The Civic Trust Awards are national awards for new work that improves the townscape of Britain. The Awards are staged by The Civic Trust, with a considerable amount of help from Local Planning Authorities, such as Bournemouth Council.

Civic Trust Awards are given to outstanding examples of architecture and environmental design and are unique in that they take into account the benefit each project brings to its local area and community as well as considering the quality of its design. 
Civic Trust Awards are given to outstanding projects in the field of architecture, planning, environmental design, landscape, public art and urban design. 

The Civic Trust Award scheme runs on a two-year alternating rota.  Bournemouth falls into the UK’s countryside and country towns category (odd years), which alternates with the award which covers the UK’s major cities and metropolitan areas (even years).
 
Each year the Civic Trust gives a range of Special Awards, Awards, Commendations and Mentions.  Awards are given to projects that make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment.
Commendations are given to projects that make a valuable contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment.  They are given to projects that are of an extremely high standard but not quite worthy of an Award.  Mentions are given to projects of cultural, social or economic benefit to the local community.

Special Award or Award winners receive a plaque for permanent display at the site of the winning project and those involved in the project receive certificates.  Certificates are also given for projects that achieve a Commendation or a Mention.

The Civic Trust Awards have now been held for 40 years, for much of that time Dorset County Council organised the awards locally for the Civic Trust. Since Bournemouth became a Unitary Authority in 1997, it has taken over as the local representative and was first involved in the 1999 awards, when Pokesdown School won an award.

How can you become involved?

Developers, owners, or architects normally make official entries however, the Local Authority can also act on suggestions from members of the public who are encouraged to submit them if they consider a scheme worthwhile.  You can suggest for consideration, any buildings or schemes that you feel improve the appearance of Bournemouth.  The deadline for the submission of schemes is usually the September before the award year. 

If you would like information on how to become involved in the next Civic Trust Awards please contact the Civic Trust.

Past Awards

The 2003 Awards:

Bournemouth Library
This scheme was amongst those recognised by the Civic Trust and received a commendation.