[Original source: CABE]
Last week, the Built Environment Awards presented by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), shined a spotlight on excellence by recognising outstanding projects that have delivered quality and ingenuity in the Built Environment.
The Built Environment awards were presented in five categories – new build, sustainability, preservation and conservation, facilities management or refurbishment, and digital transformation – and represent the outstanding work that goes on in the construction industry to deliver projects that shape the future of our built environment.
New Build Award
Winner – Daniel Connal Partnership and Kier Construction
Project – The Dyson Building at Gresham’s School, Holt, Norfolk
This project, the combined vision of Sir James Dyson and The Gresham’s School, is an exceptional example of contemporary architecture. Delivering a 400m2 state of the art dedicated STEAM education facility, the building has light-filled airy classrooms, laboratories, and workshops. The project was honoured for its use of creative and bespoke construction techniques showcasing the building’s engineering, allowing students to appreciate how all the parts fit together. Along with its inclusion of renewable and green technologies, which included ground source heat pumps and biophilic green walls, the project considers the wellbeing of the user and the long-term sustainability of the project.
Sustainability Award
Winner – Midland Heart for Project 80
Project – Eco Drive, Birmingham
Project 80 is a research and development programme that has been developed by Midland Heart in conjunction with Birmingham City University. The research is working to develop, monitor, and understand 80 homes that will be built to meet the future homes standard before 2025. Eco Drive in Handsworth is home to the first of twelve buildings that have been constructed by using a traditional build, sourcing local products, and incorporating low and zero-carbon technologies including – photovoltaics, and heat pumps to generate energy and reduce energy consumption.
Preservation and Conservation Award
Winner – NPS Leeds Ltd
Project – Leeds Town Hall Roofing, Leeds
Leeds Town Hall was opened in 1858 by Queen Victoria and is now a Grade I listed heritage asset. The project saw NPS Leeds Ltd involved in the project management to preserve the historic roof. The award honours the team for their sympathetic repair scheme, that has stemmed the gradual deterioration of the roof and has protected this important landmark.
Facilities Management or Refurbish Awards
Winner – Daniel Connal Partnership
Project – YMCA Norfolk Community Hub, Norwich
Existing buildings form the backbone of our everyday lives, and ensuring that refurbishment projects breathe new life into the building is essential to the user’s wellbeing, adding value to society and the environment. The Daniel Connal Partnership team oversaw the complete transformation of the deteriorating disused social centre, turning it into a vibrant and sustainable community hub with a café, meeting rooms and office spaces. The award honours the projects demonstration of good practice and innovative solutions, to ensure that the project balanced the client’s aspirations, and the building performance within its budget.
Digital Transformation Award
Winner – Glider
Project – HMP Five Wells, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
Digital technologies are changing the face of the construction industry, and Glider’s work on the HMP Five Wells project is an outstanding example of what can be achieved, when you adopt new technologies and incorporate them into the project processes. The use of Glider’s gliderbim® by the Ministry of Justice in this project, shows the benefits of using BIM (Building Information Management). The software enables high quality data, handover information, and maintainable asset data, to be accessible throughout the project and for the life of the building.
The Built Environment Awards are assessed against five criteria – impact, sustainability, inclusivity, quality, and client satisfaction.
“All the winners and highly commended recipients of the Built Environment Awards have demonstrated that they are working on truly exceptional projects. Projects which are being constructed to the highest standards, ensuring that the building industry is delivering a safer and more sustainable future"
Lord John Lytton
CABE Awards Panel Chair