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.

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.

This year’s winners are:

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).