Another award for the De La Warr Pavilion

Presented by Griff Rhys Jones at a ceremony held at the Emirates Stadium, the awards scheme '“ now in its 50th year '“ celebrates projects that are recognised as culturally, socially or economically beneficial, and make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment.

Originally designed by Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermeyeff, and opened in 1935, the restoration of this Grade 1 Modernist building transformed a stunning building that had fallen into disrepair into the most significant centre for contemporary arts in the south east.

The judges commented, "This work has maintained the vibrant quality of the original and given it a new lease of life, proving that excellent design transcends time.

"This is a landmark building for Bexhill, and its transformation gives a new identity to the civic landscape, providing a popular cultural and meeting venue."

Alan Haydon, director of the De La Warr Pavilion said, "The De La Warr Pavilion can now respond to the cultural aspirations of a 21st century community and in so doing, bring new relevance to the continuing spirit of modernism.

!This significant award is symbolic of this great building's most recent journey."

Pauline Nee, head of historic buildings at JMP, who accepted the award, said, "The reinvention of the De La Warr Pavilion has had a real regenerative effect on the town and has been the catalyst for further projects, such as Bexhill Museum, also recently completed by the practice."