UK Awards 2025

The Commercial Development category is awarded to an outstanding commercial property development or initiative whether retail, office, industrial or mixed-use.

Shortlisted

• 8 Bishopsgate, London
• Fulham Pier, London
• Welcome Building, Bristol
• Melville Building, Royal William Yard, Plymouth
• Co-Op Live Arena, Etihad Campus, Manchester
• HSBC Leicester Office, Bede Island Business Park, Leicester

Commercial Development Highly Commended – 8 Bishopsgate, London

Nominated by Turner & Townsend Alinea

8 Bishopsgate is a landmark 50-storey mixed-use tower in the heart of the City of London. Developed by Mitsubishi Estate and Stanhope PLC, the building provides office accommodation, retail spaces, extensive building amenities, and a public viewing gallery at level 50.

Situated in the Eastern Tall Building Cluster, it blends contemporary design with the City's historical context.

As the first London tower to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, it sets a new standard for sustainability. The development supports the local economy by attracting businesses, creating jobs, and enhancing the area for residents, workers and visitors alike.

Judge’s Comments

This new 50 storey mixed use tower in the Eastern Tall Building Cluster provides mixed use accommodation including a public viewing gallery giving stunning views over the city and beyond. In achieving BREEAM Outstanding and innovative design features it sets new sustainability standards and is viewed as an exemplar for future tall towers. Health and well being is at the heart of the building and good levels of lettings are a testimony that the tower enhances the current office offer in the City but which also benefits the local community.

Richard Moxon BSc FRICS

National Commercial Development Judge

Commercial Development Winner – Welcome Building, Bristol

Nominated by Trammell Crow Company

Welcome Building is a highly sustainable new workplace that significantly raises the bar within its sector. It stands out from the rest, from the highest industry credentials to harnessing innovation to not only deliver the project in an exemplary way but also ensure it operates as such.

This is a user-focused, wellbeing-led and inclusive scheme. Formed of low carbon materials, it has been delivered through a collaborative approach that drives efficiency and enables the building to operate as net zero. Welcome Building represents the future of the workplace, establishing a new standard not just for the south-west but nationwide.

Judges’ Comments

“Welcome Building is an exceptional commercial office development, from the outset the team shared the strategic vision which has delivered a workplace for the future. Bristol now benefits from a building which has set a blueprint and benchmark in sustainability, wellbeing and community. Set over nine floors this net zero building has enhanced the local area and raised the bar within its sector, innovations such as linking the building to the Bristol Heat Network and numerous wellbeing  initiatives mark the way forward and to the future of commercial development.”

Richard Moxon BSc FRICS

National Commercial Development Judge

The Community Benefit category recognises outstanding achievement in providing a facility that directly benefits the local community. The project must illustrate its success through local community feedback with diversity and inclusion embedded throughout.

Shortlisted

• Sherwood Observatory, Nottingham
• Shankill Shared Women’s Centre, Belfast
• Community Diagnostic Centre, Gateshead
• Gasyard Heritage and Exhibition Centre, Derry
• Knightsbridge Step-Free Access Works, London
• Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Smethwick
• Sandgate School, Kendal
• Tiber Community Building, Liverpool
• Tustin Estate, London
• Urban Splash, Royal William Yard, Plymouth

Community Benefit Highly Commended - Sherwood Observatory, Nottingham

Nominated by Anotherkind Architects

The new state-of-the-art Science Discovery Centre and Planetarium development at Sherwood Observatory has created a landmark building for Nottinghamshire and reinvigorated STEM education in the region by inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers, as well as supporting future job growth.

The new development delivers an immersive and unique educational experience for all ages that will attract visitors from across the East Midlands and beyond to Ashfield for years to come.

Judges’ Comments

This outstanding project, undertaken by a relatively small charity, makes inspired use of a redundant underground reservoir which has been converted for exhibition purposes.

Above this a new building contains Reception Areas, a Café and a State of the Art Planetarium.

Overall, the complex is a very popular visitor attraction and makes a significant contribution to Education in Science for the Region.

Hugh Kemsley OBE MA FRICS

National Community Benefit Judge

Community Benefit Winner - Shankill Shared Women’s Centre, Belfast

Nominated by TODD Architects

The Shankill Shared Women’s Centre in North & West Belfast is a purpose-built facility for women and families from all communities. Spanning 3,250m² across three floors, it includes a multi-purpose hall, nursery, education rooms, youth units, health facilities, and a café.

