The 2012 Handball Arena and the Hackney Marshes Centre were the two schemes selected as winners by the panel of judges made up of experts in development and the built environment, including award-winning architects and a development expert from English Heritage.

Nick-named ‘The Copper Box’, the 2012 Handball Arena is one of only four permanent venues on the Olympic Park and is the third largest indoor arena in London.  Designed by Make, the judges praised the structure for its ‘overwhelming design poise and control’.  

The Stanton Williams designed Hackney Marshes Centre was also recognised as a winning scheme in a unanimous decision by the judging panel.

Urswick School was crowned winner of the People’s Choice Award, which allows residents and visitors to vote for their favourite design from the shortlist of 19 buildings and spaces.  Avanti architects were commissioned to design the 750 pupil secondary school as part of the Hackney’s Building Schools for the Future programme.

Richard Brown head teacher at Urswick School said: “We’re delighted to win, it’s testament to the level of support the children have for their new school.  Our results have improved significantly since we moved into the new building, which shows how creating the right learning environment can help young people to flourish.”