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Development site Meadow House Preston
Preston's largest housing association, Community Gateway Association (CGA) is sponsoring an international architectural competition to design new housing in the city centre. In partnership with Preston City Council and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), CGA is offering architects to be part of this new project, which will be its contribution to the famous Preston Guild celebrations in 2012.
Preston Guild is a famous and unique celebration with more than 800
years of tradition. The Guild dates back to the granting of
Preston's first Charter by King Henry in 1179. Linking the city's
heritage and past with its ambitions for the future, the Guild is
Preston's most important and historic event held every 20 years.
The next Guild is in 2012 with the theme of "Innovation and
Creativity".
The competition named “Gateway Goes for Guild” will see
the three organisations working closely together to transform a
former sheltered housing scheme site in the heart of the city
centre, into an innovative social housing development.
Architects are to develop design proposals for a social housing
project, where people will aspire to live. The winning scheme, with
an emphasis on design quality and energy efficiency, will be a
project demonstrating that affordable does not equate to ordinary,
and should act as an example for future social housing developments
in Preston and elsewhere.
Rose Kinsella Chair of CGA’s board commented, “We have
already seen lots of interest from architects in the UK and beyond.
We hope that the competition entries will be innovative and
creative, leaving a legacy for Prestonian’s to
treasure.”
Cllr Ken Hudson Leader of Preston City Council said, “CGA want to make a lasting contribution to the Guild in 2012. What better way than to build homes for Preston families to live in for many years to come. We are glad to part of this project and look forward to seeing the results”
Closing date for applications is the 20 October. You can view
the details of the competition at www.gatewaygoesforguild.com
