Construction Awards of Excellence 2024: Construction Project of the Year

The Construction Project of the Year Award celebrates a remarkable project that exemplifies excellence in construction, innovation, and commitment to quality. This award recognises a standout project from across the UK that has demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and resourcefulness to deliver an outstanding result. The winning project will showcase best practices in safety, sustainability, and design, setting new standards for the industry.

Kindly sponsored by City & Guilds – A global skills partner. Everything City & Guilds do supports people into work, helps them develop on the job and move into the next job.

Nominees:

GF Tomlinson – Osborne Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary: A £3.5 million project was undertaken to expand and enhance the radiology department at Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Osborne Building, creating a state-of-the-art radiotherapy facility. The works, completed between summer 2022 and August 2023, included constructing a radiology bunker with a control room, an ancillary block, and connecting corridors.

The new facility now provides cutting-edge treatments, additional treatment rooms, and waiting areas. Sustainable features like 32 PV panels and air source heat pumps were installed to reduce carbon emissions. The project’s logistics were carefully managed with a dedicated traffic plan and “Just in Time” deliveries to minimise disruption in the fully operational hospital. Security measures included SR5-rated doors and high-level access control, with the treatment area designed to prevent radiation exposure. Social value initiatives involved local labour sourcing, waste management, and community engagement through work experience and apprenticeships. Additionally, the site team contributed to the hospital environment by organising litter-picking activities and recycling 94% of construction waste.

Interclass – Project Chrysalis, Harplands Hospital: Project Chrysalis at Harplands Hospital is a £15 million initiative by North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust to eliminate dormitory accommodation and enhance inpatient facilities. The first phase, the completion of Ward 3 for Adult Acute Services, was designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind, ensuring optimal environments for both patients and healthcare professionals.

The collaboration between the Trust and Interclass extended beyond construction, fostering strong relationships through events like the Trust’s REACH Awards, which Interclass sponsored. The project utilised advanced technologies, including a virtual reality walkthrough, to provide an immersive experience of the new facilities for staff, patients, and families. The project also scored highly on the Considerate Constructors Scheme, reflecting the team’s dedication to maintaining high standards. Testimonials from the Trust praised the project manager’s exceptional support during critical phases, which allowed healthcare staff to focus on patient care.

John Perkins Construction – Cossham Hospital: The £2.2 million project at Cossham Hospital, funded by NHS North Bristol Trust with a new MRI machine donated by the Bristol charity BUST, involved constructing a two-story extension to house advanced diagnostic equipment, including a Siemens MAGNETOM VIDA 3T MRI scanner.

The project aimed to improve local access to scanning services, reducing patient travel times and carbon emissions. The extension included clinical spaces, patient areas, and necessary plant rooms, and was designed to ensure patient dignity through carefully planned layouts. Despite space constraints and the need to integrate with a listed building, the team successfully delivered the facility, featuring unique architectural elements like hand-carved brickwork by artist Rod Harris. Completed in December 2023, the project is on track to achieve BREEAM Excellent certification. The extension was praised for enhancing patient care and providing a state-of-the-art facility for the local community, demonstrating strong collaboration and professionalism throughout the build.

Pearce Construction – Ilfracombe Water Sports Centre:  The Ilfracombe Water Sports Centre, located in North Devon between Larkstone and Rapparee Coves, is a state-of-the-art facility offering marine leisure and educational opportunities. Constructed by Pearce Construction, the project involved complex infrastructure works, including building a new sea wall and slipway, which were designed to minimise environmental impact.

The centre, which includes boat storage, a café with stunning harbour views, and accessible facilities, supports local water sports clubs like the Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club, Y-Sail, and Ilfracombe Canoe Club, offering them a home base. It also hosts commercial operators and the National Scouts, promoting outdoor pursuits such as paddle boarding and kayaking. Despite the challenges of the steep, coastal site, the project was delivered successfully with the use of innovative construction techniques and careful planning. Funded by contributions from the Heart of the South West LEP, the Coastal Communities Fund, and Sport England, the centre has become a vital community hub, promoting water sports and education in a beautiful, sustainable setting.

Interclass – Walsall College Construction Skills Centre: The transformation of Walsall College’s Construction Skills Centre was a groundbreaking project aimed at expanding teaching and workshop facilities to meet the growing demand for skilled construction workers. Delivered by Interclass in early 2023, the three-story extension at the Green Lane Campus includes dedicated spaces for carpentry, plumbing, and electrical training, as well as classrooms, offices, and a modern entrance. A key aspect of the project was its educational impact—construction students were deeply involved through work experience, site visits, and placements, including a former student, Jack Hems, who served as an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor. Throughout the 9-month project, over 150 students benefited from site tours and interactive talks, with some gaining long-term work placements. The project also resulted in the employment of two new apprentices and provided opportunities for future careers. Built with sustainability in mind, the centre features eco-friendly construction methods, including photovoltaic panels and locally sourced materials. The project was completed on time in November 2023 and has left a lasting impact on both current and future students.

