Top Honours For Bowmer & Kirkland Projects

Two of Bowmer & Kirkland's most esteemed East Midlands' projects have received national and regional recognition.

The Roundhouse campus has won one of the most prestigious national awards given to construction projects. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) Project of the Year status was awarded to the Roundhouse and the transformation of the Newton and Arkwright Buildings in Nottingham won Project of the Year at the East Midlands' Centre for the Built Environment (EMCBE) Awards.

Both projects saw Derbyshire-based Bowmer & Kirkland renovate and restore historically significant Grade II* Listed buildings and both were for clients in the education sector - The Roundhouse for Derby College and the Newton and Arkwright buildings for Nottingham Trent University.

Bowmer & Kirkland Construction Director, Paul Lomas, said: "These awards recognise the knowledge, skills and teamwork displayed by our construction teams and our supply chain.
"Both the Roundhouse and the Newton and Arkwright buildings played an important part in the history of our region and it was a great honour for us to bring them back from decay and enable them to be appreciated today and for many years to come."

The RICS Project of the Year Award was presented to the project considered to have excelled in building conservation, community benefit, regeneration and sustainability.

Chairman of the judges, Simon Pott, said: "The Roundhouse campus is an outstanding asset for the city of Derby and is having a considerable impact on students and members of the public.
"Developing a derelict building presents obvious challenges. The project not only cherishes the historical significance of the buildings, but will also help secure the city's future through the many generations who will be able to study there."

At the EMCBE awards judges commented: "The combination of two independent listed buildings, varying historic construction techniques, a complex and emerging brief, consultation with various historical societies, the construction of a completely contemporary new link building and the need to protect the quality and intent of the scheme whilst still remaining affordable to the University, make the Newton Arkwright Regeneration project stand out and worthy of recognition."

Both projects have huge historical significance, not only for the region, but the nation. The Roundhouse was built by Robert Stephenson in 1839. He and his father George were responsible for the Rocket - the world's fastest steam engine of its day and both were highly respected engineers with George Stephenson considered the ‘father of UK railways'.

The Newton and Arkwright buildings were frequented by the author D H Lawrence during his student days and it was the site where Dr Frederick Kipping invented silicone. An English chemist, his research formed the basis of the synthetic rubber and silicone based lubricant industries.

The Newton and Arkwright buildings follow the success of the Roundhouse which won the same EMCBE award last year.

For further information, please visit www.bandk.co.uk or call Sarah Millington at Bowmer & Kirkland on 01773 857514

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About Bowmer & Kirkland Group:
Founded in 1923, the privately-owned and family-run Bowmer & Kirkland Group comprises 25 companies. Although approximately 85% of its £860m annual turnover arises from the construction industry, the Group's interests span numerous industries, within both the public and private sector. Headquartered in Derbyshire, the company employs over 1,800 people and, in June 2008, was listed as 54th in The Sunday Times Deloitte Top Track 100 list of Britain's biggest private companies. The Group has won numerous awards, most recently including several projects having received awards in the Considerate Constructors Scheme and works with many household name brand customers, including Sainsbury, Tesco, Asda, JCB, Marks & Spencer's, Rolls Royce, B & Q.