Two of Essex’s leading construction projects have scooped top accolades at the RICS East of England Awards 2008.
During a glittering ceremony Beeleigh Abbey, near Maldon, won the RICS East of England Building Conservation Award and RSPB Environment and Education Centre, Purfleet, better known as Rainham Marshes, won the RICS East of England Regeneration Award.
Birkin Haward, partner of van Heyningen and Haward Architects, which designed the new RSPB centre at Purfleet, said: "We are thrilled to receive the award. It is very important for us to be involved in regeneration and it is amazing how a small project can punch above its weight."
Essex County Council, which had an advisory role on the Beeleigh Abbey project - to repair and upgrade of the Grade I listed house – was thrilled with its win. David Andrews, of the council’s Historic Buildings and Conservation department, said: “'The fact that Beeleigh Abbey has won the Conservation Award is wonderful news for the professionals and contractors who worked on the restoration.
“Inspired by its historic and romantic character, they worked to a very high standard. Christopher and Catherine Foyle, whose home it is, love the building: they wanted only the very best, and their enthusiasm communicated itself to everyone involved. Of the team that worked on the Abbey, special thanks should go to Brian Morton, structural engineer; Ed Joslin, clerk of works; Caters, roofing contractors; and Bakers of Danbury.”
Now in their 18th year, the RICS Awards celebrate and recognise exemplary projects across four award categories - building conservation, regeneration, sustainability, and community benefit.
The Theatre Royal in Norwich was crowned the overall ‘Project of the Year’ award winner at the RICS East of England Awards 2008 and also scooped the Community Benefit Award. The major redevelopment, of one of the region’s leading theatres in the heart of Norwich, Norfolk, fought off stiff competition to take the ‘Project of the Year’ prize at the glittering ceremony at Hatfield House, in Hertfordshire.
Tim Foster, partner of Tim Foster Architects which designed the redevelopment of the theatre, said: “We are delighted that the remodelling of the Theatre Royal Norwich has been recognised by this award. The facilities and appearance of this very successful theatre have been transformed on a remarkably modest budget. It can now stand proud as the premier theatre in the region”.
The evening’s other top award winner was:
• Kingspan Lighthouse, Watford, Hertfordshire, winner of the RICS East of England Sustainability Award 2008.
David Potter, RICS East operations director, said: “Congratulations to all those who won an award or received a commendation. I wish them all the very best of luck in the international final later this year. I would also like to thank our sponsors and all of the other entrants for the huge amount of effort they put in, which ensured that this year’s competition was a big success.”
In addition to the category award winners several projects picked up commendations for excellence in their field. These were:
Building Conservation category
Highly commended – West Front of Bury Abbey, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Highly commended – Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Sustainability category
Highly commended – Roche Headquarters, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
The 2008 RICS East of England regional dinner and awards ceremony was hosted by BBC presenter, Janine Machin. Special guest speaker was John Spence, of Harlow Renaissance.
The event was kindly sponsored by ECA, English Heritage, English Partnerships, Inspire East and Ridgeons.
All of the winners of the RICS East of England Awards 2008 will now go through to the RICS Awards international final in London, in October this year.