Thomas Johnstone – Harmeny Education Trust Outdoor Learning Hub: Thomas Johnstone Ltd completed the construction of a new Learning Hub for Harmeny Education Trust in late 2023. The Trust provides therapeutic residential care for children aged 5-18 with additional support needs due to early trauma. The Learning Hub replaced an outdated, unheated building and now offers a space for outdoor, vocational, and expressive arts activities, helping young people develop social, emotional, and practical skills.

Designed by Loader Monteith and Studio SJM, the building emphasises well-being, featuring classrooms overlooking woodlands and flexible spaces that foster creativity and learning. Sustainable construction methods were used, including timber framing, ground-source heating pumps, and impact moling to protect tree roots. The Hub provides secondary-level education for young people up to age 18, creating a nurturing environment for their continued development. The building integrates into the woodland surroundings and includes spaces for mentoring and therapy. Harmeny’s Head of Education praised the positive impact the Hub has already had on students, providing them with stability, support, and an opportunity to thrive in a therapeutic learning environment.

Pearce Construction – Ilfracombe Water Sports Centre: The Ilfracombe Water Sports Centre, located in North Devon, is a state-of-the-art marine leisure hub built by Pearce Construction. Nestled between Larkstone and Rapparee Coves, the centre features spectacular views of Ilfracombe Harbour and offers a wide range of water sports opportunities.

The project involved complex construction, including a new sea wall, slipway, and challenging logistics due to the site’s steep terrain. Precast materials were used to minimise environmental impact, and rock pools were created to promote marine biodiversity. The centre now provides essential facilities for local water sports clubs, including Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club, Y-Sail, and Ilfracombe Canoe Club, with boat storage, training areas, and a slipway for easy water access. It also offers community-focused amenities like a café and commercial operators H2Outdoors and Active Escape for activities such as paddle boarding and coasteering. The project was made possible through funding from the Heart of the South West LEP, the Coastal Communities Fund, and Sport England, creating a unique, sustainable hub that has become a significant asset to the local community. The project’s eco-friendly design and inclusive approach highlight its role as an inspiring infrastructure project, fostering a love for water sports and environmental stewardship.

Crown Highways – Willenhall Greenway: The Willenhall Greenway project, delivered by Crown Highways for Tarmac under Walsall Council’s Maintenance Framework, aimed to create a shared cycle and footway linking residential areas with Willenhall Memorial Park and the town centre. Completed ahead of schedule and under budget, this £1.2M scheme involved installing kerbing, surfacing, pedestrian fencing, and other infrastructure to improve connectivity for the community.

Crown Highways proactively engaged residents, businesses, and local schools to mitigate construction impact and foster positive relationships. The project’s environmental considerations included using eco-friendly materials, addressing potential wildlife concerns, and implementing a sustainable drainage solution. Post-construction, the path has been widely praised by residents for improving accessibility and encouraging active travel, contributing to the area’s connectivity. Supported by the national levelling up fund and linked to future local travel schemes, the Greenway has become a well-used community asset, with ongoing positive feedback from all stakeholders. This project stands out for its community engagement, sustainability, and lasting impact, making it a strong contender for the Inspiring Infrastructure Award.

Walker Construction – AVA Footbridge: The AVA Footbridge and Lift System is a pioneering project that challenges outdated designs in railway infrastructure by using advanced manufacturing technologies. Developed by Walker Construction and a consortium of SMEs, the AVA footbridge modernises the approach to footbridge construction through off-site manufacturing and assembly, significantly reducing time on-site by 50%, thereby minimising disruption to passengers and the surrounding community.

This innovative bridge is built using duplex stainless steel, designed for a 120-year service life, requiring minimal maintenance compared to traditional footbridges, which need major repairs after 40-50 years. The manufacturing process maximises material use, reducing waste and carbon emissions, while bolted connections minimise welding, further reducing environmental impact.

The AVA system incorporates state-of-the-art modelling and production techniques, enabling the bridge to be constructed like a car on a production line. This repeatable process reduces costs and carbon footprint while allowing local manufacturers to produce parts, fostering community investment. Designed with whole-life principles in mind, the footbridge saves 50% in whole-life carbon emissions, making it a model for sustainable infrastructure that addresses the UK’s net-zero carbon goals. The AVA Footbridge is not just an innovative construction project but a market disruptor, setting new standards in the rail and construction industries.

