Nine new winners of the prestigious York Design Awards were announced at this year’s presentation ceremony held at the Berrick Saul Building at the University of York.

They include four new homes, a restored Georgian house, a school nursery, a museum, a new university building and restoration work on York Minster.

Work on the South Quire on the East front of York Minster which won an award for conservation also won the Lord Mayor’s Award 2011. The project team, led by Master Mason John David and Superintendent of Works Rebecca Thompson, collected the awards from The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr. David Horton.

Now in their fifth year, York Design Awards received an added boost in 2011 with the announcement of a three year sponsorship agreement with York company S Harrison Developments Ltd. Other sponsors include York Civic Trust, City of York Council, York Archaeological Trust, York Guild of Building and Beyond Colour.

A four strong judging team had spent two days viewing the 23 entries for this year’s awards before choosing the nine 2011 winners.

Speaking to an audience of 120 guests, chairman of the judging panel, world-acclaimed architect Robert Adam, praised York for upholding high standards of building design across the city. He said:

"These awards are so important for the city. They help reinforce the message that good design, and good conservation, is vital to keep York special. What has been so interesting is to see that commitment to quality applied not just on “blockbuster” projects but also on smaller, less spectacular schemes. The beauty of the York Design Awards is that they recognise excellence across the board."

Robert Adam was joined on the panel this year by historic buildings adviser Peter de Figueiredo; Emma England, director of RIBA in Yorkshire and Dr Hendrik Louw, senior lecturer at Newcastle University’s school of architecture, planning and landscape. BBC Radio York’s Elly Fiorentini hosted the event.

A list of the winners can be found here.