Applications are now being received for Aberdeenshire's Design Awards scheme which gives people the chance to vote for the most creatively conceived structures in the area from housing, to art, or conservation projects.

Entries must be in by Thursday, February 17, 2012 for the design scheme which takes place every two years and recognises design over seven categories, with an emphasis on innovation and sustainability.

The categories are Business; Conservation; Craftsmanship; Housing; Public Art; Rural Landscape Development and Sustainability.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services Stephen Archer stressed the importance of ‘good design’ at the launch of the awards in October and said it was important that design in the area is celebrated and promoted.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee Councillor Peter Argyle praised the scheme and the increasing number and quality of entries.

Vice-chair Cllr Jill Webster added: “It does illustrate that we are getting the message across that the council is expecting a higher quality of construction in Aberdeenshire.

“I would like to see some more of the volume house-builders (entering the awards scheme). We should be expecting as much from them as the individual houses.”

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Entries will be judged by a panel of experts including architects, artists and councillors.

President of Aberdeen’s Society of Architects (ASA) Murray Restrup is on the judging panel and has an architectural career that spans Scotland, although his heart lies in Aberdeenshire where he was brought up and he is passionate about design.

A graduate of the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment at Robert Gordon University, Murray has worked on a number of retail and industrial projects.

Murray joined SMC Jenkins & Marr (soon to become Archial) in 2007 and is currently planning works for new communities in and around Aberdeen as well as splitting time between the Chapter Council of the Aberdeen Society of Architects where he is currently Chapter President.

He said: “Architecture, landscape, and the built environment generally, affects everyone.

“High quality design and craftsmanship is to be applauded and encouraged for the positive impact it brings to an area, whether that is a street, a village, or a whole county.

“The Aberdeenshire Design Awards will continue to give recognition to the best examples of quality design and craftsmanship across the area and reinforce the message that excellence in architecture and design is important and should be encouraged.

“ASA has supported the Design Awards since their inception fourteen years ago, because of the commitment shown by Aberdeenshire Council to the promotion of excellence in architecture and design.”

New build, regeneration, conservation, restoration, conversion and extensions may all be considered eligible for nomination for a Design Award and anyone can submit an entry as long as the building or project is located within Aberdeenshire.

Past winners have included The Salmon Bothy in Portsoy and Craigievar Castle in Alford – both highly commended in the conservation category in 2010, with the castle also picking up a ‘distinction’ for craftsmanship.

Nominations forms are available for download from Aberdeenshire Council's website at http://bit.ly/vZnBry

All eligible works must have been completed within the last two years with the exception of Rural landscape Development and Public Art which are within five years.

Winners will be announced on Thursday, September 6, 2012.

(GK)