Capital buildings stand proud at design awards

London has dominated a major architectural awards ceremony, taking more than a third of the honours for a string of new buildings and renovations of historic landmarks.

Eleven projects in the capital won plaudits at the Civic Trust Awards, out of 30 prizes handed out nationwide.

Among the winners was the £111 million restoration of the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank. The Grade I-listed building, which dates back to 1951, was reopened almost a year ago.

Judges said the venue was now a "world-class public space."

The renovation of the Camden Roundhouse was also honoured. The venue closed for three years during the £30millionmakeover, which was part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council. It reopened in 2006.

Bourbon Lane, a development of timber-clad affordable housing in Shepherd's Bush, was named best new housing project and said by the judges to have been "impeccably built".

The renovated Royal Observatory in Greenwich and Alpine House in Kew Gardens were also recognised at last night's ceremony.