Old Market Square, Nottingham, England

26 Nov 2008 Old Market Square, Nottingham : Gustafson Porter Award photo © Gustafson Porter Ltd RIBA/CABE Public Space Award, 2008 The jury said: 'the fluid inviting public space allows the surrounding buildings both to complement each other and stand out for their architectural character" "The new square achieves a successful balance between creating its own identity and providing a flexible space for public amenity and civic and cultural events" "Old Market Square has been transformed from an unloved, traditional city square - once labelled locally as 'Slab Square' - into an inviting public space" RIBA East Midlands Award, 2008 "The new layout is less structured, providing a more fluid, inviting public space. It allows the surrounding buildings both to complement each other and stand out individually for their architectural character" Civic Trust Awards, 2008 Outstanding Contribution to the Public Realm / Best practice in town regeneration Centre Vision Award/Charcon Hard Landscaping Award "One of the oldest public squares in the UK, Nottingham's Old Market Square has been revitalised by this remodelling and regeneration scheme. […]This new layout has brought significant improvements to the public realm; it is accessible, easier and more attractive to use" Nottingham's Lord Mayor's Awards, 2007 - Winner of the Public Realm and Open Space category and 'Overall Winner' categories "Due to the high quality of the project itself which is something which Nottingham will be proud of for generations to come" photo © Gustafson Porter Ltd Natural Stone Awards, 2008 - Landscaping category "The industry's most prestigious event, recognising excellence in the design and use of natural stone" East Midlands Property Awards, 2007 - Design Excellence Award "A wonderful example of design and regeneration. Gustafson Porter turned a chaotic skateboarders paradise into a wonderful democratic space thronging with people. The design opened up the centre of Nottingham with the biggest open square outside of London" Landscape Institute Awards, 2007 - Highly commended - Urban design category "An excellent, simple, robust scheme with very high design quality that respects its surroundings and has created a beautiful and functional civic space" Nottingham Civic Society, 2007 - Commendation for Water Features Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) - East Midlands Merit Awards (EMMAs), 2008 - Highly commendation for Redevelopment "The Awards recognise and encourage excellence and innovative concepts in civil engineering practice" photo: Dom Henry www.domhenry.com 2008 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) East Midlands Awards, 2008 - Commendation for the Regeneration category "The new square is a modern, single tier area, reflecting the history of the city including the recreation of an ancient border which once divided Nottingham. A multi purpose space, the area has also been home to a number of shows and concerts as well as a regular local farmers market, reflecting the original purpose of the Square" photo © Gustafson Porter Ltd Serving Construction & Architecture in Local Authorities (SCALA) Award - Civil Building of the Year, 2008 Highly Commended as exemplary piece of public architecture. The Award celebrates the "construction of high quality public buildings and formally honour excellence in design and construction"