Simpson (York) – Ledston Hall:

Ledston Hall, a Grade I Listed country house in a Grade II* registered park, has been restored by the Wheler Foundation after being largely vacant since the 1950s and placed on the “Heritage at Risk” register. The extensive project involved reconfiguring the hall into 10 properties and function spaces while preserving its heritage, including repairs to stonework, roofs, and historic features. Significant energy-efficiency upgrades were made, including replacing single-glazed windows with double-glazed ones and installing a Combined Heat and Power system. Specialist craftsmen used traditional techniques alongside modern technology to restore and conserve the building. Archaeological and ecological considerations were also carefully managed, including the preservation of bat colonies. The project has ensured the Hall’s long-term sustainability and removed it from the at-risk register, while training apprentices in heritage skills.

Tilbury Douglas – Scottish National Galleries: The conservation of the Scottish National Gallery, located in Edinburgh’s World Heritage site, involved significant renovations to enhance visitor experience while preserving the site’s historic value. Key improvements included the creation of a subterranean gallery and tunnel, the remodelling of Princes Street Gardens, and rebuilding facades to improve views and public spaces. The project demanded complex engineering, safety measures, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders due to the gallery’s location and cultural importance. Restorations were carried out using traditional materials, and careful attention was given to protecting both the building’s heritage and its priceless artefacts. Overall, the project successfully enhanced accessibility and functionality, aligning with the client’s vision while maintaining the site’s architectural legacy.

Szerelmey – Laudian Library, Oxford: Szerelmey, in collaboration with Beard Construction and Wright & Wright Architects, undertook extensive restoration of the Grade I listed Laudian Library in Oxford’s Canterbury Quadrangle, an iconic Baroque structure. The project involved replacing structurally failing columns in the historic colonnades, originally built from Headington stone and Bletchingdon marble, which is no longer available. After extensive material sampling and approval from authorities, Swaledale Fossil limestone was chosen for the columns and Clipsham Medwell stone for other repairs. Temporary works were designed to support the arches and frontispieces during the replacement of columns. The new columns were pre-assembled off-site and installed using bespoke lifting equipment, with careful monitoring throughout to ensure structural integrity. Additionally, internal and external areas were restored with new stone flooring and steps, preserving the historical fabric while ensuring minimal disruption.

Baxall – Tonbridge School Cawthorn Building:

Baxall Construction transformed the Grade II-listed Cawthorn Building at Tonbridge School into a staff common room, blending modernisation with the preservation of its 19th-century ecclesiastical features. The project involved careful conservation, including the restoration of Gothic-style tracery windows by heritage glass specialists and cleaning the stone façade. Complex internal works included installing new mezzanine floors, services, and preserving original flooring discovered beneath rotted floorboards. Sustainability was a key focus, with upgraded heating systems and energy-efficient solutions installed. Working within a live school environment and a conservation area, Baxall carefully managed logistics, safety, and environmental considerations. The project, completed ahead of schedule, maintained historical accuracy while passing on heritage skills to future generations.

NCS – 9-17 Collingwood Street: Northern Construction Solutions (NCS) undertook the multi-million-pound restoration of the Grade II-listed 9-17 Collingwood Street in Newcastle, blending historical preservation with modern functionality. The project transformed the neglected building, originally from 1890, into a vibrant space featuring luxury apartments and a New York-themed bar. Key restoration efforts included repairing the masonry facades, restoring ornate features like marble fireplaces and a spiral staircase, and reconditioning original timber elements and slate roof tiles. NCS worked closely with heritage experts to retain the building’s charm while meeting contemporary needs, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and sustainability throughout the renovation.

Hodgson Sayers – Crown Street Library: Hodgson Sayers Ltd undertook the restoration of Darlington’s Grade II-listed Crown Street Library, focusing on replacing the original Westmorland slate roof while preserving the building’s heritage. The project involved salvaging and reusing slate for external roof slopes and installing new slate in non-visible areas. Timber trusses required additional bespoke steel supports due to movement over time, and the project also replaced extensive roof glazing to improve energy efficiency, using modern materials to reduce heat loss. The roof’s complex design, featuring turrets, ventilation units, and chimneys, posed challenges that were met with meticulous craftsmanship, including the use of traditional techniques and modern compliance with building regulations. The project was completed with minimal environmental impact, reusing or recycling all materials, and ensuring the historic building can continue to serve its community for another century.