Landmark Bournemouth building wins national award

Posted: 5/12/2016 at 3:03pm

A prominent apartment block at the heart of a regeneration project in Bournemouth town centre has won a coveted national award.

The £12 million Citrus Building, which features 64 new homes and a Turtle Bay restaurant, was a hit at the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Building Excellence Awards, one of the most prestigious events on the construction industry’s calendar.

The awards recognise the best in technical innovation, sustainability and design among building schemes across England and Wales.

The title of Best High Volume New Housing Development was announced at the ceremony, held at Westminster Park Plaza, London, and hosted by TV presenter Nick Knowles, best known for his work on DIY SOS.

More than 700 building industry professionals including contractors, architects and engineers attended to find out which projects won across 15 hotly contested categories.

Overlooking Horseshoe Common, the Citrus Building is so-called due to its bright orange, yellow and green exterior and distinctive curved shape.

The development and project team were led by The Bournemouth Development Company, Bournemouth Council’s regeneration partnership with Morgan Sindall Investments, aiming to deliver the Council’s long-term Town Centre Vision though revitalised infrastructure, homes, public spaces, business, leisure and retail facilities.

Councillor John Beesley, Leader of Bournemouth Council, said: “With the Citrus Building, our aim was to transform an underused car park into high-quality homes at affordable prices to attract more people to live in the Horseshoe Common area. The project has been the impetus for further investment to regenerate this part of the town centre, offering residents and visitors alike a safer and more attractive environment.”

Duncan Johnston, Bournemouth Development Company Director, said: “The Citrus Building and the overall rejuvenation of Horseshoe Common show the innovation that exists in Bournemouth. We would not have won this national award without a multi-skilled team of people working successfully in partnership to achieve a shared vision.”

As well as the Bournemouth Development Company, the Citrus Building project team included the Bournemouth planning and design practice Terence O’Rourke and consultants MLM and Hoare Lee.

Terry Williams, Director of Architecture at Terence O’Rourke, said: “There is a clear synergy between the bright, uplifting Citrus Building and the enhanced public realm at this key town centre location, which have together promoted safety and well-being.”

Building work for the project was carried out by Poole area office of Morgan Sindall Construction with trades and labour sourced from the local supply chain as far as possible.

Jon Daines, Area Director, said: “The Citrus Building is a prime example of an integrated team working all the way through a quality-driven regeneration scheme from pre-planning to post-handover.”

LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said: “The Citrus Building nomination demonstrated its positive impact on the local area. The project team should be proud of the high praise and endorsement that this development has received. Our winners demonstrate how positive working relationships with local council building control teams achieve high quality, sustainable buildings. Our awards are unique because they recognise how this cooperation improves building standards and professionalism across the industry.”

Picture caption –

Citrus Building Site Manager Paul Finch (second left) at the LABC Building Excellence Awards in London. With him are, from left: Marcus Jefford, Director of awards sponsor Jewsons; Jayne Hall, LABC President; and Nick Knowles, TV presenter and host.