TWO Northampton buildings took top honours at the recent RICS Awards 2018, East Midlands.
Delapre Abbey and One Angel Square scooped two of the seven category titles at the annual awards – held at the The Belfry in Nottingham in May.
Delapre Abbey, a once redundant Grade II listed country house scooped the Building Conservation category following the extensive conservation project to bring substantial parts of the Abbey and outbuildings back into public use.
RICS judges were impressed with the thought through and considered approach to tackling a project of this kind, making particular mentions to the team’s approach to researching the history of the building whilst rejuvenating the abbey and securing the future of Delapre Abbey.
From the old to the new, One Angel Square, took home the Commercial award. The building, which is set over five storeys, has transformed a former brownfield site. Reflecting Northampton’s local heritage One Angel Square uses bronze and coloured fins, which not only perform environmentally but reflect patterns from Northampton’s shoe industry.
Judges awarded One Angel Square the Commercial title for its approach to 21st Century office design; introducing light and inclusive collaborative work space which provides a greater sense of wellbeing for those using it, and for acting as a catalyst for future regeneration of the city.
Chair of the judging panel for the RICS Awards, East Midlands, Will Evans, FRICS, Licenced Trade Valuer at EIGroup PLC said: “It is fantastic to see professionals working in and around Northampton being praised for their efforts in transforming this area. Both of these projects demonstrate the diversity that this area of the East Midlands has to offer. From restoring some of our local heritage to building facilities for our future these two buildings are a testament to the built environment professionals behind them and are something for Northampton to celebrate.
“These winning projects are testament to the successful collaboration of the talented teams behind them. Together, their complimentary skills and exceptional vision has not only created some remarkable built schemes which the East Midlands can be immensely proud of, but they are also having a profoundly positive impact on their local communities.”
All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final on 2 November 2018 in London, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.
