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Durkan Congratulates Civic Trust Award Winners

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today congratulated the Northern Ireland winners of the Civic Trust Awards.

Monday, 10 March 2014

The Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre scheme attained a top level award. Out of 238 applications, it was one of 79 schemes from around the UK and abroad to achieve a Civic Trust Award, Commendation or Community Recognition.

Project 24 in Bangor and The Skainos Project in East Belfast were winners in the Community Recognition section. Community Recognition Awards are given to projects that have demonstrated a strong ethos of community impact and engagement.

A further commended scheme in Denmark was designed by local practice Hall McKnight Architects.
Mark H Durkan said: "This is a special achievement for all of the winning projects as they faced stiff competition from a high number of quality entries both on a regional and international basis.
"Winning schemes are selected not only for high quality design but for making a positive contribution to the local community. Over the past years Northern Ireland schemes have enjoyed a high level of success in these prestigious national awards and this is a reflection of the high standards in the architectural profession and our construction industry.

"I hope that the outstanding success this year will encourage everyone in the industry to further strive to raise standards in the built environment. The successful projects this year demonstrate how our built environment and public spaces can directly benefit communities as well as boosting tourism. This all builds a better environment and a stronger economy that can be enjoyed by everyone.

"I would also like to thank all of the local judges who gave up their time to enable the awards to be represented in Northern Ireland."

The Department of the Environment works in active partnership with the Civic Trust Awards CIC to co-ordinate the Awards Scheme in Northern Ireland.

This was the 55th Awards Ceremony which was held on Friday 7 March 2014, in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, hosted by writer and TV presenter, George Clarke and Civic Trust Awards MD Malcolm Hankey. These nationally judged awards are given to projects of the highest quality design, which also are judged to have made a positive cultural, social or economic contribution to the local community.

Further information:
SDLP Press Office 028 9052 1364
B'linn ar leas na h'ireann -www.sdlp.ie

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