Funded through the EU PEACE IV Programme, the centre promotes social cohesion and offers services focused on education, wellbeing, and youth empowerment. Designed by TODD Architects and project managed by W H Stephens, it provides a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment. Since its 2024 completion, it has become a hub for personal development, community connection, and growth.

Judges’ Comments

This new centre is the culmination of over 35 years of determination and hard work, now providing a full range of activities for women of all ages, including a nursery for children of pre-school age, educational and health activities – particularly strong for teenagers – and good spaces for outside organisations to rent.

This outstanding project was borne out of the community with individuals from that community involved in all stages of the development and is now serving women from all sectors of the locality of Belfast. create facilities to support women from 'cradle to grave'.

This new centre is the culmination of determination and hard work, now providing a sustainable community service to an area where there is a long-standing need for such services.

Hugh Kemsley OBE MA FRICS

National Community Benefit Judge

The Heritage Project category honours excellent work in the conservation of a single building or a group of buildings or structures and covers renovation or conversion to a new or original use. 

Shortlisted

• V&A Museum, Madejski Courtyard, London
• Rochdale Town Hall, Rochdale
• The Buttermarket, Redruth
• Elizabeth Tower, Westminster
• Edinburgh Futures Institute, University of Edinburgh
• Ivy Lodge, Cirencester
• Rosslyn Castle, Roslin
• Soane Stable Yard, Royal Hospital Chelsea, London
• The Compass Point Project, The Storm Tower, Bude
• The Rising' at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Near Darlington
• Walworth Town Hall, London

Heritage Winner – Rochdale Town Hall, Rochdale

Nominated by Donald Insall Associates

Rochdale Town Hall, one of the UK’s most important 19th-century buildings, has been unlocked for 21st-century public use. Despite facing many challenges, the project was delivered on time and on budget, transforming a tired civic building into one that imbues pride within the local community.

Extensive repair and restoration has been undertaken and previously unseen spaces are accessible for the first time.

Over 3600 volunteer, training and job opportunities were created and a heritage skills studio established. The public realm, once car parks, has been transformed into a multi-functional civic space offering a vibrant inclusive welcome.

Judges’ Comments

This Grade I listed Victorian Gothic masterpiece designed by William H Crossland has been meticulously and sympathetically restored, including a series of design interventions which have been made to improve physical and intellectual access to this much-loved town hall. This exemplar restoration project is pivotal to the heritage regeneration of the whole borough and has ensured that this important 19th century building has its future secured and is now a place of pride for the Rochdale community.

Kerry Gibbs MRICS

UK Chair and Lead Heritage Judge

This category celebrates best practice in the stewardship and management of land, and in the planning and delivery of development in a way that helps achieve the economic, social, environmental, and cultural elements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Shortlisted

• Langford Lowfields, Newark
• Soldiers Centre, Alexander Barracks, Pirbright
• The Parks, Herefordshire
• Water Secondment, Bromsgrove Schemes, Bromsgrove

Land Management and Sustainable Development Winner – Langford Lowfields, Newark

Nominated by Tarmac Trading

Langford Lowfields Nature Reserve marks the culmination of a strategic minerals estate land management and sustainable development project that was first conceived in the 1980s.

A three way partnership bringing together the expertise of Tarmac, Trinity College, Cambridge and the RSPB, it has demonstrated how exceptional planning and land management vision can combine the commercial imperatives of mineral operations with achieving long-term, ecological goals.

The recent successful transfer of ownership of the nature reserve to the RSPB establishes a lasting legacy which, alongside the ecological benefits, provides a valuable amenity for health and wellbeing, leisure and education.

Judges’ Comments

The Langford Lowfield Project showcased how long-term planning and collaboration can deliver essential minerals and provide progressive restoration to a unique habitat for birds.

It is a testament to the long-term vision and collaboration of landowners Tarmac Trading, Trinity College Cambridge and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) that a 120ha wetland nature reserve has been created within an operational sand and gravel quarry.

Orchestrated by Chartered Mineral Surveyors within the Tarmac Land and Resources Team, planning permission was secured for the phased extraction of 11 million tonnes of sand and gravel.

Throughout the 30 year history of quarrying at the site, the three parties have worked together to plan, operate and successfully shape the restoration of the site to a mosaic of priority wetland habitats.

The site is still evolving and the habitats maturing, but currently the reedbed area covers about 70ha of the site, making it the largest in the East Midlands.

The RICS judges were hugely impressed by the scheme and the enthusiasm of those who are delivering the project, from the quarry staff to the RSPB staff and volunteers.
This is an exemplar in land management and sustainable development.

