Awards presented by The King’s Foundation to changemakers pioneering a new way of building houses

The King’s Foundation celebrated landowners, developers and related organisations from across the country at our annual Building a Legacy awards event at Elsick House, Aberdeen, on 24 September 2024.

Building a Legacy is an initiative which brings together thought leaders and new ideas in sustainable urbanisation. Through the project, we engage landowners and other professionals to create mixed-use, mixed income and walkable communities for future generations to enjoy.

The awards scheme involves candidates being nominated by individuals and by The King’s Foundation, with winners chosen by our Royal Founding President, His Majesty King Charles III. The objective is to share best practice and raise awareness of legacy activities across the UK.

The theme of this year’s event was Regional Building Hubs, with George Ferguson CBE giving the keynote speech – the past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, the first elected Mayor of Bristol, and the founding Director of both the Academy of Urbanism and Sustrans, the sustainable transport group. George provided attendees at the event with a well-informed perspective on the opportunities that lie ahead for regional builders, suppliers, and developers.

The day also included a summary of the Building a Legacy annual report, The Economy of Place: Building Regional Communities, produced in partnership with the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation at Kellogg College, Oxford University. Guests also enjoyed a panel discussion which emphasized the power of regions and the Regional Building Hubs initiative, and a tour of nearby Chapelton which is part of the network of ever-expanding legacy developments in the UK.

Congratulations to this year’s winners, who were as follows:

The Community Award – Newquay Orchard by Urban Biodiversity

The development plans for Newquay Orchard were informed by a co-design process with its volunteers. The building aims to serve the community by enhancing biodiversity, addressing social deprivation, and promoting sustainability. Over the past year, 55 organisations have utilised the building and its greenspace.

A notable partnership with The Hive saw 20,000 meals prepared and distributed to low-income families within the first four months of the building’s opening, addressing needs exacerbated by the Covid-19 lockdowns. The Sustainable Lives program, inspired by UN sustainability goals and funded by the EU, has supported over 130 individuals, with 32% moving into employment or education. Some participants have become employees of Urban Biodiversity or pursued higher education in sustainable sciences.

The Key Role Award – Rob Illingworth, from Ben Pentreath Ltd.

Rob Illingworth has been part of Ben Pentreath Ltd since 2010. Under his guidance, the practice has delivered notable projects for clients such as the Duchy of Cornwall, the Earl of Moray, Tim Knatchbull, Aldred Drummond, and others. These projects, including those in Truro, Faversham, Tornagrain, and Welborne, have received significant regional and national awards. Rob excels in simplifying complex urbanism principles, applying them to projects that promote sustainability and reach diverse, less prosperous communities.

The Landowner Award – Wemyss and March Estates with Socially Conscious Capital, for Longniddry South, Phase 1

Recognised with the Landowner Award for guiding and delivering the Conservation Area of tomorrow, the project aims to provide 470 new homes across two phases, with Phase 1 comprising 179 homes, 25% of which are affordable. The development is centred around Longniddry Steading, a complex of traditional farm buildings being converted into a mixed-use hub. Longniddry South promotes a healthy, community-focused lifestyle, supports home working, and integrates seamlessly with the existing infrastructure.

Thank you also to all of the nominees who were shortlisted for the following Awards:

Shortlisted for The Community Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Community Activities:

• Pavilion in the Park, Poundbury

Shortlisted for The Key Role Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Delivering the Project:

• Charles Anderson • Doug Cramond • Anthony Downs • Nicole Petrie

Shortlisted for The Landowner Award for Guiding and Delivering the Conservation Area of Tomorrow

• Blenheim Estate (Park View) • Gascoyne Estates (Mill Green Village) • Ashfield Estate (Mountbatten Park)