A private house, two public arts buildings and two education establishments have all won prestigious regional architecture awards.

Kent, Sussex and Surrey are all represented in the 2010 Royal Institute of British Architecture (Riba) awards.

The Towner art gallery in Eastbourne and Crawley library are both honoured.

The other buildings recognised are the School of Arts at the University of Kent in Canterbury, Christ’s College, Guildford and a private house in Kent.

‘Great buildings’

Riba’s South East regional chairman, Graham Whitehouse, said judgments were based on the buildings’ functions as well as their appearance.

“They have got to be buildings that perform on more than one level,” he said.

“For example, Crawley library is a library, it’s a register office, and social services are now just getting in there, as well.”

Riba president Ruth Reed added: “The Riba Awards reflect not only the state of British architecture but also that of its economy.

“In the midst of the deepest recession in the 45-year history of the Riba Awards this year’s winners demonstrate that although times might be hard for architects, there are still great buildings being built throughout the country and overseas.”