Aber's Creative Units shortlisted for civic award

The Creative Units at Aberystwyth Arts Centre

The Creative Units at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, a department of Aberystwyth University, have been shortlisted for the annual Civic Trust Awards, which take place on 12 March 2010 at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.

Designed by the award-winning Heatherwick Studio, the Creative Units development is the only Wales-based project to be shortlisted this year.

The awards are given to projects that are culturally, socially or economically beneficial, and make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment. 

Architect and television presenter George Clarke (Channel 4 – The Home Show) will present the awards with the keynote speech delivered by Chris Wilkinson OBE RA, founder of Wilkinson Eyre Architects.

George Clarke said: "I am delighted to be presenting this years Civic Trust Awards which aim to recognise excellence in design whilst having a positive impact on local communities they serve. From cafés to churches, housing to hospitals, public realm to public art, the Civic Trust Awards offer an opportunity for community focussed built environment success to be celebrated on a truly national level."

The Creative Units project was designed to develop Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s role as a creative hub for arts businesses, arts development agencies, artists and craft workers. 

The mix of artists and arts businesses is a unique feature of this development with both new and established occupants interacting together in a creative and stimulating environment to realise their economic and creative potential. The project also links into the University’s Commercialisation Unit and Spinout Scheme and the Welsh Assembly’s strategy to prioritise development of the creative industry sector. 

The project, worth £1.4 million, was made possible with support from Aberystwyth University, the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government. 

All the units are fully occupied with a range of new and established creative business, working in fields that include TV, music and digital production, book publishing, and professional visual artists.

With their distinctive ‘crinkled steel’ finish, the unique look of the units has proved to be a real draw for creative companies looking for an equally creative base.

Arts Centre Director, Alan Hewson said: "It’s wonderful news to hear that our project has been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. With the creative industries an ever-growing sector in the UK economy, it’s vital that facilities such as ours exist to support the sector, and to create an equally creative and inspirational environment in which to work together."

To view the full shortlist, or to book tickets for the Civic Trust Awards Ceremony please visit www.civictrustawards.org.uk.

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