Pioneering autism centre named as RICS UK Project of the Year

The purpose built £18m Caudwell International Children’s Centre in the west Midlands has been named as the RICS UK Project of the Year for its transformational approach towards autism.

Earlier this year, the landmark building won the Design through Innovation category award as well as the Project of the Year, West Midlands title at its regional RICS heat, which led to the project being automatically entered into the national RICS Awards grand final.

RICS grand final judges commended the project team – Buckingham Group, C4 Projects, KGA Partnerships, Tier Consult and the CICC - for their collaborative and co-ordinated approach to deliver what they described as an inspirational building of distinction, on time and within budget, whilst exceeding UK accessibility and sustainability standards.

Over 90 of the UK's most outstanding and community beneficial property schemes went head-to-head for RICS top national accolades, with the prestigious annual contest celebrating the UK's most inspirational built projects that are having a significant positive impact on the communities they serve.

David Brooks-Wilson, chair of the national RICS judges, and chairman and CEO at Noble Wilson, said: “Good building design and innovation should be the catalyst from which other benefits follow. The CICC is clearly improving the lives of thousands of children and their families, whilst improved educational and employment prospects have helped deliver significant social and economic benefits. The project also has a growing reputation as a centre for research excellence and setting new national and international standards for inclusive design, adaptability and construction, making it a standout UK Project of the Year winner."

As well as the overall Project of the Year award, an additional eight outstanding projects took home awards in their respective categories:

• Building Conservation: Llwyn Celyn, Abergavenny (Wales)
• Commercial: The Great Barn, Skipton (Yorkshire & Humber)
• Community Benefit: Beacon of Light, Sunderland (North East)
• Design through Innovation: Caudwell International Children's Centre, Newcastle-under-Lyme (West Midlands)
• Infrastructure: Queensferry Crossing, Edinburgh (Scotland)
• Regeneration: West Dunbartonshire Council's Dumbarton Office, Dumbarton(Scotland)
• Residential: The Welsh Streets, Liverpool (North West)
• Tourism & Leisure: Spanish City, Whitley Bay (North East)

Commenting on the category winners, Brooks-Wilson said: "The judging panel and I were enormously impressed by the vision, skills and collaborative approach of the teams behind these winning projects. Their talent and united team approach has resulted in exemplary and innovative schemes that have been hugely well received by the public and really do represent the very best built projects in the UK. Each of the winning projects is having a profoundly positive impact on their local area. Therefore, the teams behind them should be incredibly proud of the part they have played in helping to improve their community and wider local economy."