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RICS Awards 2019 - Call for Entries

RICS Awards 2019 - Call for Entries

The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. They celebrate the achievements and successes of RICS professionals and their impact on local communities.

It is a perfect chance to highlight how the profession impacts the built environment. Be sure to enter our awards to gain recognition and to reward all who have collaborated on the innovative projects that you have been working on.

Good luck to all who enter.

Matthew Howell, Managing Director, UK and Ireland, RICS

Submit your entry

Using our online entry system, it is quick and easy to submit your entrance to the RICS Awards 2019.

Enter now

The deadline for submissions is 25 January 2019.

How does the process work?

Entries are accepted into eight categories. Each of these will be demonstrating how professionals use their skills to develop, regenerate and conserve the environment in which they live and work. If you think your project could be a winner then send us your entry.

The judges will select regional award winners for each of the categories, which will be announced at 12 prestigious awards ceremonies to be held in the regions throughout April & May 2019 - see who took home the regional prizes in 2018.

These regional winners will then compete to be the national category winner and for the ultimate accolade - Project of the Year 2019 at the RICS Awards 2019 Grand Final, to be held in London in October 2019.

Find out more about the RICS Awards

Download our 2019 sponsorship prospectus (1.08MB)

Project of the Year

All eight regional project winners will go forward to the national award, presented to the overall winner that is judged to have excelled in the main categories, and is considered to be the most remarkable example of how surveyors have contributed to the landscape of the UK.

Awards categories and judging criteria

What the judges are looking for

While the design, visual appearance, size and cost of the project are important, they are not the determining factors.

The judges will consider:

  • Concept, purpose, use and most importantly the project’s perceived impact on the end users in both the medium and long-term
  • Economic viability and value for money
  • How the project was funded and who was behind the project
  • Flexibility and adaptability of the design
  • How the project has performed since completion

The judges will also be looking for commitment to sustainability

  • Efficient use of resources: use of recycled construction materials and monitoring systems, setting of performance targets, use of energy efficient construction procedures and ‘green’ measures to solve
  • Waste and transport needs
  • Location: how the building contributes to the needs of the area: flood, drainage and erosion and biodiversity management plans
  • Accessibility: how inclusive design principles have been incorporated into the project
  • Monitoring of occupier satisfaction in terms of disabled access, air quality, natural daylight, etc
  • Promoting an understanding of carbon awareness to staff, customers and/or visitors
  • Achievement of pre and/or post occupancy sustainability certification

Be Inspired

Think you could rival our regional Project of the Year winners from 2018?

Find our more about the individual categories

  • This award showcases exceptional improvements to urban, rural or coastal areas. Judges will look for a scheme that has conserved or improved the built or natural environment in a way that has contributed to the viability of the area, including:

    • The background/history of the site – why the need for regeneration?
    • Is the scheme part of a wider regeneration policy in the area?
    • What particular problems have been overcome?
    • Did it involve handling contaminated land?
    • Who uses or occupies the area? How have they received the scheme?
    • Was the local community involved in the development and what was their reaction?
    • Has the scheme acted as a catalyst for other improvements in the area?
    • What are the area’s long-term prospects?
    Yorkshire-Piece-Hall-and-Library-Project-Paul-White-Photography
    Yorkshire and Humber 2018 Project of the Year: The Piece Hall and Central Library, Halifax

  • This award showcases outstanding work in conservation of a single building or a group of buildings or structures and covers renovation or conservation to a new or original use.

    The judges will consider:

    • what was the philosophy behind the repair and conservation?
    • how much of the original material remains in the building, and what are the important architectural features? 
    • what research was carried out and how did it affect your decisions?
    • what techniques were adopted to conserve or re-use original materials & what traditional materials and/or techniques were used?
    • how has any future use impacted on the character of the building? 
    • what are the major conservation achievements? 
    • were there any significant difficulties and how did you overcome them? 
    • what “educational” opportunities were taken – apprentice training, professional visits or other? 
    • how were environmental considerations incorporated into the project and how has future maintenance been provided for? 
    • who is the occupier and how is it used? 
    • how have users and the local community received it? 
    • what are the building’s long-term prospects?
    NI-the-tropical-Ravine
    Northern Ireland 2018 Project of the Year: The Tropical Ravine, Belfast

  • This award recognises outstanding achievement in providing a facility which directly benefits the local community. The project must illustrate its success through local community feedback. Projects may be single or groups of buildings in urban, rural or coastal areas. They may be new or improvements to existing facilities.

