Unique, pioneering buildings up for Wales ‘property Oscars’
APRISON, a chapel, a school and an ice arena have all been shortlisted as Wales’ most impressive buildings.
They are on the shortlist for the prestigious 2017 RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards, Wales.
The industry accolades, dubbed the ‘Property Oscars’, have six categories as well as the overall Project of the Year.
The shortlist of 24 entries includes projects such as the new arts and innovation centre at Bangor University; The Royal Mint Visitors’ Centre in Llantrisant; the £25m Urban Village regeneration scheme in Swansea; the renovation of Pendref Chapel in Mold; Cardiff University’s Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC); and the landmark Ysgol Bae Baglan school in Port Talbot.
They compete in one or several of the six categories which are: building conservation, commercial, community benefit, design through innovation, regeneration, and tourism and leisure.
There is also a highly-esteemed Project of the Year title presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.
Last year, that honour went to Cardigan Castle, an £11m scheme to return the castle to the local community as a viable business.
Category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final in November 2017, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.
The 3,000-seat Ice Arena Wales in the Cardiff International Sports Village is going head to head for the tourism and leisure award with the Royal Mint in Llantrisant and Harlech Castle Visitor Centre.
The Harlech Castle project is also in the commercial award category after new facilities boosted visitor numbers by 39% to 109,357.
HMP Berwyn in Wrexham is competing in several categories. Built on a former factory site which had been empty for nearly 20 years, the project boosted the local economy by bringing jobs and using local goods and services.
The shortlist also includes three competitors from education; Bangor University’s new arts and innovation centre Pontio, which has a 200-seat cinema and 120-seat theatre in the centre of Bangor; Cardiff University’s Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC); and Ysgol Bae Baglan in Port Talbot, which is built to high sustainability standards.
The chairman of the RICS Awards Wales judging panel, Kevin Thomas, said: “These awards showcase the top built environment projects in Wales, along with the talent and skills of the teams behind them.
“Every year I wonder how we’re going to top last year’s shortlist, but I’m never disappointed; many of this year’s nominees are truly unique and pioneering, and have transformed local communities.
“It just goes to show, our region is home to some of the most inspiring built projects.
“The judging process will no doubt prove extremely tough, but as part of the next phase of judging, the panel and I are looking forward to finding out more about the positive impact each of these shortlisted schemes is having on their local areas.”