The exceptional success of Sunderland City Hall, an architectural masterpiece that has captured the hearts of industry experts and enthusiasts alike, has been reflected in its long list of well-deserved architecture, design and construction accolades.
Sunderland City Hall, which features vebro Classic Terrazzo across the building including in its impressive atrium and architectural staircase, stands as a testament to innovative design, meticulous craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to excellence. With its awe-inspiring structure and visionary approach, this newly-constructed iconic landmark, built on the historic Vaux brewery site, has not only redefined the cityscape but also amassed a remarkable collection of awards, solidifying its status as a true champion in the industry.
Not one to shrink away from the limelight, the project has been on the receiving end of critical acclaim throughout the architecture, design and construction sectors since it opened to the public in September 2021.
CFJ 2022
Winner – Flooring in Community Venues & Public Spaces
In 2022, the Vebro Polymers team celebrated the achievement of the Contract Flooring Journal Award for Flooring in Community Venues & Public Spaces for its involvement in this illustrious project.
MJF Group project managed and carried out the installation of Vebro Polymers’ luxurious epoxy terrazzo system, prepping the substrate and installing the flooring across a total area of 3,500 m2 over a 10 month period, before being ground and polished by Quest Industrial Flooring.
Combined with pre-cast elements using vebro Classic Terrazzo, fabricated off-site by the team at Andrews Tiles, vebro Classic Terrazzo was installed in two unique shades, RAL 3009 Red Oxide and RAL 7044 Silk Grey, each containing a custom aggregate blend supplied by Boud Minerals.
The Contract Flooring Journal is widely recognised as giving the most authoritative coverage of all sectors of the flooring industry, and its annual awards ceremony brings together an independent panel of expert judges to cast their votes on flooring installation projects vying for the top prizes.
RIBA Awards 2023
Regional Award
Achieving a highly-regarded RIBA Regional Award in 2023, the FaulknerBrowns-designed building has delivered an inspiring new civic landmark and a forward-thinking workplace.
A RIBA Regional Award is given to a UK building for its regional importance as a piece of architecture, with a particular focus on those that contribute positively to their economic, social, environmental and cultural context.
AJ Architecture Awards 2022
Best Civic Building
Describing the construction as ‘open, uplifting, moving and intuitive… sophisticated but not shouty’, the judges of AJ Architecture Awards said ‘it does everything right,’ awarding Sunderland City Hall the top prize for Best Civic Building 2022.
Established to celebrate and reward design excellence in UK architecture, the AJ Architecture Awards are hosted annually by The Architects’ Journal and cover 17+ categories from housing, health, and wellbeing to workplace and cultural projects.
BCO National Awards 2022
Best of the Best & Best Corporate Workplace
Sunderland City Hall has picked up two prestigious gongs from British Council for Offices (BCO), an organisation whose mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. Their annual awards programme provides public recognition for top quality design and functionality and a benchmark for excellence in workplaces, and the Best of the Best award from BCO is presented to the project which is deemed particularly exemplary.
Sunderland City Hall has not only been awarded the Best Corporate Workplace prize in 2022, but the innovative construction was also chosen from the national winners as the Best of the Best, an award that is a true testimony to the vision shown by the project team.
Mixology North Awards 2022
Public Sector and Cultural Interiors Project of the Year
Since 2005, the Mixology and Mixology North awards have celebrated the very best of the products, people and projects within commercial interiors, with a judging panel comprising key players in the industry.
In 2022, Sunderland City Hall was crowned as the winner of its Public Sector and Cultural Interiors Project of the Year prize, owing to its “creative, original, and impactful” design that utilises “classic corporate with modern, elegant and edgy design”.
Insider North East Property Awards 2022
Design Excellence Award & Commercial Development of the Year
Sunderland City Hall not only achieved the prestigious Commercial Development of the Year at the 2022 Insider North East Property Awards, the critically acclaimed civic venue also bagged its Design Excellence Award, with the judges being bowled over by its ability to encourage interaction and collaboration between a previously disconnected workforce.
The awards, hosted by Insider Media, recognise the talent, professionalism and sheer hard work of the region’s property sector throughout the year.
Architecture Today Schüco Excellence Awards 2022
Specialist Contractor Award
Architecture Today’s Schüco Excellence Award, now in their ninth year, celebrates high-calibre façade projects that succeed on a range of interrelated factors – not least ensuring good energy performance and daylighting while meeting demanding aesthetic and technical criteria necessitated by the brief.
In presenting the Specialist Contractor Award in 2022, the judges complimented the way in which Dane Architectural Systems took on every aspect of this complex facade, expertly integrating curtain walling, aluminium fins and stone cladding to create a satisfying and convincing piece of civic architecture.
RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence North East 2022
Best in Region
The RTPI award programmes are designed to showcase and reward outstanding achievements in planning, celebrating the contribution made by the planning profession to communities and the quality of life across the world, raising awareness and understanding of the pioneering work of this industry.
Commending the new Sunderland City Council building at the former Vaux Distillery site for being the catalyst for significant regeneration and transformational economic impacts across the City, the judges of RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence were proud to award the building with the coveted Best in Region gong.
The judges were highly impressed by the architectural and sustainability credentials of the scheme and also by the extensive methods of community and political engagement before, during and after the planning application process.
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Looking for award-winning flooring materials for your upcoming project? Contact your local Vebro Polymers team today.
