Winners of 2016 Scottish Borders Design Awards announced

Design Award for New Build (Residential) winner The Wave, Kirkton Manor
New Build (Residential) winner The Wave, Kirkton Manor

A new sports hall in Peebles and the conversion of a cottage in Gattonside were among the winners at this year’s Scottish Borders Design Awards.

Announced at a ceremony held at Scottish Borders Council headquarters yesterday, the award scheme was first established in 1984 and runs every two years. This year the awards scheme is part of the national Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.

New Build (Commercial) winner Peebles High School sports hall
New Build (Commercial) winner Peebles High School sports hall



Organised by the council’s planning and regulatory service, the purpose of the scheme is to recognise examples of good building design, educate and inspire all those involved in new developments and raise the overall standard of building design.

Blakeburn by Gattonside secured the Works to an Existing Building award
Blakeburn by Gattonside secured the Works to an Existing Building award

This year’s winners are:



  • Design Award for New Build (Residential): The Wave, Kirkton Manor - Commendations: Little Lindisfarne, Hawick; Maple Tree House, Darnick
  • Design Award for New Build (Commercial): New sports hall, Peebles High School.
  • Design Award for Works to an Existing Building: Blakeburn by Gattonside - Commendation: Born in the Borders, Lanton Mill
  • Design Award for Placemaking: Leet Haugh, Coldstream - Commendation: Old School Place, Lauder


  • Special Award for Conservation and Design: Marchmont House, near Polwarth
  • Leet Haugh picked up the Placemaking accolade
    Leet Haugh picked up the Placemaking accolade

    Councillor Ron Smith, SBC’s executive member for planning and environment and chair of the planning and building standards committee, said: “Once again the entries for these awards have highlighted the high quality of building design right across the Scottish Borders.



    “The judges have had a difficult task in selecting winners from the large number of entries. Hopefully the winning and commended designs, which are innovative, contemporary and forward thinking, will inspire future projects in the region and beyond.”

    A total of 30 entries were received across the various categories. The independent judging panel was chaired by Andy Millar, former SBC built and natural heritage manager, from Peebles, with David Suttie representing the Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland (RTPI) and Iain Connelly representing the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

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