The event saw new developments from across Waverley commended for their outstanding designs. The Design Awards, which began in 1995, were set up to recognise outstanding new development within the borough.
Over the years the bi-annual event has expanded to include the Education Awards for Waverley schools, colleges and universities.
Expert judges, who were on hand to give out some of the awards, included Laith Anayi, chairman of the South East Region of RIBA, Peter Waters, from UCA Farnham and Peter Mills of the IHBC (Institute of Historic Building Conservation).
Andrew Tomkins from Abode Architects which won The Overall Award for their reconstruction of the Forge in Upper Church Lane for a design office for their practice, said the outcome was unexpected: “I did not expect it all, it is really exciting.
“This building was a blacksmiths and the horses would come in to get their shoes done. The building was in a really bad way when we brought it about 10 to 12 years ago and it had been on the market for a long time. Everyone would come and have a look at it, but thought it needed too much work.
“My wife, Rosemury Tomkins and I, are the ones who founded the project, along with the help of Miranda, Rosemary’s sister, Vivienne Conway, Sean Rix, Waverley’s conservation officer, Sean Best (carpenter) and bricklayers Pete, Steve and Louie.
“When we rebuilt the wall and removed all the windows people said ‘what are you doing with those lovely old windows where are you putting them? You are smashing down The Forge, it’s terrible’, and then when we rebuilt the wall and put the windows back in, people would walk past and say ‘why you putting them horrible old windows back in?’.
“To be restored it basically had to be completely rebuilt, the floor had gone, the walls were shot, the roof was completely derelict – it’s a restoration by complete removal. I am happy and it was worth it.”
The winners of the Educational Awards for Academic Projects went to the University for the Creative Arts with potential schemes for the Watts Gallery. The winner ‘Gathering Kiln’ by Philomene Lambaere formed a comprehensive nucleus, and was followed closely behind by Lam Duong, with ‘Into the light’, an imaginative pavilion formed of polycarbonate tubes.
Barfield School in Farnham was commended for a comprehensive rendering of a world map in the Arts Projects Award category. Back to Front design studio in West Street was commended for its ingenuity with Hollybush Cottage in Farnham, and Noel Wright for the coolness of his design of Temple Hill, a large house in Dockenfield.
The Recital Room and new Studio building at Frensham Heights School were commended in the New Public Building category.
Brian Adams, Waverley’s portfolio holder for planning and presenter of the Overall Design Award, said: “I have been blown away by the incredibly high standard of entries for this year’s awards. It’s great to see new development in Waverley being beautifully constructed, with thought about how it can enhance the surrounding environments. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who entered.”