Shortlist for 2008 Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award announced
The shortlist for this year’s Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award was announced on 12 June.
Twenty-one outstanding projects shortlisted for this year’s Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award show the impact of high-quality design. They are helping to drive regeneration and give a sense of identity and place, refresh our cultural heritage, and provide children with bright and inspiring environments at school or in hospital.
The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, said:
‘Good design in building matters. It helps to foster civic pride, it fires the imagination, and it's something we're very good at in this country. The public buildings and projects on this year's shortlist are excellent examples of this. I am especially pleased to see the emphasis on sustainable design, regeneration and bringing life into communities shown by this year's selection. I look forward to hearing who has won in October.’
The Prime Minister's Award for Better Public Building
Good design is more than good looks: it means that buildings and spaces function in a way that adds to the quality of life for those who use them. Now in its eighth year, the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award recognises new buildings, places and spaces that improve the delivery of public services, give a sense of identity and community, are a source of local pride, and help build a sustainable future.
The award is made annually to a new building project of any size and budget commissioned by or on behalf of central or local government or by a grant-aided organisation. Uniquely, it rewards excellence in both design and procurement from across the public sector.
The Better Public Building initiative
The Better Public Building initiative was launched by the Prime Minister in 2000 to encourage high-quality design in all new public building.