Ferguson McIlveen scoops national award

A local firm, Ferguson McIlveen has scooped a prestigious award for its planning work in Hamilton, Scotland.

The firm’s design for the Old Cross area recently picked up the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Award for Planning for the Public Realm.

The national awards, which are distributed annually, reward outstanding achievement in planning and recognise projects that afford significant environmental and public benefits.

The £2.3 million project, which is the final piece in an initiative to regenerate and revitalise Hamilton Town Centre, provides an elegant central space in the heart of the town.

The streetscape uses a circular layout of natural stone slabs enhanced by imaginative floor-level lighting. Public art plays an integral part of the design from the bronze sculptural walls to the handcrafted glass blocks with ‘cast in’ urban plants. The overall design approach is of ‘simple elegance’ with creative detailing.

The streetscape's natural stone and stainless steel are used throughout with crisp clear lines and detailing. This acts as a perfect foil to the Victorian framework reflecting Hamilton’s importance as an historic Scottish town. It has greatly improved the commercial viability of the town centre, providing the setting for historic buildings and heritage as well as commercial and business growth.

This award is the latest in a long list of accolades which the local firm has received and acts to reinforce Ferguson McIlveen’s position as one of the leading urban designers within the United Kingdom.

Toasting the success, Gordon Clarke, a Partner with Ferguson McIlveen said: “For a Belfast-based firm it is a major achievement to have our work gain national recognition. In light of Belfast’s bid for the City of Culture 2008, we would welcome the opportunity to use our skills and experience on projects closer to home.”

Ferguson McIlveen is a multi-disciplinary firm with nine offices throughout the UK and Ireland.

Founded in 1922 in Belfast, where it still maintains a head office, the firm now employs 200 staff.

(SP)