Rules of Entry
Who and What Can Enter?
Entries can be made by anyone closely connected with a project, so long as the permission of the owner and occupier of the scheme has been obtained prior to entering.
Projects can be entered into the following categories:
- Civic Trust Awards "Standard" (an individual building, structure or space) eg a library, office, restaurant, community centre.
- Civic Trust Awards "Large/Multi-Use Projects" (multiple buildings,use classes, structures or spaces on one site by the same architecture practice) A development that contains two or more main buildings on one site and developed as a single entity, eg housing development, university campus, infrastructure projects.
- Pro-Tem Awards (for temporary projects or installations)
- AABC Conservation Awards
Please ensure that you enter your project into the correct category. Should your project be entered into the incorrect category, then unfortunately it will be deemed unsuccessful at the first stage assessment.
Please see below for more information.
Completion Date
For 2024 entries, schemes must be completed between 1st September 2019 and 1st September 2023 - this includes any surrounding areas, landscaping and car parking which form part of the design. The completion window is indicative, if your scheme falls outside this window, please email us to enquire whether it can be entered info@civictrustawards.org.uk
Opening/Closing Date
The 2024 application round will open on Monday 3rd July and close on Friday 11th August. Apologies for the delay, this is due to the website, application system and assessment centre being upgraded.
Joint Applications
If you wish to submit an application jointly with another practice(s) or organisation(s) this is acceptable. Please ensure that the practice names are included within the application credits section under the tab “Applicant”.
Internal Schemes
Wholly internal entries must be accessible to the public e.g. internal restoration of a historic building or museum etc.
Visibility
Schemes must be visible to the public - it must be possible to see most of it, all year round, from a road, footpath or other public thoroughfare. Private buildings that are regularly used by large numbers of people, for instance schools or commercial buildings, are considered visible.
Large/Mult-Use Application (multiple buildings, use classes, structures or spaces on one site by the same practice, under one application)
Large/Muti-use projects have become increasingly popular and we felt it was appropriate to allow these schemes to be considered under one entry should the practice responsible wish to submit.
These can be large scale developments that contain two or more main buildings on one site and developed as a single entity, eg housing developments, university campus, mixed-use public realm and infrastructure projects.
Projects must be fully completed, including any landscaping or ancillary works and be designed by the same architecture practice.
There is no limit on the number of buildings, structures or spaces that can be included within this application. The applicant must state the number of buildings, structures or spaces that are to be judged on the application system and provide clear information and supporting documents and photographs.
If various architects have worked on the project, then they are responsible for entering the elements of the project that they are responsible for and cannot submit under one Multi-Use Application.
The buildings/spaces must all be on one site and not in multiple locations around a town/city.
Assessment Teams visiting the scheme must be able to fully assess all completed elements of the project included within the application.
If Assessors decide that the scheme cannot be fully assessed due to the incomplete nature of the scheme or any adjacent works, then the application would be considered unsuccessful. In such instances, resubmission will be permitted the following year (additional application fee payable).
The application fee for a multi-use application is £650 +VAT per entry. Should you prefer to submit individual elements of the multi-use scheme under separate entries, the standard application fee of £250 +VAT per entry will apply.
N.B. We do not accept masterplans.
Private Houses & Housing Schemes
Private houses are eligible but must demonstrate how their project contributes to the debate on topics such as density, sustainability and social mix (e.g. affordable homes). In terms of the “community impact” criteria, this can be achieved through the demonstration of the building’s positive contribution to the streetscape.
Temporary Projects or Installations
We encourage applications from temporary projects or installations. Schemes that have a design life of less than 5 years are considered to be a transient building/structure (such as a touring art installation)
These can be submitted for a Pro-Tem Awards via the relevant online application form.
Conservation Projects
For projects that involve the repair, remediation and where appropriate, adaptation of a historic building, these should be submitted for consideration via the Civic Trust Awards AABC Conservation Award online application system.
Projects that are of a conservation nature but still meet the requirements of the Civic Trust Awards can be entered into both schemes. The project will then be eligible to be awarded in either (or both) awards schemes. Recent projects being recognised by both Civic Trust Awards and AABC Awards include “The Painted Hall” by Hugh Broughton Architects & Martin Ashley Architects; “Westminster Abbey Triforium” by Ptolemy Dean Architects & MUMA. Both projects were also recognised by the Selwyn Goldsmith Awards, making them triple winners. Separate entries need to be completed and two application fees applied.
Reuse & Adaptation
We encourage applications from projects that would otherwise have been left to decay or be demolished. The Civic Trust Awards looks to recognise schemes that have benefitted the community and its users, by maintaining its cultural heritage or restoring a culturally significant site, ensuring its viability for new uses and modern functions other than those originally intended. The application should clearly show what has gone/been added on plans - with “As-Was” and “As-Built” plans uploaded. State clearly what has been done and submit before and after images.
Re-submission
Entries made in previous years cannot be resubmitted unless the judges decided the entry was premature/incomplete. The entrant will have been informed that their scheme will be reconsidered.
Disclosure
Should relevant circumstances come to light that had not been known at the time of judging an award may be withheld.
Final Decision
The decision of the National Judging Panel is final. The Panel do not enter into any correspondence regarding the decision.
Winning Projects – Plaques for Display
All winning projects will be presented with a plaque for permanent display at the successful scheme. Applicants agree to install the plaque within 3 months of the winner’s announcement at the Awards Ceremony.
First Stage Assessment Process
Wherever possible, all projects entered into the Civic Trust Awards will be visited by at least one Civic Trust Awards Assessor. AABC projects are judged by the AABC Conservation Awards Panel via a desk assessment.
PLEASE NOTE:
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that you have entered your project into the correct category.
Should your project be entered into the incorrect category, then unfortunately it will be deemed unsuccessful at the first stage assessment.
Where scheme visits are to take place, our assessor teams should not be accompanied by the applicant during their visit.
The scheme should be available to be visited by our assessment team at any time during September and October and applicants must ensure that schemes are notified.
If the scheme isn’t accessible on the date/time provided by the Awards Assessment team, the visit may be deferred to the following year or the project desk assessed (for CTA and Pro Tem applications).