South: RICS Awards search for most inspirational built-project of 2017

A four-month search to find the South East’s most inspirational built-projects is now on, following the opening of entries for the 2017 RICS Awards. At the same time the 2016 winners from all the regions in the country are being judged pending the 2016 National Awards later this month.

Affectionately known as the region’s property Oscars, the annual awards celebrate the region’s top initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment, which provide significant value to the communities they serve. Every year the awards attract hundreds of entries from all over the South East, including small-scale pioneering schemes, and large multi-million-pound developments.

Terry Adsett FRICS, building surveyor at Savills and chair of the RICS Awards South East judging panel, said: “Each year, we recognise exceptional projects across the region celebrating professional standards. This year’s awards were one of our best in terms of the volume of entries, demonstrating the fantastic results being delivered to employers and clients.”

There are eight categories in which local property professionals must demonstrate how they have used their skills to develop, regenerate and conserve the environment in which we live and work. These are: Building Conservation, Commercial Property, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation, Infrastructure, Regeneration, Residential, and Tourism & Leisure. There is also an overall “Project of the Year title” which is awarded to the entry that demonstrates the best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

This year, the title went to the Land Rover BAR America’s Cup HQ in Portsmouth. This project was also the winner in the Commercial category and highly commended in the Design through Innovation category.  The winning team described the development as: “One building to showcase sport, innovation, technology and sustainability in the heart of Portsmouth for one team with one vision – to bring home the America’s Cup to Britain.”

All the South-East category winners go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.

The following winners from the 2016 RICS Awards, South East, will compete in this year’s RICS Awards 2016 Grand Final on October 14 at The London Hilton:  Lincoln College, Oxford University (Building Conservation), Land Rover BAR America’s Cup HQ and Facilities Building in Portsmouth (Commercial Property), Park Community School in Portsmouth (Community Benefit), Radley College Rowing Centre near Abingdon (Design through Innovation), Sandwich Town Tidal Defences (Infrastructure), Northbrook College in Worthing (Regeneration), Rushmore Farm at Andover (Residential), and The Wing Battle of Britain Memorial at Folkestone (Tourism & Leisure).

Entry forms are now available for the 2017 RICS Awards, South East at www.rics.org/awards

The 2017 RICS Awards, South East, will be presented on May 4 at the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton.