Speller Metcalfe prides itself on delivering some of the UK’s most innovative and exciting construction projects which have been recognised by the country’s highest regarded awarding bodies.
Select an award logo on the left to learn more about our recent nominations and achievements.
Site manager Sophie Leake has won the regional award and has been shortlisted as a Finalist for the National Constructing Excellence G4C Future Leader Award 2022.
Sophie has most recently worked on our scheme at the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology for NMITE.
Sophie leads by example and sets the bar high in terms of aptitude and enthusiasm for her role. Her knowledge of the buildings she has worked on and ability to transfer this knowledge to those visiting is exemplary.
Sophie has already helped shape the curriculum that is to be delivered by the CATT, as she was a valuable member of the Industry Working Group that derived the Timber Technology, Engineering and Design competency framework. Working alongside other industry partners, Sophie has provided knowledge from a contractor perspective to help shape the knowledge and skills that future built environment professionals require to allow for more sustainable construction practices.
Ultimately, Sophie cares not just about project delivery, but about people including those that are visiting and working on the construction programmes she is responsible for.
The innovative Dudley Institute of Technology was nominated for Low Carbon Project and Project of the Year (£20-50m) for 2022.
The £22m Black Marches and Country Institute of technology in Dudley delivers on three specialisms; engineering & manufacture, modern methods of construction & offsite, and medical engineering & healthcare. It was developed as part of the government’s £170 million drive to develop higher-level skills across the UK, with £17.36m of funding secured through the Department for Education programme and a further £2m from the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability, the Integrated Project Insurance (IPI) approach allowed the sustainability consultants and wider design team to work closely to develop a bespoke sustainability framework tailored to the project which places performance outcomes at its core. Formulated using the ‘best of’ BREEAM and Passivhaus, the college was able to focus on a low carbon approach.
The scheme is not only one of the first of its kind as an Institute of Technology, but only the third project delivered under the Integrated Project Insurance (IPI) model – part of the government’s trial strategy for delivering new models of construction procurement – with the first, Advance II, also delivered on behalf of the college in 2017.
Speller Metcalfe was appointed to deliver Stage 2 of repeat-client St Richard’s Hospice’s ‘Build 2020’ project.
The new building has minimal energy and carbon footprint, near-Passivhaus performance, and a pioneering use of healthy building materials.
This included the creation of a range of specialist therapeutic rooms to expand the Hospice’s ‘Living Well’ centre. The extended and renovated hospice now includes The Green, a central courtyard at the heart of the hospice, which was constructed using an intricate Glulam timber frame structure and a lattice-work roof. The timber creates a strong architectural tree-like columns which are repeated in their entrance.
The low embodied carbon of timber was a key driver for its selection for the Green. Being a natural renewable low-carbon material, it also has whole lifecycle benefits as it can be reused or recycled at the end of the building’s life.
The Institute of Transformational Technology (IoTT) for Dudley College was delivered through an Alliance partnership.
The multi-million pound building delivers industry-focused level 4+ programmes for the transformational sectors of advanced manufacturing, construction methodologies and medical engineering.
This is the third trial Integrated Project Insurance project in the country and the second one delivered for Dudley College of Technology.
Speller Metcalfe was contracted to restore Derby Silk Mill, brining back to life for the first time in 50 years.
The innovative Integrated Project Insurance (IPI) procurement model created increased opportunity for the inevitable challenges of a Grade II listed building and opportunity to create innovative solutions in terms of buildability, design and client needs as part of a ‘best for project’ approach.
As a result of the regeneration and conservation work, the heritage site has been sympathetically restored from a state of degradation while retaining nearly all of the fabric of the original building, making it fit for 21st-century usage.
The integration of technology and a modern approach has created an all-encompassing experience for visitors that doesn’t interfere with the historic nature of the building itself.
Derby Silk Mill was highly commended for the Sustainable Project of the Year Award 2021.
Speller Metcalfe was contracted to deliver the scheme which was the second in the UK to be delivered using the innovative Integrated Project Insurance (IPI) procurement approach. This model matched Derby Museums collaborative community principles and that of the wider project team.
The heritage development saved an iconic public asset, brining the building back into use for the first time in 50 years. It has provided long term security, safety and sustainability for the building.
Tanworth Court won the Building Better Healthcare award for Best carbon Reduction Initiative (2021). Speller Metcalfe delivered the new build 60-bed care home in Shirley.
The project achieved an EPC A-rating and was designed to the highest sustainability standards and includes heating via a wet underfloor installation with ground-source heat pumps and extensive photovoltaic panelling.
The ambitious Project One Campus for Warwick Independent Schools Foundation has been awarded the RIBA West Midlands Award 2021.
The £29m project was delivered over multiple phases and included:
Nicholas Hare Architects has also been named RIBA West Midlands Project Architect of the Year for their development of the Project One masterplan.
Speller Metcalfe took home the prestigious Project of the Year (under £20m) for the historic restoration and expansion of Derby Silk Mill, largely considered the world’s first modern factory, into the newly-opened Museum of Making.
We were also a finalist for the development of Cyber Quarter: Midlands Centre for Cyber Security at Skylon Park in Herefordshire, which nominated in the Community Engagement Project of the Year, which recognises ‘outstanding community engagement and outreach programmes during its delivery’.
And finally Speller Metcalfe was a finalist in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’ – a new addition for 2021. This award recognises “an organisation who has achieved great things and demonstrated a sustained commitment to making the industry a better, safer, more efficient, more welcoming, more professional or happier place, as well as achieving things never thought possible.”
Pickersleigh Grove, delivered on behalf of Platform Housing Group, has been shortlisted for the Best shared ownership development (urban) category. The development of 92 affordable homes was delivered across six phases, and sits at the foot of the Malvern Hills.
