BAM Construction scooped the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award for the Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College. The award is given for buildings and infrastructure projects of any size commissioned by or on behalf of central or local government or by a grant-aided organisation. The college is located on a prominent City centre site in Birmingham and provides academic space for 1300 students, a community sports facility, an outreach centre, performing arts and social spaces. The judges commented that the project was: ‘A great vision by the headmistress, who was involved from the start, was delivered by the design and construction team who worked seamlessly together on an outstanding project which has been hugely welcomed by the students and staff alike. The college looks good internally but its value is much more than ‘skin deep’. It is outstanding in all aspects from concept through procurement, design and construction. It is having a profound effect, not only on the students but also on the local community which has a history of inter-racial tensions.’
The Dounreay Shaft Isolation project was awarded the Civil Engineering Award for projects valued between £3 million and £50 million. The BAM Ritchies’ team constructed a high quality grout curtain around the 65m deep Dounreay Shaft, created in the 1950s as part of an offshore discharge tunnel. This innovative geotechnical project will significantly contribute to long-term environmental improvement in the region.
The judges said the project was:
‘An extraordinarily innovative and complex project delivered with extreme care, confidence and total team collaboration.
Tackled all the potential 'show stoppers' with a great deal of strength and maturity.
Pushed beyond the boundaries of what had been technically deliverable and fundamentally advanced the technique of wet grouting.
Effectively saved the client around £220million over a conventional decontamination process.’
Liverpool Canal Link, constructed by a raft of contractors including BAM Nuttall, was awarded the Regeneration Award for a project of any size which has made a significant contribution to the regeneration of an under-privileged area or the creation of new facilities or accommodation which has made exceptional use of brownfield sites. The Liverpool Canal Link has extended the Leeds Liverpool canal to the Liverpool South Docks enhancing a world heritage site. It passes through an area of derelict land and is a significant catalyst for the regeneration of the area. The judges said the project was:
‘An ambitious public realm project, introducing a new way to appreciate the city through promotion of canal usage (and cycling and walking).
Much more than a canal project, this is an ambitious public realm initiative project which connects with the buildings around it. Team collaboration was excellent, and there for all to see.
The City showed a visionary approach: they incorporated their public space improvement with the British Waterways' civils work for the canal in to one contract - with a brilliant outcome.
The delighted client has achieved a world class waterfront creating a new canal link which is already a major catalyst for regeneration.’
