A total of 11 awards were given that celebrated the excellence of building quality in a variety of projects from large commercial developments, education and housing projects to domestic refurbishment, along with awards for technical innovation, best partnership and sustainability. There was also a 12th supreme award for the overall winner.
Unlike other industry awards, the LABC Awards recognise the importance of building control in creating a high quality, sustainable built environment in England and Wales. Local authority building control helps to ensure better design and builds by cooperative working between local councils, developers, designers and builders to avoid costly corrections during construction and to make sure projects comply with the highest standards of safety, sustainability and accessibility.
This year’s finalists showcased how local authority building control is at the forefront of facilitating high environmental standards in difficult economic circumstances and proving how innovative and sustainable development can also be very cost effective.
The 2010 award winners were:
Best Domestic Conversion:Valley House, Shipbourne, Kent. Architect: Derek Hudson Partnership. Contractor: Benning Brothers. Local Authority: Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. Region: South East.
Best Small Housing:The Old Dairy, Castle Combe, Wiltshire. Architect: Milton Architects. Contractor: Hills Property. Local Authority: Wiltshire Council. Region: West of England. Highly Commended: Upper Dean Farm, Buckinghamshire. Architect: David Coles Architects Ltd. Contractor: Mr C Scharff. Local Authority: Aylesbury Vale District Council. Region: Central.
Best Large Housing:Phases 4a and 5 Pentre Nicklaus Village, Machynys. Architect: Powell Dobson Architects. Contractor: Machynys Homes Construction. Local Authority: Carmarthenshire County Council. Region: Wales
Best Social/Affordable Housing: Ker Street, Phase 1 Development, Devonport. Architect: LHC Architects. Contractor: Midas Homes. Local Authority: Plymouth City Council. Region: South West
Best Community Building:The Neville Childhood Epilepsy Centre, Surrey. Architect: Lee Evans Partnership. Contractor: Buxton Building Contractors. Local Authority Tandridge District Council. Region: South East
Best Education Building:Roundhouse, Derby. Architect: Maber Architects. Contractor: B and K Construction. Local Authority: Derby City Council. Region: East Midlands
Best Small Commercial Building:Willowbrook Hospice, Chester. Architect: KKE Architects. Contractor: Winstanley Construction. Local Authority: St Helens Council. Region: North West. Highly Commended: Beverley Corn Exchange. Architect: Ingleby & Hobson. Contractor: John Thompson Developments. Local Authority: East Riding of Yorkshire. Region: Yorkshire
Best Large Commercial Building:CitySpace, Sunderland. Architect: FaulknerBrowns Architects. Contractor: Morgan Ashurst. Local Authority: Sunderland City Council. Region: Northern
Best Sustainable Project:Watermark Place, 1 Angel Lane, London. Architect: Fletcher Priest Architects. Contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine. Local Authority: City of London. Region: London
Best Technical Innovation:Dandridge’s Mill. Architect: LAPD Architects. Contractor: R2 Building Services. Local Authority: Vale of White Horse District Council. Region: Central
Best Partnership with a Local Authority:David Brain Partnership and Bath and North East Somerset Council. Region: West of England
Supreme Award:Phases 4a and 5 Pentre Nicklaus Village
LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said, “Once again it was a tough assignment for the judges to pick winners from a very high standard field. All the finalists deserve recognition for their great work in helping to improve building standards, boost sustainability and efficiency and show that despite a difficult economic backdrop, standards do not have to slip. These awards show good building control can save both time and money. Our congratulations go to the finalists – and especially the winners – all of whom have helped to show the importance of local authority building control.”
Nearly 600 guests were entertained by author, broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth. Money was also raised for LABC President Mick Henman’s charity– the British Heart Foundation. The event was sponsored by Elmhurst Energy, Kingspan Insulation, LABC New Home Warranty and noise.co.uk.
Image: Chris Morgan collecting the Supreme Award trophy. Pictured from left to right: Mick Henman, LABC President; Chris Morgan, Managing Director of Machynys Homes Construction; event host Gyles Brandreth; and David Collier, National House Building Manager at Kingspan Insulation.
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