WPNSA up for sports and leisure facility architecture award

by Katie Doerr on 15 Apr 2009
The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy has been entered for The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) awards scheme for exemplary sports and leisure facilities.

This is the most important international architecture award for sports and leisure facilities, which are already in successful operation.

In addition to the IOC/IAKS Award it is possible to win an IPC/IAKS Distinction which aims to promote accessibility to sports facilities and all other buildings in order to give people with a disability the opportunity to practice or view sport without limitation or barriers.

This biennial competition, established in 1987, has seen a total of 302 sports and leisure facilities from more than 30 countries honoured with an Award. The awards will be judged on several principle criteria including design concept, environmental aspects and sustainability, barrier-free facility accessibility and features and the quality of the design.

The submission for the awards has been entered jointly by FaulknerBrowns Architects in conjunction with WPNSA. FaulknerBrowns Architects designed the Academy with style whilst maintaining the operational function.

There will be a prize giving ceremony at the International IAKS Congress 2009 in conjunction with the International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities (FSB) in Cologne from the 28 – 30 October 2009.

John Tweed, Chief Executive of WPNSA comments,

‘This is a very significant international architectural award for sports facilities. We understand that we will have very strong competition, but it will be an enormous honour if the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy should win the IOC/IAKS Award. Weymouth and Portland should be proud that we are even being considered for this award and if achieved, it will be a recognition of the hard work and dedication from all the parties involved with the development of WPNSA.’

Neil Taylor, Design Partner, of FaulknerBrowns Architects noted ‘It will be fantastic if the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy wins the IOC/IAKS Award. It will acknowledge both the architecture and the operation of the Academy and it would be a privilege for both the Academy and FaulknerBrowns to receive such an award’.