Architect wins prestigious Dezeen award

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Published

16 November 2022

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An architecture and interior design expert from the University of East London (UEL), has won rebirth project of the year at the Dezeen Awards. 

Now in its fifth year, the awards are organised by the architecture, interior and design magazine, 

The final award entries were first scored by a jury of 25 international architects, before the winners were decided by a master jury which included Tosin Oshinowo, Sharjah Architecture Triennial curator, Annette Fisher architect at FA Global and Paloma Strelitz, Co-Founder of Assemble.

Alex Scott-Whitby, subject cluster leader for architecture and design, won the rebirth project for his work in restoring a Jubilee Pool in Cornwall. 

As part of his practice, Scott Whitby Studios, Alex and his team upgraded the art deco swimming pool in Penzance with a geothermal borehole, which provides a natural and low-carbon method of heating the water. The studio also refurbished the pool's facilities, extending the cafe and bar as well as providing a new community hall.

It is now the second geothermal swimming pool in the UK - the first being the Roman baths in Bath.

Alex Scott-Whitby

Alex Scott-Whitby, subject cluster leader for architecture and design.

Assessing the work, the jury said, “This project represents a holistic idea of rebirth and sustainability. It sensitively reflects the guardianship of the community of this civic asset and the desire to preserve and elevate its use so that it continues to be used and well-loved for future generations”

Alex’s work on the Jubilee Pool had previously won the Dezeen Awards’ public vote. Alex and the 10 other project winners will now compete to be named the overall architecture project of the year winner which will be announced in late November 2022. 

Alex said: “We are of course hugely honoured to be the only UK project to have been awarded this award which has now been whittled down from over 5400 global entries to just 11, and in a couple of weeks we will find out if we have got from 5400 to one!

“I am hugely grateful to the UEL and School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering community for showing their support for this project, and me by voting for us in the public vote. I am humbled that such an expert panel of judges might find our project worthy of global recognition.”

For more information see the Dezeen Awards or architecture and physical design at UEL. 

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