The major campus transformation of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has been shortlisted an amazing six times in the regional heats of prestigious industry-standard awards.
Three university building projects have notched up the six nominations in the East Midlands regional awards organised by leading professional body, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Vijay Patel Building
The RICS Awards are regarded as the premier construction awards in the country as they showcase the most inspirational and innovative developments and celebrate their impact on local communities.
The Vijay Patel Building has been shortlisted in the Regeneration, Infrastructure, and Design Through Innovation categories. The transformation of Mill Lane has made it through to the Regeneration and Infrastructure categories. Meanwhile, Castle Hall at the Leicester Castle Business School has been shortlisted for the Building Conservation category.
The regional nominations mean DMU is in with a chance of getting through to the RICS Awards 2018 Grand Final in London in October this year. Category winners will have the chance to compete for the ultimate accolade – Project of the Year.
Vijay Patel Building and Mill Lane transformation
Umesh Desai, Director of Estates & Commercial Services at DMU, said he was keeping his fingers crossed for another success following a long list of awards and accolades for DMU buildings.
He said: “We’re ecstatic with the news. I am absolutely thrilled that DMU has been recognised once again for its outstanding transformation.
“It’s all the more pleasing to know these are such prestigious national awards and we’ve got the most nominations in the East Midlands.
“These awards look at the best construction developments up and down the country and each of our three projects have their own unique characteristics and benefits.”
Leicester Castle Business School
The landmark £43 million Vijay Patel Building, which is home to the university’s Art and Design courses, is the striking centrepiece to the university’s campus. The six-storey building which links with a redeveloped 11-storey tower was designed by CPMG Architects and is best known for its bespoke ‘floating’ staircase.
Leicester Castle Business School sensitively transformed the historic Great Hall of Leicester Castle, known as one of the city’s finest hidden gems, after it had been empty for 25 years. The Grade I listed building was restored to its former glory at a cost of £4.2 million.
The £2 million newly landscaped Mill Lane area transformed a traffic-choked street into a stunning public space. It is now a public right of way, complete with gardens and seating areas, in the heart of the campus, which connects the city centre to the River Soar. DMU worked with Leicester City Council to pedestrianise the area featuring the same stone used to give Cathedral Square its own makeover – helping give Leicester a unifying design.
DMU, as well as the architects, contractors and Leicester City Council, worked on the RICS award submissions, which included project details, background information and photos.
Vijay Patel Building
Judges for each category will visit DMU over the next couple of weeks to see the buildings and judge them on set criteria.
The East Midlands awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, May 3 at Nottingham Belfry.
Umesh, who oversees all building projects on behalf of the university, said: “These nominations are testament to the positive impact these projects have on the university and the city as a whole.
“We have one of the best campuses in the UK which helps create a first-class environment that offers the highest quality learning and teaching environment.
“This is great national recognition for us all.”
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These nominations come just a few months after DMU was honoured at the 15th Annual ProCon Awards for Leicestershire. The Vijay Patel Building won the Large Non-Residential Scheme of the Year category while the transformation of Mill Lane scooped the Small Non-Residential Scheme of the Year.
The Vijay Patel Building has also been named as the best educational building in the East Midlands at the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) awards. While, Leicester Civic Society named it the best new building in Leicester.
Posted on Friday 23 February 2018