DESIGNS FOR LIFE

33 buildings in Ulster are nominated for top awards

A SHORTLIST of Northern Ireland’s “most impactful” buildings has been published ahead of a Uk-wide awards ceremony.

A total of 33 recent construction projects have been nominated by the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors for its “prestigious” gongs. The buildings include:

■ Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Support Centre in Belfast

■ Lisburn City Centre public realm improvements including the regenerated Market Square

■ Portrush Train Station

■ Queen’s University Belfast

■ Mew island Lighthouse

■ Killeavy Castle, and

■ Coleraine Library

The 33 local construction projects will be judged and voted on by an expert panel of RICS members and other experts based on their role in “transforming communities and the everyday lives of people”. The winners will be announced at the RICS Northern Ireland ceremony on May 21.

Spokeswoman Susan Mason said: “The real estate industry plays a vital role here and our refreshed awards celebrates the positive impact our professionals can have on people’s lives and the best of what is built.

“This year’s shortlist features some of the best talent in our profession and the new Social Impact Awards recognises the significant value these projects have brought to communities around them. The judges will have their work cut out deciding on who gets the top award with so many top projects involved.

“Our shortlists showcase projects which have been turning people’s lives around, whether that’s through apprenticeships, rehabilitating ex-offenders or regenerating areas to make them more inclusive, and we hope promoting these will encourage more talent into a profession that can really make a difference.”