London,
15
October
2015
|
11:20
Europe/London

Camden Council building wins Prime Minister’s building award

Last night (14 October) Camden Council’s Five Pancras Square building in Kings Cross won the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award 2015 at the British Construction Industry Awards, which took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

The Council offices and community building, which was built at no cost to the taxpayer, has been recognised as an exceptional project which has brought ‘real change to the community’. This award follows the building’s recent recognition as one of the most energy efficient and sustainable public buildings in the United Kingdom with five accolades now to its name.

The community building makes innovative use of space, housing a state of the art leisure centre including two swimming pools, library and Camden Council offices. It will help the council make savings of around £500,000 per year in running costs.

It is also one of the first inner-city buildings in the UK to achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ sustainability rating. 90% of all building materials were responsibly sourced, while an energy efficient ventilation system and solar panels ensure low carbon emissions and reduced running costs.

The offices were fully paid for by relocating the council’s workforce selling old and inefficient buildings across the borough.

“
“This is fantastic recognition that 5 Pancras Square is one of the best public buildings in the UK. It is not just a great public services hub for Camden residents it is a real example of how despite government funding cuts we have innovated and revolutionised the way we work to save money and provide better services.  One of the many benefits to the taxpayer will be to reduce the Council's energy bills by £500,000 a year because we invested in energy efficiency right from the start.” 
Cllr Theo Blackwell, Cabinet Member for Finance and Technology Policy
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Designed by architects Bennetts Associates and developed by King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership, built by Keir Construction, following a brief laid down by the council, the building uses sustainable technology to help the Council drastically reduce its carbon footprint and make annual savings on energy costs.

At the British Construction Industry Awards, Camden’s 5PS building won:

  • the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award;
  • the British Construction Industry Association Best Practice Award;
  • the BCIA Health and Safety Award;
  • and was also highly commended for the Major Building Project of the Year Award for the Five Pancras Square.

The Building has previously won:

  • Building Magazine – Sustainability Project of the Year
  • Guardian Sustainability in Business Awards 2015 – Impact on built environment
  • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) 2015 Awards - Best Commercial Office –London & South East –Winner and through to national UK awards in October 2015
  • RIBA London award, to go along with the Sustainability Award by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA),
  • Best Inclusive Building at the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Building Excellence Awards ceremony.