Quintet of building projects vying for 2010 RICS awards

FIVE building projects from the West Midlands will go head-to-head with counterparts from across the UK and overseas this week at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors awards.

Four winners and one highly commended building from May’s West Midlands awards will be pitted against international projects and those from 11 other UK regions to be crowned overall champion.

The RICS International Awards Grand Final celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Prizes are split over four categories: Regeneration, Community Benefit, Conservation and Sustainability.

In addition, one building will be chosen by judges to be the overall 2010 Project of the Year. The 2010 RICS Awards take place in London on Friday and are hosted by former MP turned broadcaster Michael Portillo.

• PICTURE GALLERY: RICS Awards West Midlands winners

The five West Midlands winners, picked from 62 entrants, are detailed below:

Regeneration and overall Project of the Year
West Midlands Regional Food Academy, Harper Adams University College, Newport

It is housed in an original, 19th century former mill and farm buildings and was restored with a food processing centre, a 100-seat lecture theatre and an exhibition hall.

Community Benefit
Barford Village Shop, Warwickshire

A new shop was built as an extension to the existing village hall which acts as a permanent post office with banking facilities, internet café and outside play area.

Conservation
Malthouse at Harvington Hall, Worcestershire

Set in the grounds of the Grade I listed manor house, the Malthouse is Grade II listed and, having been an under-utilised storage building, was upgraded for use by visitors and schools as an interpretation centre.

Sustainability
Cross Street South housing development, Wolverhampton

A former car park was developed into 30 new homes for affordable rent by Bromford Group and recognised for incorporating practical options to reduce environmental impacts, enhancing standards of living and minimising construction and maintenance costs.

Sustainability – Highly Commended
Smart Timber Frame’s timber frame building system, Stoke-on-Trent

It allows the super structure of an entire house, including the first floor and roof, to be fully constructed within just six hours, saving developers significant costs.