Better Public Building

CABE press release

Hub of the community - sports and leisure pavilion in the park recognised for its great design

18 September 2006

Contact: Dan Thomson, 020 7070 6772

A presentation to mark the inclusion of The Hub, Regent's Park in the Prime Minister's Award for Better Public Building 2006 shortlist will be taking place on Wednesday 20 September.

The Hub, which provides sports and café facilities in one of London's most famous parks, is among a total of 14 shortlisted entries, each vying for this year's award. Now in its sixth year, the award recognises excellence in design quality and the procurement practices of publicly funded building schemes.

CABE commissioner Jason Prior will formally present a plaque to Edward Strickland, of the Major Projects Division of the Royal Parks, and Park Manager David Caselton, to mark the occasion.

The media are invited to attend the presentation: -

Location: The Hub, Regent's Park, London
Date: Wednesday 20 September
Time: 3pm

The Hub comprises a transparent circular café and viewing terraces looking out over renovated football and cricket pitches. A large proportion of the building is buried in the park landscape, helping its environmental performance and providing enough space for 300 people to get changed ready to play, along with toilet facilities which are open to the wider public. There are changing facilities for people with disabilities, plus spaces for alternative forms of exercise like yoga and tai chi. Local community and business groups, and targeted groups such as the London Sports Forum for Disabled People and Paddington Development Trust, regularly use it.

CABE commissioner Jason Prior said:

'The Hub has successfully encouraged the use of Regent's Park for outdoor sport and has quickly become a valued building for many community and business groups. It is an excellent piece of design, both functional and attractive.'

The judges said:

'This is an elegant design, well-delivered, which is largely semi-buried in the park landscape, thereby giving excellent environmental credentials.'

The award is jointly sponsored by CABE and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). It is part of the British Construction Industry Awards and the winner will be announced on 26 October 2006 at a ceremony in central London.

Notes to Editors

To attend the plaque presentation, or obtain images of the presentation after it takes place, please contact Dan Thomson on 020 7070 6772
Directions to plaque presentation: The café on the first floor, The Hub, Regents Park, London, NW1 4NR. Tube: Regent's Park, Baker Street, or Marylebone.
Further information on each of the 14 short listed schemes can also be found on the Better Public Building website. The contenders for this year's award are:
The winner of the 2005 Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award was the Jubilee Library in Brighton.
CABE is the government's advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places.
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an office of HM Treasury which works with central civil government as a catalyst to achieve best value for money in commercial activities. For more information contact Adrian Ient on 020 7271 1366.