A stunning art gallery in the heart of Lenham is one of three Kent buildings to be recognised during an architecture awards ceremony.

The Process Gallery, by Guy Hollaway Architects was named one of the winners of the awards for the South East by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The former pig shed, in Sandway Road, was transformed into purpose-built gallery to house work created by x-ray artist Nick Veasey.

Sevenoaks School Science and Technology Centre and Global Study Centre, as well as Kent Downs House, in Ashford, also won awards.

The ceremony held at Newbury Racecourse on Thursdayhelped recognise five other buildings across the South East.

Regional jury chair, Alan Mitchell, said: "Overall, architecture appears to be in a healthy state across the region.

"We visited some great buildings and, perhaps most importantly, witnessed the energy produced by true client involvement in the design process and a natural consequential enthusiasm for the end result.

“It was great to see a shortlist of buildings designed by mostly local architects, a list certainly not dominated by the larger London practices.

"Many of the buildings we visited demonstrated a thoughtful re-examination of the vernacular and what this becomes when reinterpreted through the filter of contemporary architecture.

"In these buildings, it was refreshing to see the use of concrete and metal challenge the pervasive regional palette of timber and stone – an interesting response to the not-so-picturesque, indo-agricultural vernacular context of some parts of the region."

RIBA South East Award winners will also be considered for a highly coveted national award in recognition of their architectural excellence, which will be announced next month.

The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning buildings later in the year.

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