    The judges will consider: 

    • what was the level of community involvement? 
    • what community initiatives or special projects are linked to the project? 
    • does the project enhance the local landscape/ streetscape?
    • was best practice used in design and construction? 
    • how is responsible use encouraged? 
    • has public access been improved or increased?
    • who uses the project and what is their reaction?
    • how do you rate its long-term prospects?
    RICS Awards, East Midlands, Get Busy Living Centre, 020518, mb
    East Midlands 2018 Project of the Year: Get Busy Living Centre, Melton Mowbray

  • This award recognises the use of outstanding innovation in designing a project. The judges will look for evidence that the creative use of innovative design and technical innovation has enhanced a project across a wide range of criteria.

    The judges will consider:

    • how have specific innovations and design elements made a positive contribution to the project overall?
    • how have innovative technology and construction methods been used to enhance the project?
    • has the design/innovation achieved the highest standards and raised the quality and local distinctiveness of development in the area? 
    • is there any evidence that the innovative design features have increased the end user’s satisfaction with the development? 
    • what are the long-term prospects of the project?
    • has the project acted as a catalyst for further economic activity in the area?
    • how well has the project been received amongst users and the local community?
    • has the innovation and design made a significant contribution to the character and appearance of the surrounding area?
    Birmingham Conservatoire, west mindlands, RICS Awards, 050218, mb
    West Midlands 2018 Project of the Year: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, Birmingham

  • This award honours an outstanding commercial property development whether retail, office, leisure, industrial or mixed use. We are looking for evidence of a commercially successful project, and by this we are looking to address the questions below.

    The judges will consider:

    • how successful has this project been in development terms?
    • are the properties fully occupied, let and/or sold at appropriate market rents/values? 
    • how well does the project meet occupier needs? 
    • is there evidence of satisfied end users? 
    • does the project show value for money? 
    • has the project successfully integrated into the surrounding area? 
    • has it acted as a catalyst for further economic activity in the area? 
    • has innovative design been used to enhance the success of the development? 
    • have sustainable development principles been utilised within the project and what benefits have they brought to the project?

  • This award honours an outstanding residential development of either a single building or overall project, either new build or conversion. We are looking for evidence of a successful project, and by this we are looking to address the following questions.

    The judges will consider: 

    • how successful has this project been in development terms? 
    • are the properties sold and/or occupied at appropriate market rents? 
    • how has the development successfully integrated into the surrounding area and community? 
    • has the project acted as a catalyst for further economic activity in the area? 
    • is there evidence of satisfied end users to verify the success of the project? 
    • has innovative design been used to enhance the success of the development? 
    • have sustainable development principles been utilised within the project, what benefits have they brought to the project?
    East-of-England-North-West-Cambridge-Development-2
    East of England 2018 Project of the Year: North West Cambridge Development, Cambridge

  • This award will recognise outstanding achievement in a single project, or programme of infrastructure works. For the purpose of this award, Infrastructure means any project, or programme, that delivers essential facilities in connection with transport systems, (road, rail, docks and airports), emergency services, healthcare (hospitals and medical facilities), supply projects for power generation, water or sewage treatment, sea defences and information technology networks.

    The judges will consider:

    • the background/ history – why the need for this project? 
    • what made the original concept fit for purpose? 
    • did the project provide value for money?
    • how did it perform against prediction?
    • has the overall design met its performance criteria?
    • what was the effect of the project/programme of works on the community and society in general?
    • how was collaborative working demonstrated during the project?
    • has innovation been used in design, construction or procurement?
    • how have value engineering, value management and risk management been used?
    Mersey Gateway Bridge, RICS Awards
    North West 2018 Project of the Year: Mersey Gateway Project, Widnes

  • This award honours projects that make an outstanding contribution to tourism and leisure facilities in the region or their locality. We are looking for evidence that a project has had a demonstrable impact and by this we are looking to address the questions below.

    The judges will consider:

    • how successful has the project been in achieving its objectives?
    • is there evidence of satisfied end users?
    • how well has the project integrated into its surroundings?
    • how has the project been received by the local community?
    • how does the project compliment other facilities in the area?
    • has it acted as a catalyst for further tourism and leisure or economic activity in the area?
    • has innovative design been used to enhance the success of the project?
    • have sustainable development principles been utilised within the project, what benefits have they brought to the project?
    Aerospace Bristol, RICS Awards, South West, 140518, mb
    South West 2018 Project of the Year, Aerospace Bristol, Bristol

How to enter

Submit your entry online

  1. Read the category criteria and guidelines carefully to make sure you enter your project in the most appropriate category and that you are clear on what the judges will be requiring for this category. 
  2. Entries must comply with the terms and conditions and be submitted on our online entry system at rics.awardsplatform.com 
  3. Your entry must include payment at time of entry. A fee is payable for each project entered up to a maximum of three categories per project (see cost of entry and terms and conditions).

