Nominations sought for best new building

The search has begun for the Greater Manchester Building of the Year 2013.

The award is provided annually by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce to a new building in the region demonstrating “high standards in design and innovation, construction techniques and sustainability credentials, economic and community benefits and value for money”.

Last year’s winner was The Space Youth Intervention Centre for 42nd Street in Manchester in recognition of “resourceful use of budget and innovative design, which was imaginatively delivered and serving an often neglected part of our community”.

Businesses across Greater Manchester can nominate buildings, with the chamber’s property and construction committee drawing up a shortlist and choosing a winner.

Manchester City Council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein will reveal the winning building at the property and construction sector’s annual dinner at The Midland Hotel, Manchester, in October.

Mike Gibson, chair of the chamber’s property and construction committee, said: “The overarching objective of this annual award is to recognise a building’s contribution to Greater Manchester in terms of construction and development.

“This could be the building’s significance to the city region, its impact on the local economy, its effect on the local community, its importance in terms of urban regeneration and environmental enhancement, its design excellence, or its contribution to urban design and townscape.

“Over recent years we’ve seen some superb examples of buildings epitomising the very best examples of construction and design in our region, and we hope to see many more in this year’s competition.”

The award will be presented to the commissioning body, not the designers or contractors. The deadline for entries is Friday 28 June.

Entries must adhere to the following criteria: The building must be within Greater Manchester; it can be a new-build or refurbishment/conversion; the building must have reached practical completion and be in the possession of the client during 2013.

To nominate a building for the award, contact Matthew.Kershaw@gmchamber.co.uk