York Design Awards 2020 will not go ahead due to the escalating uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19.
This year’s awards were launched last month by Annalie Riches from Sterling Prize award winning architects Mikhail Riches, with judging due to take place in May and the award ceremony in June. All entries received by the closing date of 31st March will be carried forward to next year’s awards.
Ann Reid, Chair of the York Design Awards committee said: “This decision was not an easy one to make, but a key differentiator of the York Design Awards is that four independent judges travel from across the UK to York and visit each project that is entered for an award. With current restrictions on travel and to ensure everyone’s safety, we felt this was our only option.
“We will be back in January 2021 and will include all of this year’s entries in next year’s awards, which we hope will be bigger and better than ever.”
With eight categories to choose from, the York Design Awards encourage and reward the highest standards of restoration and refurbishment of existing buildings and the best design in new buildings and public spaces in York.
Previous winners include York Art Gallery, The Bothy at Dean’s Garden Centre, Jake’s Treehouse at Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, Vita Students’ Village on Lawrence Street, The Red Tower at Foss Islands Road, and Rowntree Park Skate Park as well as a number of private homes.
The awards are funded and supported by a wide range of sponsors including Hiscox, Arup, CG Building and Restoration, City of York Council, Crombie Wilkinson, Fulprint, George F White, Leeds Environmental Design Associates (LEDA), LNER, O’Neill Associates, Ravage Productions, Shepherd Group, St Peter’s School, The Grand Hotel, The Partners Group, The Press, United By Design, University of York, York Architectural Association, York Civic Trust, York Conservation Trust, York Explore, and York Guild of Building.