RICS Awards attracts record number of entries

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says it property awards competition has attracted a record number of projects despite the market downturn.

The 363 entrants for the RICS Awards 2009 range from small schemes built by the vision and persistence of one person, to multi-million budget, globally recognised developments, RICS says.

Entries have been submitted from universities, local and national governments, private sector developers and national bodies. In addition to the high volume of UK entries, projects from Australia, Spain, Belgium, France and Hungary have also been submitted, according to RICS.

RICS Awards 2009 consists of four categories: building conservation; regeneration; sustainability and community benefit. Community benefit has proved to be the most popular category this year, attracting 28% of entries, closely followed by regeneration 26.68%, building conservation 27% and sustainability with 18.32% of total entries.

The awards celebrate the best new projects in the built environment and the 2009 winners will join a long line of inspirational building projects. Past winners include prestigious projects such as Kings Cross St Pancras, Oxford Castle Heritage Project, Kew Palace and Arsenal’s Emirates stadium.

Projects will compete in UK regional heats and an international heat, with the best entrants in each region forming the shortlist for the grand final awards. Judging will take place during spring 2009 and will be followed by a series of regional ceremonies culminating in the final ceremony in London on Friday 16 October 2009 at the Honourable Artillery Company.

Louis Armstrong, CEO comments: 'With a record number of entries this year the competition is even stronger. The 2008 awards raised the benchmark in all categories and this year’s successful entrants will need to prove that their schemes demonstrate excellence within their specific category.'