Wales’ most impressive new building projects have been revealed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
The winning projects, which include a primary school and commercial property, were judged across four categories: community benefit, commercial development, public sector and refurbishment/revitalisation.
The RICS awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure, and recognise outstanding achievement, teamwork and companies.
The Welsh winners have now been shortlisted for the RICS' UK awards that will held in October.
Geraint Evans, chartered surveyor and chair of the judging panel, said: “These winning projects are a true testament to the hard work of property professionals in Wales. The pandemic has led to the industry facing much uncertainty and challenging conditions but we were delighted, and very proud, to see such innovative building projects appearing across our cities and towns.”
He added: “The teams behind them have worked tirelessly and with incredible vision to create projects which provide tremendous benefit across a diverse range of areas. Through collaborating with other professionals, local surveyors have shown that they have the talent to deliver exemplary and, in many cases, world-class built projects.”
The Welsh award winners are:
Commercial Development: Goodsheds, Barry
Goodsheds is the UK’s first new sustainable urban high street located in the centre of Barry. Split into three locations each with its own style and offering (The Shipyard, The Sidings and The Tracks), the building offers a mix of independent food and drink, boutique retail outlets and office space.
The judges said Penarth developer Loft Co led the way in transforming historically significant sites and buildings, exemplified in The Goodsheds.
They said: “The submission presents a thoughtful, sensitive and sustainable approach towards the regeneration of an industrial heritage location within Barry Town Docs.”
Community Benefit: STEAM Academy, Pencoed
A project delivered for Bridgend College at the further education campus in Pencoed, STEAM Academy was completed to a high-standard in design and finish and came in below budget.
The awards said end user feedback had been extremely positive and the new environment transformed the teaching and learning experience of the college’s staff and students.
The success of the project was down to good communication and collaboration between client, design and contracting teams despite the difficult circumstances to construct the building created by the pandemic.
The judges said: “The Academy brings economic and cultural growth to the Bridgend County Borough area. This facility will help to transform the lives of not just those based there but the wider community.”
Public Sector Project: Llancarfan Primary School, Rhoose
Llancarfan Primary is the first school in Wales designed to be net zero carbon for operational energy when in use.
It received the public sector project award for its positive impact on the Welsh built environment, meeting the needs of modern day life without compromising future generations.
Judges praised the school as a “pioneering project” which “not only educates the next generation but inspires pupils to understand and protect biodiversity”.
Refurbishment/Revitalisation Project: Maelfa Regeneration, Cardiff
British architectural firm, Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed by Cardiff Community Housing Association to develop proposals to transform the rundown site of the former Maelfa Shopping Centre.
The aim of the multi-million pound project was to transform the poor shopping area into a new vibrant place for the community in Llanedeyrn village, east of Cardiff.
This included redeveloping the old 1970s shopping centre and refurbishing the outside of Maelfa House, a council-owned high-rise residential development.
The development was phased to ensure viability and minimise disruption to the local community while giving local retailers business continuity.
The judges said extensive consultation and collaboration between multiple stakeholders was vital in delivering the successful regeneration.
They said: “The Maelfa Regeneration project is about much more than a shopping centre, it delivers much needed change to the local communities and businesses who continue to live and trade there.”
