Design Awards

This category seeks to recognise developments or local organisations that have contributed to the built or natural environment. In this category, the judges are looking for schemes that have involved the local community, create a community asset and are accessible to all users.

This category was created to highlight development which understood the context within which it sits, taking key elements of the surrounding built and natural landscape to help it harmonise with both the site and its location.

This category seeks to highlight schemes that fit with the existing context and surrounding area, are sympathetic to the original building and where the quality of the scheme is consistent throughout. This is about a holistic approach to reimagining the original building.

This category looks for schemes that fit with the existing context and surrounding area, are sympathetic to the original building and where the quality of the scheme is consistent throughout. It also recognises the smaller householder schemes that represent the many hundreds of planning applications Waverley receives on an annual basis.

This category relates to all aspects that contribute to a quality interior. This is not only materials and finishes, but the careful consideration of relationship of spaces, their occupancy and how they function for the user.

This category includes new buildings, both commercial and private residential schemes, and seeks to recognise innovative design and construction that will remain relevant and eye-catching for decades to come. All the standard urban design principles are taken into consideration within this category.

This category has been reinstated in regards to Waverley’s declaration of a climate emergency. It also happens to coincide with the adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction supplementary planning document, which sets out Waverley’s expectations for new development.

This category seeks a holistic approach and an innovative response to climate change. We were seeking schemes that go beyond building regulation requirements or ‘bolt on’ renewable technologies.

This category seeks to highlight any type of project which improves the character of the area, this can include landscaping schemes, public art or public realm improvements. Both private and publicly accessible schemes were eligible and the judges chose to split the award in two to reflect this.

This category was introduced in 2009 to enable the public to get involved in our Design Awards and vote for their favourite development. For the 2022/23 awards, this category was opened to all entries and over 300 votes were cast. 

For the 2022/23 Design Awards, the ‘Overall Winner’ award was renamed the ‘Michael Edwards Award’ in memory of the local architect who dedicated his career to the improvement of design in a traditional form.

Michael was an avid supporter of the Waverley Design Awards, submitting developments for consideration in every scheme and in every year it ran. This awards honours Michael’s memory and his support for the Waverley Design Awards.