Buildings ranging from a refurbished cinema to a newly-built chapel are competing for new awards in Argyll and Bute.
The council has announced the 20 shortlisted entries for its 2023 Built Environment Design Awards, with two of them in Helensburgh including the town’s new £22.6m leisure centre.
The awards aim to recognise, promote and celebrate examples of exceptional design and sustainability across Argyll and Bute.
The public can choose from:
- Asknish House – an 18th century Georgian Palladian country house near Lochgilphead which has been restored after standing empty for decades
- Barochan Place – the conversion of a one-bedroom flat in Campbeltown’s conservation area
- Burgh Hall, Dunoon – this was designed by Robert Bryden in 1874 and was re-opened to the public in 2017 after redevelopment; the local community and supporters formed the Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust
- Campbeltown Picture House – the historic main auditorium of the A-listed building has been restored, with a second screen and café bar added
- Charcoal Huts – Bute Community Forest’s new eco-tourism venture is two small, off-grid, timber huts
- Dunoon Primary School – shortlisted for the refurbishment of the retained part of the B-listed building as well as a new extension, designed by Ryder Architecture
- Egg Shed – a new visitor and community centre for Scottish Canals at Ardrishaig
- Eilean de Mheinn – a redeveloped bungalow close to Crinan Harbour
- Helensburgh Leisure Centre – shortlisted in both the aesthetic design (large scale) and community-led regeneration categories, designed by DB3 architecture
- Hundred Acre Wood – a private home near Dalmally
- Iona Abbey – The refurbishment residential accommodation at the A-Listed abbey, which is also a scheduled monument
- Lochend Affordable Housing – a redevelopment of a derelict farm steading to provide ten starter homes, with common ground for community building and outdoor living
- Mannal House – a new-build home on Tiree
- Queens Hall Public Realm, Dunoon – part of the council’s CHOPRD project, this aimed to provide ‘a positive welcome off the passenger ferry by removing old ferry infrastructure and replacing it with parkland and civic space’
- Rockfield Centre, Oban – a B-Listed former school renovated to provide a mix of community, performance arts, heritage and social enterprise
- St Comghan’s Chapel – a new-build private chapel of traditional form and construction on Loch Melfort
- Stafford Street – A single storey rear extension to a house in Helensburgh
- Taigh an Ailtire – a new-build home on Tiree
- Waterfall Bay House – a low-energy private home on the shore of Loch Melfort
Voting is on the council website and closes on May 15.
Kieron Green, policy lead for planning and regulatory services, said: “People continue to be attracted to live, work, and visit Argyll and Bute by our stunning landscape and quality design.
“Reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change are key elements to sustainable development locally. The shortlist therefore not only celebrates design, but also recognises innovative ways buildings can help support our environment.
“I have been deeply impressed by the standard of entries this year, and hope these will inspire future design projects across the area.”
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