RICS Regional Awards Shortlist 2024
We’re delighted to see a number of projects we have designed the mechanical and electrical services for shortlisted for this year’s RICS Regional Awards.
North Shields Transport Hub, Viking Energy Network in Jarrow, Morpeth Leisure Centre, The Halls, Wolverhampton and Nottingham Central Library, have all been nominated for awards in the upcoming RICS Regional Awards.
The projects are up for the following awards:
Community Benefit:
- The Halls, Wolverhampton – West Midlands
- North Shields Transport Hub – North East
- Morpeth Leisure Centre – North East
- Nottingham City Library – East Midlands
Public Sector:
- The Halls, Wolverhampton – West Midlands
- Nottingham Central Library – East Midlands
- North Shields Transport Hub – North East
- Morpeth Leisure Centre – North East
- Viking Energy Network Jarrow (VENJ) – North East
Refurbishment Revitalisation:
- The Halls, Wolverhampton – West Midlands
The awards are seen as a hallmark of excellence and recognise industry leading achievements and demonstrate the upholding of the highest standards of professionalism and ethics by individuals and teams across the built and natural environments.
Winners of the regional awards will compete in the national awards, giving local projects national recognition.
Viking Energy Network Jarrow
The Viking Energy Network Jarrow, which is up for Public Sector, provides low-cost, low-carbon energy to 14 buildings across Jarrow via a dedicated network of pipelines and power cables, which can be extended for future expansion. Water is extracted from the River Tyne and using Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) technology, energy is fed to the district energy network. A gas-fired combined heat & power (CHP) supplements the WSHP. A locally installed PV farm on the energy centre site also contributes to the electricity supply. Surplus electricity generated by the CHP and the PV is held in a storage battery for later release to the private network. The network will cut annual carbon emissions by 1,035 tonnes.
The project team included Thornton-Firkin, Architectural Base Consultancy Ltd, South Tyneside Council and Border Design Consultants.
Read the full case study here.
North Shields Transport Hub
The North Shields Transport Hub, which is up for the Public Sector and the Community Benefit categories, is North Tyneside Council’s first net zero carbon building and one of the first of its kind in the UK. It brings bus services together in the town and takes passengers closer to the Metro, taxis and cycling infrastructure in the town, as well as improving links between the town centre and the Fish Quay. Sustainable features include an enhanced building envelope to maximise airtightness and an array of PV solar panels. The use of natural daylight has been maximised using glazing, translucent polycarbonate and ETFE roof.
The project team included Napper Architects, Fairhurst and Willmott Dixon Construction.
Read the full case study here.
Morpeth Leisure Centre
Morpeth Leisure Centre which is up for the Public Sector and the Community Benefit categories was a new development on a new site in the town centre which included a new leisure centre and a community services hub. It brought sports, leisure, library, customer services and adult learning facilities under one roof for the community.
The leisure centre facilities include a six-lane swimming pool with an associated viewing gallery, a teaching swimming pool, a sports hall including four badminton courts, sprung flooring, and associated viewing, a gym accommodating a minimum of 100 stations, two fitness studios, a spinning studio, assessment/consultation room, changing areas and a spa.
As well as the library, customer services and adult learning facilities, the centre also includes a reception area, café/refreshment area, soft play, management facilities and changing places.
The project team included GT3 Architects, Advance Northumberland, Fairhurst Willmott Dixon and DPP.
Read the full case study here.
Nottingham Central Library
Nottingham Central Library which is up for the Community Benefit and Public Sector categories aimed to become the best children’s library in the country, creating an inspiring environment for all ages. The three-floor library features a large children’s area with ‘sensory play caves’ and an immersive storytelling room.
Upstairs features a quieter adult section which includes a local history section, study areas, a café and a network of public computers. There is also space for pop-up exhibitions.
The project team included Faulkner Browns, Overbury and Pick Everard.
The Halls, Wolverhampton
The Halls in Wolverhampton, which is up for the Community Benefit, Public Sector and Refurbishment Revitalisation categories, is a Grade II listed building, known as Wolves Civic, which was refurbished to become a world class venue. Work included a new back of house area, concert venue, offices, bars and new tiered seating area and included original features to be retained and restored to their 1930’s condition.
The height above the stage at the rear of the hall was increased to attract bigger shows to the city and new facilities including wider and more comfortable seats, revamped toilet facilities, lift access and bigger and better bars were fitted to give visitors an improved experience. New air conditioning systems were also fitted to improve room temperatures.
The combined capacity for both venues totals at more than 4,500 people when set up for standing and around 3,000 people when set up for seating.
The project team included Willmott Dixon, Space and Place, AtkinsRéalis, Furness and Faithful+Gould.
The regional ceremonies will be held between May and July 2024, with the grand final ceremony taking place in October 2024.