David Sandbrook, FRICS

UK National Land Management and Sustainable Development Lead Judge

The Public Sector Project category celebrates an exceptional public sector project. From schools, hospitals, and leisure centres through to our roads, rail and tunnels, these projects influence and shape our built environment   

Shortlisted

• Institute of Technology, Loughborough College
• Daphne Steele Building, University of Huddersfield's National Health Innovation Campus
• Parkhead Health, Social Care and Community Hub, Glasgow
• Army Head Quarters, Andover
• Citizen Housing, Solihull
• College of Arts & Society, Coventry University
• Dunfermline Learning Campus, Dunfermline
• The Hard Interchange, Bus Apron Replacement Scheme, Portsmouth
• The Portico GP Surgery, Hackney

Public Sector Winner - Parkhead Health, Social Care and Community Hub, Glasgow

Nominated by Hub West Scotland

Parkhead Hub is the largest primary care facility in the Country supporting the North East locality of Glasgow by improving local access to health, social care and community-based services.

Through the construction period the project has delivered over £19.5M in social value and supported a number of local community projects. The design offers a robust, yet warm material pallet with high quality materials complemented by generous areas of soft landscaping.

This will be NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s first net zero in operation facility and will support a wide range of health and community services within a bright, welcoming and modern environment.

Judges’ Comments

This ground- breaking net zero healthcare and community facility is transforming the service delivery in the East of Glasgow benefitting over 176,000 people. The hub brings together a comprehensive range of services across acute, primary care, mental health, children's services, addiction support, homelessness assistance and many more needed activities into a single accessible location. Community involvement is enhanced with priority given to local councils, voluntary groups and even includes the Parkhead Library. Scotland's first net zero operational facility, no fossil fuels are used in the building is used as a exemplar and a blueprint for the way forward in Scotland for the delivery of health and related services.

Richard Moxon BSc FRICS

National Commercial Development Judge

The Refurbishment/Revitalisation Project category honours an outstanding restoration/part restoration of a building that was no longer fit for purpose with the aim of making it more energy efficient and sustainable.  

Shortlisted

• Walthamstow’s Former Granada Cinema, London
• Stephenson Building, Newcastle University
• The Story, Mount Oswald, Durham
• Design & Digital Arts Building, Nottingham Trent University
• The Estate Office, Englefield Estate Yard, Reading
• The Glasshouse at the Walled Garden, Helen’s Bay

Refurbishment/Revitalisation Winner - Stephenson Building, Newcastle University        

Nominated by Identity Consult

The Stephenson Building at Newcastle University brings multiple engineering disciplines together under one roof in the form of a world class hub for engineering excellence and cross-disciplinary collaboration and industry partnerships.

Located in the heart of the Newcastle University campus, the redeveloped building spans 198,000 square feet and features extraordinary research spaces, a student-run maker space and both specialist and multi-purpose education spaces along with technical workshops and support.

With a focus on digital manufacturing, sustainable propulsion and biomedical engineering, this hub is now a beacon for world leading education, research and collaboration.

Judges’ Comments

The project sought to reinvigorate the existing outdated and inefficient 1950s engineering block with a future-proofed refurbishment and a dramatic extension, expanding the floor area to house seven engineering disciplines.

The new vibrant atrium is central to highly functional study, workshop and collaboration spaces, letting in natural light and visibility across floors, reflecting the open and cross-disciplinary nature of the faculty.

The welcoming, bright and well-designed accommodation has attracted a marked increase in female students, generated more research funding and led to best practice sharing amongst universities.

The transformative highly sustainable refurbishment and revitalisation of the faculty is well deserving of category winner.

Saba Nayab BSc FRICS

UK National Awards Refurbishment/Revitalisation Lead Judge

The Residential Project category honours an outstanding residential development of either a single building or overall project, new build, or conversion. 

• Ebury Estate Regeneration, Westminster
• The Cocoa Works, Clifton
• Ross Street Mews, Belfast
• The Parks, Herefordshire
• Hazelmead, Bridport
• Lowfield Green, York
• Noele Gordon House, London
• Thie Clag, Douglas
• Water Row, Glasgow
• Western Villages, Edinburgh

Residential Project Winner - Ebury Estate, London

Nominated by Astudio and Westminster City Council

The Ebury Estate Regeneration project in Westminster delivers a significant contribution to the borough’s housing needs, targeting 50% affordable housing while ensuring high-quality living environments.

The design prioritises well-proportioned homes with generous ceiling heights, dual-aspect layouts, and no single-aspect north-facing units. Public spaces are thoughtfully enhanced to create inclusive, safe, and vibrant environments for all ages.

