Heroes of the highways honoured
08 Dec 2025Members of our M6 and A19 teams were recognised for their acts of bravery and selflessness at the recent Highways Heroes Awards
15th Nov 2019
Success at LABC Building Excellence Awards
Our project at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire was awarded the title of 'Best Large Commercial Project' at the Grand Final of the LABC Building Excellence Awards.
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.
Our building excellence awards are an opportunity for the industry to celebrate good practice. Our winners demonstrate how positive working relationships with local council building control teams achieve high quality, sustainable buildings. Our awards are unique because they recognise how this cooperation improves building standards and professionalism across the industry.
Paul Everall LABC Chief Executive
Latest awards
-
![]()
Read more about -
![]()
Read more aboutAbigail's a rising star
26 Nov 2025Our Apprentice Quantity Surveyor was among those recognised at the Considerate Constructors Scheme Gala Awards
-
![]()
Read more aboutInspirational Andy handed STEM award
24 Nov 2025Andy Walker has played a central role in delivering our A19 team's ‘Building Bridges, Constructing Futures' activity to students in the local area
Latest news
-
![]()
Read more aboutNorth East space centre reaches construction milestone
08 Apr 2026Topping out ceremony marks pivotal moment for NESST, which is set to transform the region's space economy.
-
![]()
Read more aboutCelebrating the 125th anniversary of WHR's Mallaig extension
01 Apr 2026The extension opened on 1st April 1901 and contains a series of major viaducts, including the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct
-
![]()
Read more aboutAgratas celebrates milestone with topping out
26 Mar 2026The team gathered to celebrate a topping out ceremony following steels completion in late January
