Architectural firm Austin-Smith:Lord has won an accolade at the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Awards in Glasgow.

The practice received the prize for its design of the £6.6 million Helensburgh Town Centre Public Realm scheme in Argyll and Bute.

Features include new walkways, soft landscaped areas, tree lines and lighting columns set out in a way which "enhances and frames" the listed buildings in Colquhoun Square.

The project forms part of the council's CHORD regeneration project and will now be short-listed for the RIAS Doolan Award for Architecture alongside other RIAS 2016 award winners.


Last month, the scheme was also recognised at the Scottish Design Awards along with being shortlisted for the RICS Awards 2016, FX International Design Awards, the Civic Trust Awards and the Scottish Property Awards.

Graham Ross, Austin-Smith:Lord Partner, said: "We are all the more thrilled to receive such a prestigious award in the centenary year of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. It's an honour to be amongst an impressive crop of RIAS award winners that collectively showcase the best in contemporary Scottish architecture and design."

Cllr Ellen Morton added: "This is wonderful news. We are absolutely delighted that this major improvement project continues to gain national recognition.

“Now we have an attractive, usable and flexible public space for general enjoyment and to support community events, festivals and markets."

For the full list of RIAS 2016 winners, visit here.

(LM/MH)