Local building projects in the running for prestigious awards

Meadowvale Court in Lisburn is in the running for the top award in the Residential category while Stoneyford Integrated Constructed Wetland has been shortlisted for Infrastructure.

Developed in partnership between Triangle Housing Association and Cedar Foundation, Meadowvale Court at Hillsborough Old Road is a recently completed £1.9m scheme comprising 13 supported living apartments and a wheelchair bungalow.

The accommodation has been designed for adults with brain injuries, physical, sensory or neurological disabilities, with state-of-the-art SMART assistive technology throughout to maintain and promote independence. The new buildings were constructed on a sloping brownfield site, requiring demolition, ground remodelling, retaining structures and close liaison with neighbouring residents to minimise disruption.

Companies involved in the project included surveyors AG Crawford and Co, JNP Architects and Donaghmore Construction.

Stoneyford Integrated Constructed Wetland is a flagship project for Northern Ireland Water, providing a sustainable, environmentally-friendly replacement for the overloaded wastewater treatment works serving the village of Stoneyford.

The facility uses a natural ecosystem to break down and treat pollutants providing significant environmental and ecological benefits, low operational and maintenance requirements and costs.

Since construction, the facility has matured into a lush, biodiverse habitat now recognised as an industry leading example of how to integrate wastewater treatment into a local indigenous ecosystem.

Companies involved in the project were WYG, architects VESI Environmental and BSG Civil Engineering.

Meadowvale and Stoneyford join 30 other projects which have been shortlisted in the RICS Northern Ireland Awards 2017 in eight categories - Building Conservation sponsored by Michele Atkinson Surveying, Commercial property sponsored by Sika, Community Benefit sponsored by Kingspan, Design through Innovation sponsored by Forbo, Infrastructure, Regeneration sponsored by WYG, Residential, and Tourism & Leisure.

The annual awards have become known as the region’s property Oscars and this year schemes of all sizes and budgets from Northern Ireland are in with a chance of gaining industry recognition along with the teams behind them.

The 2017 RICS Awards, Northern Ireland will be presented at The La Mon Hotel & Spa, Belfast on 25th May.

All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final in November 2017, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.

The winners of each category will also be in with a chance of winning the top prize, the highly esteemed Project of the Year title, presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

Michael Hannaway, Chair of the RICS Awards Northern Ireland judging panel, said: “These awards showcase our region’s top built environment projects, along with the talent and skills of the teams behind them. Every year I wonder how we’re going to top last year’s shortlist, but I’m never disappointed; many of this year’s nominees are truly unique and pioneering, and have transformed local communities. It just goes to show, our region is home to some of the most inspiring built environment projects.

“The judging process will no doubt prove extremely tough, but as part of the next phase of judging, the panel and I are looking forward to finding out more about the positive impact each of these shortlisted schemes is having on their local areas.”

For further information, contact Susan Mason at RICS e: [email protected] or 028 9032 2877 or go to www.rics.org/awards