University buildings go head to head for prestigious property award

The Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) Centre which opened in January 2014, is a £27.5m development which consists of the Wellcome Wolfson Centre for Medical Research, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Exeter Clinical Research Facility, and a new Post Graduate Education Centre on the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) site in Exeter. The state of the art building has been shortlisted in the Commercial Project of the Year with a Value Over £5million category and also the Building of the Year category.

Also shortlisted in the Building of the Year category is the University of Exeter’s Sports Park. The Sports Park recently invested over £8.1million over an 18 month period to transform the facilities on offer to students, staff and the local community. This has included six outdoor tennis / netball courts being permanently covered, a new hockey pavilion and a new Multi-Use-Games area. However, the centrepiece is the Russell Seal Fitness Centre which opened its doors in September 2013. The fantastic two storey building has an airy reception, mirrored fitness studio, dedicated free weights room and large cardio training area.

Hugh McCann, Director of Estate Development Service said: “We are delighted to have three shortlisted entries in this year’s property awards. We have continued to invest in our infrastructure and have completed some fantastic projects over the past 12 months. The new facilities on offer really do enhance the learning, social and work spaces for our students and staff.”

Last year the University successfully won three out of the five commercial property categories, picking up awards for Building of the Year for the Forum, Eco Building of the Year for the Environment and Sustainability Institute on the Cornwall Campus in Penryn and Major Commercial Project of the Year for projects with a value below £3million for the Mood Disorders Centre.

This year’s winners will be announced on 8 May 2014 at an awards ceremony to be held at St Mellion International Resort in Cornwall.