The scheme integrates retail and non-residential uses to support the community, alongside extensive urban greening. New planting and the retention of Category A trees reinforces a sustainable, nature-led approach, making this development a benchmark for socially and environmentally conscious regeneration.

Judges’ Comments

The project brought together a wide range of local stakeholder groups, working closely with existing residents to ensure their needs were genuinely understood and addressed - both individually and collectively - through community-led design workshops.

This collaborative process shaped the first phase of the development, creating an open and welcoming environment that fostered social interaction and enhanced safety through thoughtful landscaping and well-considered building layouts.

The scheme delivered mixed-tenure housing, including homes for returning residents, helping to strengthen and rebuild the original community. It also achieved a significant reduction in carbon footprint compared to the former estate by adopting a fabric-first approach, supported by innovative technologies, sustainable M&E systems, and the use of high-quality, durable materials.

The result is a standout example of residential regeneration: delivering high-quality homes, revitalising the local area, and demonstrating what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and strong teamwork.

Sean Farrell KSNPM

UK National Awards Residential Development Lead Judge

This category recognises projects where innovation, design or construction techniques have been utilised to address environmental challenges and improve sustainability.

Shortlisted

• York Minster, York
• The Natural History Museum, London
• Colwick (Holme Sluices) Fish Pass, Colwick Country Park
• Welcome Building, Bristol

Environmental Impact Highly Commended – York Minster

Nominated by York Minster

184 solar panels on the roof of York Minster were installed on the south Quire roof between October and December 2024. The panels are now generating >70,000 kWh of energy, enough to deliver a third of the Minster’s electricity requirements.

The solar panel installation is one of many projects underway across the Minster as part of its Neighbourhood Plan. The plan, which has recently attracted international awards for innovation, is designed to address the challenges of the 21st century, principally responding to the climate emergency and the impacts of climate change on the fragile gothic masterpiece and its estate.

Judges’ Comments

This year’s Highly Commended Award for Environmental Impact goes to a project that has shown true leadership in proving how even the most historic buildings can play their part in tackling the climate crisis.

At York Minster – one of the world’s greatest Gothic cathedrals, a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Monument – 184 discreetly installed solar panels on the South Quire roof are now generating more than 70,000 kWh of clean electricity each year. This delivers around a third of the Minster’s power and cuts over 11 tonnes of carbon annually.

The achievement lies not only in the energy savings but also in the way the project overcame complex planning challenges. Guided by the Localism Act and the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan, the Chapter and project team worked with City of York Council, Historic England and the local community to secure approval for renewable energy on an internationally recognised heritage site.

The outcome was minimal visual impact but a powerful statement: if solar technology can be sensitively integrated here, it can be done anywhere.

The judges praised the Minster’s moral duty to act on climate change, its leadership in aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals, and its precedent for sustainable innovation worldwide.

Mike Ward FRICS, FCABE, FAPM, MCIOB, MICWCI, MIoR, CEnv, CMgr FCMI

UK National Awards Environmental Impact Lead Judge

Environmental Impact Award Winner – The Natural History Museum

Nominated by The Natural History Museum

The Museum’s South Kensington five-acre gardens have been transformed into a welcoming, accessible and biologically diverse green space with new outdoor galleries providing a place for visitors, researchers, and scientists to learn about Earth’s changing biological diversity.

With ambitious and demanding KPIs, creating a highly accessible and sustainable design has been at the heart of this low carbon redevelopment. The project’s sustainable construction methods has been widely recognised, awarded the Silver Prize for Europe at the Holcim Foundation Awards for Sustainable Construction 2023.

Judges’ Comments

The Urban Nature Project at the Natural History Museum has turned previously underused gardens into a vibrant, accessible landscape – a haven for people and wildlife, and a living laboratory for science and education. Its new outdoor learning spaces are helping thousands of young people dig into what urban nature is, what it does, how it’s changing, and what we can all do to support it.

The project team embraced innovation and sustainability at every stage: delivering a diesel-free, zero-waste-to-landfill construction, embedding passive low-carbon design, and restoring diverse habitats including woodland, wetland, and grassland.

Equally impressive has been the teamwork behind the scheme – from scientists and designers to contractors and community groups – all working together to create a space that not only inspires over a million visitors each year, but also sets new benchmarks for inclusive design, wellbeing, and urban biodiversity.

For its vision, innovation, and outstanding environmental leadership, the RICS Environmental Impact Award 2025 goes to the Urban Nature Project at the Natural History Museum.

