Dumfries and Galloway Council Design Awards for 2023 - Launch 2nd May 2023

Our Council is delighted to announce the launch of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Design Awards for 2023. This year’s awards are for development or building works completed between 1^st April 2019 and 31^st March 2023.

Dumfries and Galloway Design Awards first took place in 2016 and again in 2019. The awards set out to recognise, celebrate and promote design that provides new, restored and/or adapted buildings and places which have been conceived and developed sensitively, in a manner that will help the region meet its environmental goals.

Development slowed down in the last few years due to lockdown restrictions, so the 2023 Design Awards cover a 4-year period, for projects completed between the 1^st April 2019 and 31^st March 2023. The Awards are organised by the Council’s Local Development Plan Team.

The shortlisted projects will be considered by three prestigious judges, who are independent of the Council, who will select which projects they consider deserve recognition.

There are no pre-decided categories because we have recognised that some of the entries in previous design awards could not be neatly assigned to a single category. Entrants should describe their project, referring to the criteria in the Judging Considerations and the judges will decide which entry should receive an Award or a Commendation.

There is no entry fee. Applications should be submitted by 5.00pm on 15^th June 2023. For full terms and conditions go to: https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/26629/Dumfries-and-Galloway-Council-Design-Awards-2023

Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy and Resources Directorate, Councillor Ian Carruthers said: “I am pleased to see these awards returning as they have proved extremely popular in the past. This is an opportunity to present the best design and architecture that our region has to offer. It is about our skilled local builders and craftspeople, showcasing innovative and traditional skills. It’s also about home owners being proud to show what they’ve done with their own buildings. I very much look forward to seeing the entries.”

Vice Chair, Councillor David Inglis said: “It’s great news that this is returning. The Dumfries and Galloway Council Design Awards aim to recognise, promote, and celebrate examples of exceptional design quality within both the urban and rural parts of our region. It’s not just for completed ‘showcase’ new-builds. In the past we have had extensions, historic restorations, fantastic eco-friendly houses and adaptations to residential and non-residential buildings, which has generated a lot of positive interest in our region’s architecture.”