Local buildings on shortlist for prestigious RICS awards

Gibson House, a replacement dwelling on green belt land at Hillsborough, and the refurbished Largymore Primary School have both been shortlisted in the new Design and Innovation category. The new church buildings for Dunmurry Presbyterian Church have been shortlisted in the Community benefit category.

The new award for Design and Innovation has been introduced alongside Regeneration, Community Benefit and Building Conservation as judging chairman Alistair Dunn explains: “We have six projects shortlisted in the Design and Innovation category, which throws the spotlight on creative and imaginative building projects. It ensures that the RICS awards continue to reflect the scope and expertise of our building professionals. Sustainability remains a major focus for the awards and should be an important part of every entry. The high standard and overall number of entries is testimony to the tenacity and ingenuity of property and construction professionals in challenging economic times.”

The shortlist includes commercial schemes, residential developments, community projects and public sector buildings.

In addition to the individual category awards, an overall winner for Northern Ireland is selected. Each of the four Northern Ireland category winners goes forward to compete against UK and international projects.

Judging will take place during spring 2012 with the RICS Northern Ireland Awards ceremony taking place in May. The grand final ceremony will take place in London in October.