Names of Wales’ eight most impressive buildings revealed
These eight buildings have been named the most impressive in Wales. The Welsh building projects are set to compete against entries from across the UK in the RICS Awards Grand Final.
On the shortlist for the prestigious awards are:
■ Yr Ysgwrn, Gwynedd (Building Conservation)
■ Zip World’s Adventure Terminal, Bethesda (Commercial)
■ Old Oak Housing Co-operative, Carmarthen (Community Benefit)
■ The Active Classroom, Swansea (Design Through Innovation)
■ RNLI Llandudno Lifeboat Station, Llandudno (Infrastructure)
■ The Jennings, Porthcawl (Regeneration)
■ Leonard Charles House, Swansea (Residential)
■ St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff (Tourism & Leisure)
The winners across the categories as well as the overall Project of the Year will be announced at a ceremony in London on November 2.
Also on the shortlist are a range of innovative schemes from across the UK, including Canterbury Cathedral Great South Window; the Mersey Gateway Project, Widnes; the International Aviation Academy, Norwich; Royal Albert Wharf, Newham; and Titanic Hotel Belfast.
The announcement of the shortlist also marks the opening of the RICS Awards 2019, and entries can now be made to the RICS Awards 2019, Wales.
RICS says its annual awards celebrate the top property projects that provide real value to the communities they serve by making them a better place to live, study, work or visit.
The eight categories include Building Conservation, Residential, Commercial property and Infrastructure, and there’s an overall esteemed ‘Project of the Year’ title, awarded to the development that demonstrates outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.
Chair of the RICS Awards, Wales judging panel, Phil Johns said: “The properties we live in, and the buildings we visit or work and study in, can have a real impact on our wellbeing and output or productivity, and that’s what stands the RICS Awards out as they celebrate the built projects – regardless of budget or actual size – that are making a real difference to people’s lives.”
He added: “Our region has some of the very best skilled property professionals, and these awards also celebrate the collaboration of such talented professionals and the teams that have delivered world-class built developments that are not only having a positive impact on their local communities, but often the wider economy by attracting visitors and investment to the region.
“We wish the eight projects on the shortlist the best of luck in representing Wales at the national Grand Final in November, and showing the other UK regions that Wales offers some of the best places to live, work and visit thanks to these exemplary projects.”
The RICS Awards 2019, Wales are now open to enter until 25 January 2018. For more information and to nominate a project visit www.rics. org/awards