful projects, including: Colinton's Public Art Project, the Phoebe Anna Traquair Railings and the Long Steps.  He is described as a listener,  a communicator as well as a sleeves-up, hands-on person.

 The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards, supported by the Scottish Government, celebrate buildings, landscape, public realm and civic projects that have had a positive impact in local neighbourhoods and delivered tangible benefits to their communities. The Civic Champion was announced as a new category in 2011 for individuals who have made a significant contribution to heritage of placemaking in their local community.  There were 25 entries to the main award and 5 nominations for the Civic Champion category.

The judging panel for the 2013 Awards was:
Alistair Scott (Chair), architect and Scottish Civic Trustee
Les Scott, Scottish Government
Fiona Sinclair, architect and Past President, Glasgow Institute of Architects
John Mark di Ciacca, property director
Heather Sim, Chief Executive, Space Unlimited.

Derek Mackay, Planning Minister said:
"The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards celebrate the real difference good architecture and good design can make to the lives of communities.  Scottish Ministers are pleased to support these Awards, which also recognise the important contribution made by committed individuals to improving Scotland's places through the Civic Champion award."

Alistair Scott, chair of the judging panel said:
"This year we had a record number of entries to the My Place Awards which are going from strength to strength.  It was a privilege for the judges to visit so many fantastic examples of community-led projects across Scotland from a chapel to a dark sky observatory.  This award scheme is all about places and the people who work hard to make them special."

www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk/myplaceawards

 FULL LIST OF WINNING AND COMMENDED ENTRIES

WINNER
An Cridhe, Isle of Coll
Nominated by Development Coll
Designer: Anderson Bell Christie Architects

HIGHLY COMMENDED
The Barony Centre, West Kilbride
Nominated by West Kilbride Civic Society
Designer: Ingenium Archial Ltd

The Chapel of St Albert the Great, Edinburgh
Nominated by The Cockburn Association
Designer: Simpson and Brown Architects

Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, Dalmellington
Nominated by Dalmellington Community Council
Designer: G D Lodge Architects

COMMENDED
The Merchant's House, Brechin
Nominated by City of Brechin Civic Trust
Designer: James F Stephen Architects

The North Kelvin Meadow, Glasgow
Nominated by The Children's Wood Playgroup
Designer: The North Kelvin Meadow Campaign

WINNER, CIVIC CHAMPION AWARD
Duncan Campbell
Nominated by Colinton Conservation Trust and Colinton Amenity Association

RUNNER UP
Cecilia James
Nominated by Lerwick Community Council