Introducing the Environment Awards, Society Vice-Chairman Tom Ryland noted the fact that there had been fewer new buildings to choose from this year, because of the downturn.

The Society decided that this year no building or project met the standard for the main Environment Award, but the Nancye Goulden award for a smaller scheme went to the   Phoenix School Caretaker’s House (Rebuilt as part of the Sixth Form project) by Bond Bryan Architects.  The committee praised its understated elegance and calm modern design.    

The Society’s Conservation Award went to 20 St Peter’s Square – Completion of the Square by the demolition of a later Victorian house, replacement by two of the three missing facades to make up the triple villas: Warren Smith Architects. The Committee were enthusiastic about the elegant recreation of the terrace, based on detailed research to the original 1830s design.

The society also awards its famous Wooden Spoons to those responsible for eyesores in the Borough. This year they went to:

• Latymer School – New Science and Library building, especially seen from Rivercourt Road: although probably an excellent building for the school, in the view of the Committee it presents a bleak and un-neighbourly facade to Rivercourt Road and the design should have done more to engage with the outer world
• Ladybird Nursery, Ravenscourt Park – Cutting down apparently healthy tree and construction of pavilions adjacent to the Park, in a conservation area without planning approvals.
• Night-time lighting to Trussley Drycleaners shop in Hammersmith Grove (in the terrace opposite Trussley Road) – Excessive and gaudy lighting causing light pollution.
• New housing development incorporating Sainsbury Local Store in Askew Road – The design of the block as a whole and its disappointing paint colour were felt to be a missed opportunity to improve Askew Road.