VOTE: Pick your top design by Worcestershire architects in People's Choice Award

After the success of the initial competition last year, the Worcestershire Society of Chartered Architects are calling for entries to the 2018 awards.

The designs can be for buildings anywhere in the world, by architects based in Worcestershire.

One category, the People's Choice Award, will be decided by a public vote by Worcester News readers.

Voting is open until 5pm on Thursday August 16 and you can pick your winner by emailing michael.purton@newsquest.co.uk, posting a comment below or filling in the slip in Tuesday July 24's paper and posting it to our office.

For the other categories, a panel consisting of architects and non-architects will judge the entries on Thursday August 9.

Winners will be announced at 2pm on Saturday August 25 during an all-day exhibition of the entries at Worcester Guildhall.

For more on the awards, see ribaworcestershire.co.uk/awards

The finalists in the People's Choice Awards:

1. The Lotus Pearl Cultural Centre and Concert Hall in China by One Creative Environments Ltd

"The Lotus Pearl Cultural Centre and Concert Hall design is for a world class sustainable facility that celebrates Chinese culture, attracts inward investment and becomes a wonderful destination for all to enjoy.”

2. St John's Almshouse, Lichfield, Staffordshire, by KKE Architects

"The St John's Almshouse project comprises 18 new flats... the almshouses provide sheltered accommodation, or more specifically, independent living for older people."

3. Trent Valley Crematorium, Aston-on-Trent, South Derbyshire, by Howl Associates

"Located in open ‘green belt’ countryside, the building has been designed to minimise visual and environmental impact adopting a simple horizontal design idiom with large over-sailing roofs that offer both shelter and a place for those attending a service to gather when arriving and departing."

4. Henwick Road Student Accommodation, Worcester by DJD Architects

"The redevelopment of this imposing, Grade II listed, Victorian gothic, former orphanage will provide modern, desirable, purpose designed accommodation ideally located for Worcester’s growing student population."

5. Classroom Extension at Crowle CE First School by Jacobs (Worcester)

"The new extension comprises a single space with cloaks and an integral practical area. The form of the building is intended to echo that of the Edwardian extension."

6. Weavers’ Cottages, Kidderminster by Rodney Melville + Partners

"A rare remaining example of a building designed for domestic and workshop use, the cottages had long been neglected and forgotten until Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust had a vision to repair and convert them for modern living."

7. Chaddesley Driers in Chaddesley Corbett by Zebra Architects

"In 2017, Zebra gained planning approval for a luxury 5-bed house on the site of the former industrial building. With its rural location and position along side the traditional farm buildings of Long More, the challenge was to create a contemporary luxury home that respected its context and created a positive improvement to the area."

8. Victoria Road, Malvern by Ben Cunliffe Architects Ltd

"The brief was to create a contemporary, spacious and sustainable home for a young family. The house needed to include generous, open plan living space well suited to entertaining; private, comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms for the family; a garage and a study.”