Three construction projects in Hertfordshire have been hailed for their green and sustainable innovations at the two-yearly Hertfordshire Building Futures Awards 2011.

Supporting Hertfordshire in its commitment to an environmentally sustainable future, the Awards are designed to recognise construction projects that demonstrate innovative, creative and high level design quality in response to current environmental challenges.

Thirteen schemes, including a local dairy, two colleges, a children’s centre, and an Olympics event venue were shortlisted in three Awards categories – Most Sustainable Construction, Design Excellence and Outstanding Commitment to Adapt to a Changing Climate.

All winners and commended projects were announced at an awards ceremony at the Watford Colosseum on 22 November. These were: The University of Hertfordshire Law Court, Hatfield (Winner of the Most Sustainable Construction category); the Cotney Croft and Peartree Way housing development in Stevenage (Winner of the Outstanding Commitment to Adapt to a Changing Climate); and Hertford Regional College, Broxbourne (Winner of the Design Excellence category). Special Award winners for the Design Excellence category were Frobisher House in Bushey and the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross.

In addition, the Temple Court housing scheme in Baldock was ‘highly commended’ in the category for Outstanding Commitment to Adapt to a Changing Climate. West Herts College, Watford, was ‘highly commended’ in both the Most Sustainable Construction and Design Excellence categories and the new Goshala (Dairy Farm and Visitor Centre) at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Aldenham, was ‘commended’ in the Design Excellence category.

The entries were assessed by an expert panel of judges: urban designer Jeremy Caulton; architect Barry Shaw; sustainability expert Dr David Strong; sustainability consultant Isabel McAllister.

Richard Thake, Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety, said: “Once again, the biennial Building Futures Awards have proved that there is an abundance of innovative, sustainable and environmentally sound developments in Hertfordshire.

“I would like to congratulate all of our winners and shortlisted entrants for making Hertfordshire a greener and more sustainable place to live for people now and in the future.”

The Hertfordshire Building Futures awards recognise organisations which have made steps towards implementing the Building Futures guidance, a set of construction and design guides reflecting Hertfordshire’s commitment to reducing the impacts of new developments on the environment.

Jane Alford (Vice Principal of Hertford Regional College) is pictured on the left receiving the College’s Award at the presentationg ceremony from Richard Thake, Hertfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety. Also in the picture are Barry Shaw MBE (Herts Building Futures Award Judge) and Cllr Ray Hannam (on the right).