The project for the new SKA Global Headquarters at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, designed by Hassell and built by Sir Robert McAlpine, was awarded the title of Best Large Commercial Project at the Grand Final of the LABC Building Excellence Awards – one of the most recognised events on the building industry’s calendar.

A panel of industry experts judged a list of the highest quality projects from around England and Wales to reward the best in technical innovation, sustainability, safety and design.

Working with the local authority building control team from Civicance at Cheshire East Council the designers, contractor and their client have created a stunning new global headquarters of the SKA Organisation. This is an intergovernmental organisation set up to build and operate the Square Kilometre Array, the world’s largest radio telescope. The Jodrell Bank scheme had UK Government backing through the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the University of Manchester and Cheshire East Council.

The panel of expert judges said:

“The building is a superb example of high-quality commercial design resulting in extremely good performance characteristics exceeding building regulations with a detail quality matching any in the commercial sector. While its primary function is highly technical the building manages to provide an attractive and human working environment.”

The Grand Final of the LABC Building Excellence Awards took place on Friday 8th November 2019 at the Westminster Park Plaza in London and was hosted by multi award winning comedian Milton Jones. Over 800 building industry professionals including contractors, architects and engineers attended the celebration to find out which projects won across the 15 hotly contested categories.

These awards showcase buildings and design teams that tussle with complex technical or construction issues and building site constraints. They highlight innovative and creative solutions and building control professionalism that leads to safe, sustainable and high quality construction projects.

Latest awards

A19 Tees Viaduct project scoops Bridges award

31 Mar 2025

The A19 project team wins the Ethos award for excellence in wellbeing, training, and community engagement.

HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct wins design award

26 Nov 2024

Colne Valley Viaduct named winner in the 'engineering' category  of the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust’s Building Beauty Awards - 2024 

Forum wins at Education Estates Awards 2024

30 Oct 2024

University of Exeter Forum won “Building Resilience – Building that have stood the test of time” at the 2024 Education Estates Awards

Commemorating VE Day 2025

08 May 2025

We join those around the world marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which formally marked the end of the Second World War in Europe

Sector Profile SRM Special Projects

07 May 2025

Mike Coleman and our Special Projects team deliver complex conservation and new build projects in heritage buildings, balancing preservation, innovation and legacy.