SWINDON'S latest hi-tech car showroom is among the nominations for a prestigious architecture and design award.

The recently-completed Porsche showroom in Great Western Way will compete with other outstanding new buildings in the UK for a Civic Trust Awards 2003 and its designers, Nigel Clark Architects of Wroughton, think it's got what it takes to win.

Chris Moore, a partner in the firm, explained: "The Porsche showroom had a budget of £1.3million and has been re-modelled from the existing building previously occupied by BMW.

"It has been designed in line with Porsche's new corporate image and is subtle but striking."

Asked what marks the buildings out from Swindon's other car showrooms Chris explained: "The Porsche building doesn't have the traditional huge glass framed frontage, but is very low only 2.4metres high and is more like a jewellers' window."

He said the illuminated frontage shows off the £40,000-plus cars to perfection. Nigel Clarke architects won the contract to design the new dealership after completing many successful projects in and around Swindon, including the BMW garage in Rushy Platt, the Shaw Ridge housing development and the refurbishment of Spencer's Farmhouse in Wroughton High Street.

Chris added: "This is the first time we've entered the Civic Trust awards and it would be fabulous to win.

"We think that when the Porsche garage opens on October 14 people will agree that it's a worthy building for one of Swindon's most visual areas."

The Civic Trust charity campaigns for a better built environment and its awards scheme is run on a two-year cycle one year entries are invited from the UK's countryside, country towns and smaller cities and the next from major cities. Swindon winners last time around in 2001 were the council's Steam museum and Cellular Operations' HQ.

Recognition can take the form of an award, commendation or mention and Swindon is looking to better the commendations it has received in previous years by winning some awards in this year's contest.

Other buildings nominated for the 2003 awards in Wiltshire are the Millennium Library in Calne, Crescent House in Compton Bassett, the cricket pavilion at Stourhead. Winners will be announced in the spring.