2018 Project of the Year: RICS Awards, East of England

Building Conservation

Apple Tree Farmhouse, Chorleywood

This project comprised the sensitive and meticulous repair of a Grade II listed farmhouse on the edge of Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Works included careful repairs to roofs, brickwork and timber frames, and the successful use of hot-mixed lime mortar. Many medieval details were revealed during construction, such as a window with shutter grooves and diamond mullions, timber stop beads dating back to c1550, and most importantly, two painted medieval timber braces dating from c.1500 -1550.

This project was delivered by: Sawyer & Fisher Chartered Quantity Surveyors, Roger Mears Architects LLP, Ward & Co

Commercial

One Station Square, Cambridge

One Station Square provides 129,295 square foot of much-needed Grade A office space in a new city quarter of Cambridge. The building design sets a quality benchmark, raising the bar for commercial developments locally while helping invigorate a once rundown and unwelcoming area into a vibrant commercial and cultural new community. The BREAAM Excellent building has attracted world-class businesses and acted as a stimulus for further development in and around the area, further enhancing Cambridge as a thriving commercial destination.

This project was delivered by: Gardiner & Theobald, Perkins + Will, Wates Group Ltd

Community Benefit

Glenwood School, Benfleet

Built to address a chronic shortage of special educational needs school places in Essex, the £15m Glenwood SEN School provides 210 places for pupils aged three to 19-year-olds with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties. It sets the standard for community benefit as it addresses a gap in SEN school places and community facilities in the area, and has transformative potential through inclusion of a sensory room which uses technology to help children overcome fears of certain situations and environments.

The project was delivered by: Pick Everard and Morgan Sindall

Marsh Farm Regeneration, Luton – Highly Commended

Working with Luton Borough Council to regenerate Marsh Farm Estate’s central area, we developed sustainable, aesthetically pleasing homes to rejuvenate the diverse neighbourhood, overcoming negative stigmas. The up-to-date retail facilities will allow businesses to expand and grow. This wasn’t just about bricks and mortar; we’re enhancing the community, including a social value programme, benefitting residents of Marsh Farm and beyond. We have received excellent feedback from residents, truly enhancing the community spirit, which we’re delighted to be a part of.

The project was delivered by: Turner & Townsend, Luton Borough Council, ENGIE

Design through Innovation

Aerospace Integration Research Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire

The AIRC is a strikingly-modern interpretation of a hangar appropriate typology for the location. The public face houses a glazed triple-height ideas space with a suspended meeting pod; providing a showcase for the university and partners, Rolls-Royce and Airbus, accommodating exhibitions, conferencing and informal meeting areas. Adjacent areas introduce space for manufacturers to conduct private research, alongside office, and meeting rooms for university research teams and partners. A bay area contains specialist avionics, thermals, mechanical, electrical and structural laboratories.

The project was delivered by: Currie & Brown, Gardiner & Theobald, CPMG Architects, RG Carter

Regeneration

International Aviation Academy - Norwich

RG Carter transformed a Second World War Type C hangar into a new state-of-the-art International Aviation Academy, featuring an emulation zone housing a Boeing 737. 500 students from across the UK will take their first steps into the aeronautical world, courtesy of this outstanding facility; which is the first of its kind in the UK. This outstanding project has placed Norwich at the forefront of the UK's aviation industry and given the city a place on the world stage.

The project was delivered by: WT Partnership, Hamson Barron Smith, R G Carter

Residential

North West Cambridge Development, Cambridge

Named the East of England’s Project of the Year for 2018 – judges praised North West Cambridge Development, delivered by Gardiner & Theobald, AECOM and the University of Cambridge for being more than just a housing development. The first phase is delivering a new place complete with a landmark community building, primary school, supermarket, parklands and sports pitches which are open to the wider community to enjoy, for years to come.

Monkey Lodge, Ipswich – Highly Commended

Monkey Lodge was conceived to transform a dilapidated Grade II listed lodge and gateway into an accessible family home through internal modifications and a contemporary glass extension. A modern extension and sympathetic restoration sought to preserve the integrity of the lodge and to provide it with a new lease of life. The mobility of the clients was key to achieving a family home which met their needs whilst maximising their use of the space and views across the river landscape.

The project was delivered by: Rose Builders, Wincer Kievenaar Architects

Tourism & Leisure

Naze Education and Visitor Centre, Walton on the Naze

The Naze Education and Visitor Centre is a focal point for the Naze Nature Park. The £900,000 project was substantially funded by the Lottery 'Coastal Community Fund' in recognition of its importance to tourism and local economy. The centre is run by Essex Wildlife Trust and is a focus for local people, visitors and groups to learn about and experience the geology and wildlife of this spectacular cliff-top site. It has been designed to complement the Grade II*-listed Naze Tower.

The project was delivered by: Trogal Griffin Associates, Laurie Wood Associates, Cadman Construction