The project in the town that has made it into the 2016 Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) awards is the Colquhoun Square public realm area, and it will be competing against 22 other projects, including the Loch Lomondside one.
This year’s panel of judges will include the likes of Stuart McKill from Saint-Gobain, Andy Leitch from the Forestry Commission Scotland, and Denise Bennetts, who will represent the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Austin-Smith was the firm responsible for the design of the project in the centre of Helensburgh that has made the shortlist, which cost £6.6m to complete, and the RIAS stated that:
“The design ethos was to create a town centre with attractive, usable and flexible public spaces to support community events, festivals and markets.”
It went on to add that Colquhoun Square’s numerous high-quality buildings had been strongly enhanced by the project’s grid structure, which incorporates lighting columns, tree lines, soft landscaped sections, and walkways.
RIAS President Willie Watt said that the projects on the list represented a diverse, impressive selection. Places that can offer postcard printing are often used to create souvenir items showcasing areas of beauty in Helensburgh and other towns.