Beeston + District Civic Society want to recognise good design in our community. The results are in!

This biennial DESIGN AWARDS award scheme is for notable recent developments which make a positive contribution to the local physical environment. Its aspiration is to encourage building design and environmental improvements that reinforce Beeston’s identity and sense of place.

Whether a splendid new build or extension; sympathetic renovation work, community minded street improvements, or some inspirational landscaping, the process is the same: after nominations are received, a band of independent judges are invited, assembled, and taken on a whistle-stop tour of the shortlisted sites. Judges verdicts are then discussed, with projects being rated on a scale, and the winners are announced in an November Award event. Winning projects receive a plaque to display if they wish.

Award Categories

Domestic / Residential Buildings 
This category covers any domestic / residential dwelling that has been newly built, upgraded or refurbished.

Commercial Buildings 
This includes any newly built, refurbished, refitted or refurbished retail, commercial or industrial premises.

Landscape / Biodiversity
Includes biodiverse planting or landscape schemes; growing for food, wilding and wildlife friendly design e.g. habitat for bats, bees, bugs and birds, tree planting, or native planting schemes.

Environment / Energy
This new category encompasses work to any existing, new, or refurbished property involving energy efficiency schemes, renewables, generation or retrofitting, together with environment considerations e.g. green roofs or water harvesting

“We’d like local people to get involved, to take a look around at what’s helping to improve our communities, what evokes pride in our area and a sense of place.”

Mervyn Brown, Society Committee member and Project lead

What qualifies?

A wide range of submissions is encouraged and are likely to be considered; including; new-builds, alterations, additions, refurbishment and repurposing together with planting, landscape, street and area improvements.

To qualify, projects need to:
1. have been completed within the past two years (June 2021 and June 2023)
2. be in public view, and
3. be in either: Beeston, Chilwell, Attenborough, Toton, or Bramcote (The area is generally bounded by: The River Trent – Derby Road A52 – the parish boundaries)

The closing date for nominations is 30 June 2023
The formal presentations to the winners will be Oct/Nov 2023 (TBC)

“It is fantastic that exemplary design in the Beeston area is being recognised through the Society ‘s Design Awards. Whilst national, regional, and city-based design awards are common across the UK, it is really important that excellent design is also celebrated amongst local communities like Beeston.”

Tim Heath, 2021 Panel Member, Professor of Architecture & Urban Design at The University of Nottingham

How to get involved