RSPB Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire wins Best Small Commercial Project at 2019 LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Final

13.11.2019

Press Release

The project at RSPB Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire, designed by JDDK Architects and built by Robert Woodhead Ltd, was awarded the title of Best Small Commercial Project at the Grand Final of the LABC Building Excellence Awards – one of the most recognised events in the building industry’s calendar.

A panel of industry experts judged a list of the highest quality projects from around England and Wales to reward the best in technical innovation, sustainability, safety and design.

Working in partnership with the building control teams from Sunderland City Council and East Midlands Building Consultancy the designers, contractor and their client have created a stunning new visitors centre for the RSPB. The new facility is befitting of the international status of Sherwood Forest. The proposals involve new facilities for retail and catering, events and activities spaces and acts as a gateway, providing free access to the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre and National Nature Reserve.

The building design is inspired by the idea of the trees sheltering Robin Hood and is an organic form with the use of timber internally and externally. A 'fabric first' approach to the building design which maximised the performance of the components and minimised energy demands. A waste management plan included recycling the existing car park's hard core for the engineered foundation works. Improved fire protection was included and 98% of on-site waste was recycled.

RSPB Sherwood Forest LABC Building Excellence Awards

The panel of expert judges said,

"The completed building demonstrates the very best of collaborative working and considered design which took inspiration from the surrounding woodlands and countryside. Its environmental and sustainability credentials are commensurate with the activities within such a building. It will clearly enhance the visitor experience for all those who encounter it for many decades to come."

LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said,

"Our Building Excellence awards are an opportunity for the industry to celebrate good practice and they are unique because they recognise how this cooperation improves building standards and professionalism across the industry. Our winners demonstrate how positive working relationships with local council building control teams achieve high quality, sustainable buildings."

The Grand Final of the LABC Building Excellence Awards took place on Friday 8 November 2019 at the Westminster Park Plaza in London and was hosted by multi award winning comedian Milton Jones. 840 building industry professionals including contractors, architects and engineers attended the celebration to find out which projects won across the 15 hotly contested categories.

These awards showcase buildings and design teams that tussle with complex technical or construction issues and building site constraints. They highlight innovative and creative solutions and building control professionalism that leads to safe, sustainable and high quality construction projects. Sponsors of the 2019 awards included Abbey Pynford, Actis, FMB, Home and Build, Jewson, Keystone, Keylite, LABC Acoustics, LABC Warranty, Planning Portal and Polypipe Building Services.