The Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service and the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry are pleased to present the winners of the Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2024, announced at an awards ceremony on Monday, 4 March, hosted by the CFCI at The Auditorium (former Emmanuel United Reform Church), Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Submissions were welcomed from the whole of the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Area, including both the City and South Cambridgeshire District. The awards celebrate the best construction projects completed in Greater Cambridge, including new buildings and conservation, alterations, or extensions to existing buildings. We are pleased to celebrate and showcase the design and construction skills, craftsmanship and engineering which have continued through this period and contributed to the built environment of our region.
The judges visited shortlisted projects in early February to examine the buildings submitted in greater detail and experience the spaces first-hand and thanked all the teams who submitted entries for the 2024 awards. The judging criteria for the awards included the context and the brief for the building, the design solution adopted, the quality and difficulty of the construction and the craftsmanship displayed in the building. Accessibility and the creation of an inclusive environment are also vital considerations.
Each scheme is expected to address environmental concerns, including energy performance. In addition, where possible, the projects are expected to contribute to the natural environment both on the building and in the landscape around the building.
There are also three ‘People Award’ categories for those working in the construction industry and related professions. The people awards recognise the achievements of those who have excelled in their fields in the design and construction industry. A summary of the award winners and their respective projects:
People Awards
Apprentice of the Year
- Winner: Max Payne
Young Professional of the Year
- Winner: Freya Williams
- Commendation: Kevina Kakembo
Site Manager of the Year
- Winner: Matt Varey
- Commendation: Richard Coates
General Awards
Best New Landscape Award
Winner: Turing Locke, Hotel Eddington
- Praised for its innovative approach to integrating green spaces into a hotel complex.
Highly Commended: Cranmer Road (King’s College).
Best Conservation/Adaptation Under £2M
Winner: St Mary’s School Lab
- Applauded for successfully adapting a derelict greenhouse into a modern learning space.
Highly Commended: Bourn Windmill.
Best Conservation/Adaptation Over £2M
Winner: Clare College Old Court and River Cafe
- Acknowledged for the remarkable transformation and restoration efforts.
Highly Commended: St John’s new buttery/cafe.
Best New Building Under £2M
Winner: Bailey’s Studios, Eden Street
- Recognised for its remarkable transformation of a former workshop into living spaces.
Highly Commended: Dovehouse Court, Girton.
Best New Building Over £2M
Winner: The Technology Partnership (TTP), Melbourn
- Acknowledged for its outstanding design and contribution to Cambridge’s science and technology sector.
Highly Commended: Dovehouse Court, Girton.
Special Awards
Craftsmanship Award
Winner: Bourn Mill
- Recognised for its extraordinary complexity, originality, and resourcefulness in the restoration project.
- Client: Cambridge Past, Present & Future
- Credits to various individuals and organisations involved in the project.
Contractor Award
Winner: Barnes Construction for Clare, St John’s College, and Dove Court.
- Acknowledged for exceptional work in complex projects within Grade 1 listed environments.
Highly Commended: SDC for the TTP building.
The David Mackay Award for Engineering and Sustainability
Winner: St John’s College new Buttery
- Honoured for its innovative decarbonisation efforts and expert engineering.
Highly Commended: Stephen Taylor Court.
The judging panel was chaired by Dame Fiona Reynolds, former master of Emmanuel College Cambridge and former director-general of the National Trust. The submission process and judging process were jointly facilitated by the GCSPS and CFCI volunteer trustees.
Dame Fiona Reynolds, chair of the judging panel said: “This was a terrific year for the awards, the judges both enjoyed and were challenged by the diversity, complexity and ambition of many of the projects we saw.
Over the years we have specifically encouraged clients and contractors to pay more attention to important emerging issues, whether carbon, biodiversity, community engagement or accessibility. If there is a lesson from this year it is that the best projects take all of these issues really seriously, and the very best have learned to integrate them seamlessly, so that they no longer feel unusual. They have become embedded in the way we do things and the results of that are often spectacular.”
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, said: “In celebrating the winners of the Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2024, we honour not just the structures themselves, but the dedication, innovation, and meticulous craftsmanship that have shaped our region's built environment. From the intricate designs to the sustainable practices, each project reflects a commitment to excellence.”
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure at Cambridge City Council, said: “The awards showcase the best that Greater Cambridge has to offer, in terms of both people and buildings. Each year, we continue to see innovation and excellence. Our officers ork hard in partnership with owners, architects, and local communities to ensure good design is appropriate to its local context. These awards serve as a testament to the innovation, craftsmanship, and environmental stewardship that define our community's commitment to sustainable development and inclusive design.”
