Project at the Depot Cinema, Lewes wins at 2018 LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Finals

The site at the Depot Cinema, Pinwell Road, Lewes, constructed by Durtnell & Sons Ltd, designed by Burrell Foley Fischer LLP for Lewes Community Screen and nominated by the building control team from Lewes District Council was awarded the title of Best Public Service Building at the LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Finals – one of the most recognised events on the building industry’s calendar.

A panel of industry experts judged a shortlist of the highest quality projects from around England and Wales to reward the best in technical innovation, sustainability and design.

The Depot is a new community cinema for the town of Lewes in East Sussex, showing feature and independent art-house films, hosting events, exhibitions and festivals, and providing facilities for film education and community activities.

The Depot is a privately funded philanthropic project, delivered without any draw on public funding. The existing warehouse building was retained and contains the three screens (140, 129 and 37 seats). A new glazed extension houses the box office, café/bar and restaurant, giving a contemporary feel to the former industrial building.

Since opening, the venue has proved to be very popular and has become an important part of the cultural sector in the town. It is an excellent example of how client, designers, contractors, building control and planners working together can contribute positively to a community.

LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said: “Our building excellence awards are an opportunity for the industry to celebrate good practice.

"Our winners demonstrate how positive working relationships with local council building control teams achieve high quality, sustainable buildings. Our awards are unique because they recognise how this cooperation improves building standards and professionalism across the industry.”

The panel of expert judges said “The Depot is a lively cinema hub with exhibition space, café and restaurant. Its design and innovative use of technology ensures it’s fully inclusive for the whole community. External lighting minimises light pollution and the extensive green roof of local plants responds to the special character of the South Downs.”    

The Grand Final of the LABC Building Excellence Awards took place on Friday 9 November 2018 at the Westminster Park Plaza in London and was hosted by Dead Ringers star, comedian and impressionist Jon Culshaw.

Over 800 building industry professionals including contractors, architects and engineers attended the celebration to find out which projects won across the 15 hotly contested categories.

About the LABC Building Excellence Awards

The LABC Building Excellence Awards showcase buildings and design teams that have had to tussle with complex technical or construction issues and building site constraints.  

They highlight innovative and creative solutions and building control professionalism that leads to safe, sustainable and high quality construction projects.