Mike Ward FRICS, FCABE, FAPM, MCIOB, MICWCI, MIoR, CEnv, CMgr FCMI

UK National Awards Environmental Impact Lead Judge

This category recognises an outstanding small surveying firm or team with less than 50 employees.

Shortlisted

• Honeywell Survey & Design Ltd
• Air Building Consultancy Limited
• Ekkist
• Magnitude Quantity Surveyors Ltd
• River Crest Surveyors & Valuers
• Scafol Surveying Solutions
• SHARP Contract & Surveying Ltd - Gull Wing Bridge

Outstanding Contribution to Surveying by a SME Winner - Ekkist

Nominated by Ekkist

Ekkist is the UK’s first health and well-being consultancy for the built environment, advising on design and operations of buildings to support human health.

In 2024, major residential developers including L&G, Clarion, Almacantar and Igloo Regeneration adopted the Ekkist Healthy Homes Checklist highlighting success in our ongoing mission to improve the standard of British housing.

Ekkist completed a WELL Platinum scheme for Landsec, consulted on the UK’s first WELL for Residential scheme, worked on high profile WELL projects and innovative bespoke projects using the Ekkist Design for Well-being Framework, as well as speaking at major industry events.

Judges’ Comments

Ekkist, a profound small surveying firm which has topped this year’s award for its outstanding contribution to the profession through its commitment to professionalism, collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.

Not only have surveyors in the team actively co-written and contributed to articles such as RICS Guidance and Standards they have taken the time to out of their day-to-day business initiatives to support and guide new and existing surveyors across the UK and beyond that has truly benefitted the wider profession.

Their diverse skillsets and inclusive approach foster strong stakeholder relationships, while their business model challenges conventional thinking by prioritising human health in building design.

Though revenue is not their primary focus, they consistently exceed professional standards and deliver impactful projects.

Ekkist integrates sustainability and social value into its work, promoting environmental awareness and well-being, and exemplifies resilience and leadership in addressing industry challenges.

Selina Baptiste MRICS

UK National Awards Outstanding Contribution to Surveying by an SME Lead Judge

This category recognises an outstanding small surveying firm or team with more than 50 employees.

Shortlisted

• Mott MacDonald CCQE (Cost, Commercial, Quantity Surveying and Estimating Team)
• Transport for London, PCCCSE (Procurement & Commercial, Capital - Construction, Station Enhancements Team)

Outstanding Large Surveying Team/Firm Winner - Transport for London, PCCCSE (Procurement & Commercial, Capital - Construction, Station Enhancements Team)

Nominated by Transport for London

The Transport for London, Procurement & Commercial, Capital, Construction, Station Enhancements Team has successfully redefined surveying’s role in procurement, commercial strategy, and infrastructure delivery.

By integrating Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), innovative and incentive drive commercial models, risk sharing, and effective supply chain relationships, the team has set a new industry benchmark for commercial excellence in transport infrastructure. Our work has delivered real cost savings, efficiency improvements, and sustainable outcomes, reinforcing our commitment to shaping the future of the UK’s built environment.

Judges’ Comments

The TfL Procurement & Commercial, Capital – Construction, Station Enhancements Team (TfL PCCSE) have outshone this year’s medium and large firm RICS Awards. 

The team are a testament to the strength and dedication of surveying and highlight how even large public authorities can—and should—strive to uphold the highest standards set by RICS.

Their newly innovative procurement strategy, built on a surveying-led commercial model, has delivered long-term benefits and reduced cost overruns by 50%, which is now embedded across major station projects.

Leadership is inclusive and supportive, spanning all levels from apprentices and above. They exceed expectations through rigorous training, adherence to RICS ethics, and a strong public service ethos.

Their health and well-being are actively promoted through awareness programmes, and the inclusive culture is supported. This again reinforcing their holistic approach to social value and environmental impact.

This award celebrates the team’s commitment to professionalism, innovation, and sustainability, and reinforces the importance of aligning public sector delivery with RICS best practices.

Mandy Spenceley BSc FRICS

UK National Outstanding Contribution to Surveying by a Large Firm Lead Judge

This Award acknowledges an extraordinary volunteer for their distinguished service in advancing the Institutions UK Advocacy & Influence agenda such as Sustainability, data and technology, diversity and inclusion, people and skills and places and spaces to ensure that built environment enables society to meet the challenges of the future.

Shortlisted

We are delighted that this year’s recipient is:

This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to RICS and the wider profession and who has achieved greater social benefit through their work in the built environment, championing social impact and driving through change.

We are delighted that this year’s recipient is: