Rio Architects celebrates award hat-trick as RICS UK Awards shortlist announced

We’re excited to announce that two of our projects have been shortlisted for three RICS UK Awards.

This latest announcement is even more cause for celebration as we now reach a total of 6 award shortlists in 2022 following our entries into the BCO South Wales & South England Awards, Constructing Excellence in Wales and Constructing Excellence East Midlands Awards.

The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. They recognise outstanding achievement, teamwork and companies. Judges consider nominations against strict criteria, weighted based on professionalism, teamwork and collaboration, outcome and achievement, thought innovation and sustainability.

Completed in July 2021, Bridgend College’s, (STEAM) Academy has been shortlisted in both the Public Sector and Community Benefit categories. The STEAM Academy is an 8,500m² further education facility for Bridgend College at their campus in Pencoed. The building includes workshops for vehicle maintenance, welding, M&E, Pneumatics and CNC, laboratories, classrooms, staff areas, a multi-functional hall, café and break-out social learning spaces.

The design approach was driven by a desire to create a building of high architectural excellence, which is contemporary and reflects a modern high-quality teaching facility, whilst paying deference to the existing campus environment. The building has adopted a collegiate aesthetic employing warm tones and textures with crisp detailing and well-considered proportions.

The nature of the architecture is sober, robust and confident and will enhance the quality of the campus and the experience of both staff and students.

Rio’s design work has also been shortlisted for Geldards’ office relocation in the Refurbishment/Revitalisation category.

Completed in September 2020, Rio undertook extensive existing building analysis to understand the facilities and working methods of the law firm.

Successful delivery of the new, high-quality and bespoke headquarters allowed Geldards to continue providing its clients with first-class service and its staff with a comfortable working environment that promotes and improves health and wellbeing.

We look forward to the winner’s announcement in May. Congratulations to all those with shortlisted projects.