CABE hails the pace-setters for 2007

Our very own Jane Stoneham has been chosen as one of the CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) Festive Five. Not a group of super-heroes (in the Marvel comic sense anyway) but a group of individuals and organisations that CABE has decided merit recognition for setting standards in the design of buildings and spaces.

CABE said in its press release that "since Jane Stoneham became director of the Sensory Trust in 1996, it has achieved an enormous amount in breaking down barriers and raising awareness about inclusive design". This is true and we're delighted that folks have noticed.

Each year CABE gives a Festive Five Award to five individuals, five public sector organisations and five private companies whose forward thinking and high aspirations have resulted in great architecture and design.

This year the awards focus on school design and inclusive design – two of CABE’s core priorities and where the country faces some of its biggest challenges. The awards acknowledge those who understand the importance of good design for effective teaching and learning, and also major strides to create buildings and places that can be used and enjoyed by everyone.

Richard Simmons, chief executive of CABE, said:
"School design and inclusive design are often misunderstood and poorly executed. These are two areas where standards have to rise dramatically in 2007. The people and projects recognised here set a benchmark for what everyone should be achieving everywhere."

Other award-winners this year:

Individuals

Dick Hibdige, deputy headteacher, Bedminster Down Secondary School for insisting on high-quality design for the recently completed PFI Bedminster Down Secondary School in Bristol.
Jason Longhurst, director, River Nene Regional Park, Northamptonshire for his pivotal role in creating the River Nene Regional Park.
Tony O’Sullivan, consultant community paediatrician, Lewisham Primary Care Trust and the driving force behind Kaleidoscope, the Lewisham Children and Young People’s Centre.
Tim Pritchard, team landscape architect, Urban Design, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council for helping to realise an aspiration to replace a busy ring road with a completely new public square in West Bromwich.

Public sector organisations

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Birmingham City Council
Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, London
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
North Somerset Council

Private companies

bptw partnership, for Pepys Estate, Deptford, London
Capita Percy Thomas, for Academy of St Francis of Assisi, Liverpool
Mind the Gap Theatre, Bradford
Sjölander da Cruz Architects, for Sure Start children’s centres, Warwickshire
Studio E Architects, for City of London Academy