Cost of entry

Early bird entry:

For entries received by 5pm on 30 November 2018.

£85 + VAT = £102 (per project and up to three category entries).

Standard entry fee:

Entries received after 5pm on 30 November 2018 and up to midnight on Friday 25 January 2019.

£125 + VAT = £150 (per project and up to three category entries).

Inclusive design

Judging takes into account how inclusive design principles have been incorporated into the project. Inclusive design aims to remove barriers which create undue effort, separation or special treatment and enables everyone to participate equally in mainstream activities independently with choice and dignity (Development Control Advice Note 11 – Access for People with Disabilities: Planning Guidelines).

Inclusive design is welcoming and flexible, accommodating all people regardless of their age, gender, mobility, ethnicity or individual circumstances.

Any project that fails to provide proper facilities for disabled people will be noted in the judging process.

Entry checklist

  • A clear, concise supporting statement of no more than 1,000 words. The supporting statement should answer the points set out in the judging criteria and explain why this project deserves to win: including any details of costs, capital, revenue, maintenance, methods of funding and grants received (this information will remain confidential).
  • An 80-word summary of the project – this summary will be used in promotional material if your entry is shortlisted.
  • A list of parties (to include Surveyor/Architect/client/developer or contractor) involved in the project. Please list full company name, company details, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and websites – together with any social media contacts (twitter addresses, hashtags, etc). All sections must be completed and entries without full contact details for all parties involved may be excluded from the judging process.
  • Five clearly marked marketing images (please use a “PR” prefix to the file name) These five images must be landscape and in JPEG format and at least 300dpi. NOTE: JPEGs should be saved and sent at maximum file setting and not reduced for transferring/sending
  • Upload PDF files for maps, site plans and floor plans where relevant. Maximum file size is 5MB per piece. A maximum of three pieces can be uploaded with your entry.
  • Any additional materials will not be accepted or considered by the judges.
  • Submissions must relate to activities or initiatives conducted in the 3 years prior to the closing date.

Terms and Conditions

  • Judges will exclude any submissions that are not completed in full.
  • Submissions must be in English and must relate to activities or initiative conducted in the three years prior to the closing date.
  • Companies may enter multiple projects but each project can only be entered into a maximum of three categories per project. Any projects entered in more than three categories will not be shortlisted.
  • All entries can only be made using the official online submission forms at rics.awardsplatform.com
  • The closing date for entries is 25 January 2019 however RICS reserves the right to extend the deadline.
  • All entries must be within the UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
  • The judges’ decision is final, and awards will be made at their discretion.
  • Additional commendations may be made and not all the awards will be given if criteria has not been met.
    • Judges reserve the right to move a project into another category if they feel it would better fit the criteria.
    • We regret that feedback cannot be provided on individual entries.
  • RICS reserves the right to use photographs and content of entries for PR and publicity purpose. By entering your images and information as part of your submission for the RICS Awards you agree to grant RICS or any third-party we deem suitable worldwide, non-exclusive, unlimited right to use, publish and print in any media. If consent is not given for the use of photos for PR and publicity, then opt out must be confirmed with awards@rics.org to prevent their use.
  • Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and procedures along with the terms and conditions and to have agreed to be bound by them when entering this competition.
  • When making an online entry you will be asked to confirm that you DO or DO NOT agree to be contacted by RICS with details of the RICS Awards.
  • It is the responsibility of the entrant to establish that there are no restrictions or reasons the project cannot be entered and that all interested parties have been contacted and are aware of the entry.
  • To help us manage and maintain the reputation of the RICS Awards you must inform us about any negative media stories relating to the entry that have occurred during the 24 months preceding the awards ceremony. Negative publicity does not necessarily mean that your entry will be disallowed; however, if it is not disclosed your entry may be disqualified.
  • Entrants warrant RICS that it has the full and exclusive right to present their credentials (e.g. “Surveyor”) as such. RICS accepts these credentials in good faith and cannot verify that they are correct. Accordingly, any dispute regarding entrants’ credentials must be dealt with between the parties concerned and not with RICS.