Hub up for design award

Brownlow Community Hub, which provides a vibrant and modern meeting place for many local groups across the wider Craigavon area, has been shortlisted in the Community Benefit category.

These are the most prestigious awards for excellence in the built environment.

A new award for Design and Innovation has been introduced alongside Regeneration, Community Benefit and Building Conservation as judging chairman Alistair Dunn explained:

“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 chairman went on to say, “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.

Entries for the Design and Innovation Award include Hamilton House, the Georgian inspired energy efficient office space in Joy Street Belfast and Gibson House Hillsborough, a replacement dwelling on green belt land.

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.