The Forum Southend-on-Sea
The Forum Southend-on-Sea has been shortlisted for four prestigious awards by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
The inspirational public and academic building which forms the heart of the University’s Southend Campus, is shortlisted in the Community Benefit, Infrastructure, Regeneration and Tourism and Leisure categories of the RICS East of England Awards.
The awards recognise the region’s most impressive new and regenerated building projects.
The Forum has also been shortlisted in the Buildings that Inspire category of the Guardian University Awards, and been commended in the 2015 Civic Trust Awards which recognise excellence in the built environment.
Developed as an innovative partnership between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the University and South Essex College, The Forum attracted more than one million visitors in its first year.
In a joint statement, the partners said: “This joint public and academic library and learning hub serves the whole community – residents of all ages, visitors and students. Together they are all able to gain the benefits of all the enhanced and additional facilities provided by the combined resources of the three institutions.
“It is also a focus for culture as it is home to Focal Point Gallery, and, among other activities, the Big Screen outside has shown acclaimed live broadcasts of Royal Opera Performances completely free for residents and visitors.
“In addition, since opening in September 2013, the lecture theatre within the Forum Southend-on-Sea has hosted many sell-out talks from a wide range of renowned speakers appealing to people across our community.
“We are delighted that this ground-breaking project has been shortlisted in four categories of these prestigious awards. This demonstrates that the diverse reach of the Forum Southend-on-Sea is being recognised at the highest level.”
Stephen Boniface, Chair of the judging panel, said: “The quality of all the entries this year has been outstanding, providing the judges with a wonderful selection of projects across the different categories. The RICS Awards demonstrate outstanding value whilst recognising all achievements, identifying excellence and realising the many talents of those involved in the projects.”
The RICS East Awards ceremony takes place in Bury St Edmunds, on 6 May. Eight category winners and a Project of the Year will be selected from the 48 shortlisted entries. The winners from the Building Conservation, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation and Regeneration categories will be invited to represent the East at the overall RICS Awards UK national ceremony in October.