Following regional wins in the West Midlands, the following projects have been put forward for the National Constructing Excellence Awards:
Sister Dora Skills & Simulation Suite (University of Wolverhampton) – Integration and Collaborative Working
Tanworth Court (Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council) – Sustainability
Beatrice Shilling Building (Coventry University) – Value
The Brandon Yard development overlooks Bristol harbour and combines restored listed buildings with new build elements to provide 58 one, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The 17th century restoration and transformation of the site took two years, using a combination of traditional building techniques and modern design.
The £2.6m Sister Dora Skills and Simulation Suite is a state-of-the-art medical teaching facility for students at the University of Wolverhampton incorporating innovative teaching rooms, multi-disciplinary laboratory spaces including mock hospital ward rooms, a bedsit, terraced house, birthing pool and ambulance. The project encompassed a refurbishment of the existing Sister Dora building plus new build extension, and was delivered alongside a 42 space car park, refurbishment of a separate building into modern office facilities and façade replacement of a separate faculty building (the latter as an additional scope of works) – all within a 34 week timescale.
“This process was so successful because each of the team members was engaged and given the chance to contribute. There were numerous examples where challenges were dealt with by inviting all affected to openly discuss the challenge and agree a solution. This process was not hindered by individual agendas, which created an environment where a successful project outcome was the combined, mutual goal.”
Emma Hewitt, Faculty Registrar, University of Wolverhampton.
Tanworth Court is a new build 60-bed care home in Shirley near Solihull. The ‘dementia-friendly’ home was designed by Solihull MBC’s in-house design team in line with Stirling University dementia design principles to create a safe, stimulating and homely environment. Features include clear signage, colour-theming to help residents find their way around and welcoming communal lounges to encourage socialising.
The project involved the construction of a new, three-storey care home with a gross internal floor area of 3051m2.
Achieving an EPC A-rating, the building was designed to the highest sustainability standards and includes heating via a wet underfloor installation with ground-source heat pumps and extensive photovoltaic panelling.
Speller Metcalfe was contracted to build a new £27 million building for Coventry University, named the Beatrice Shilling Building. The four-storey building, which opened on the university’s city centre campus in Autumn 2020, boasts a range of world-class facilities.
Cary Shephard, Coventry University Group Head of Development Project Management, said: “We are delighted with both the quality and utility of the Beatrice Shilling Building, which will add further value to our state-of-the-art Engineering, Environment and Computing facilities.
“It comes as no surprise to see the project’s innovation and value recognised with such a prestigious award, given the outstanding quality of both the exterior build and the excellent interior facilities.
“This is another fine example of the great work our Estate Development team is continuing to do and we’re really pleased with the fruits of our collaboration with Speller Metcalfe, whose dedication helped us to ensure we achieved the results we wanted.”
Project One Campus, built on behalf of Warwick Independent Schools Foundation, has confirmed its place as a 2021 Regional Finalist at the Civic Awards. The multi-phased scheme, which was built across two separate contracts, has been successful during the first stage assessment and now goes forward into the award’s National judging panel for a Civic Trust Award, with winners announced in January 2021.
Alongside the project team, which included BM3 Architecture and our client LiveWest, Speller Metcalfe was awarded the accolade of ‘Best Social or Affordable New Housing Development’ for our work at Oaktree Avenue in Pucklechurch, South Gloucestershire. The project was recognised for ‘Building excellence in the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship.’
For our Rugby School – Day Houses & Dining Hall project, Speller Metcalfe has won a Silver Considerate Constructors Scheme 2020 National Site Award. Feedback from our CCS monitor stated that: “This project demonstrated a fantastic level of consideration towards the public, its workforce and the environment through adhering to the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice, and is an excellent advertisement for the industry in all sections”. A key initiative the team implemented on site was a food bank donation point which was generously supported by our subcontractors and other site visitors.
The scheme scored 41 and 42/50 across two visits.
Speller Metcalfe is delighted to have projects shortlisted in four categories at this year’s CE Midlands awards.
The Speller Metcalfe team received a Bronze Green Apple award for Environmental Best Practice for their work at Coventry University on the new Beatrice Shilling Building, which provides a focus for STEM subjects and links to the faculty’s existing teaching block, ECB1.
Speller Metcalfe was shortlisted for three awards at the inaugural Insider South West Residential Property Awards 2019.
Brandon Yard – Small Residential Development (winner)
Cotswold Gardens – Care and Later Living Development (winner)
Pucklechurch – Social Housing Award (shortlisted)
There was double celebrations for Speller Metcalfe at the West of England LABC Awards, having been shortlisted for two awards in the Best High Volume New Housing Development, we were named both winners and ‘Highly Commended’ for Picture House Court in Bedminster and Cotswold Gardens in Willersey, respectively.
We were delighted to be named winners of the People Development Award at the 2019 South West Built Environment Awards, having supported many staff through qualifications and further study throughout 2018-19.
Project Surveyor Scott Parton has been named Construction News Award’s ‘Rising Star’ 2019. Scott is one of Speller Metcalfe’s most talented surveyors, with ambition and ability to innovate an industrial change to improve working practice within construction. At the age of only 26, he has become the lead surveyor for Integrated Project Insurance (IPI) – an innovative, next-generation model of procurement that unlocks the potential of integrated collaborative working, capable of being applied to a vast range of projects in the public and private sectors.
Picture House Court in Bedminster has won the regional Bristol LABC Award for Best New Housing Development 2019. The highly-sustainable 26-home development has been built using Passivhaus principles, making the properties incredibly energy efficient, comfortable to live in and cheap to run.
Speller Metcalfe was shortlisted for the West Midlands Celebrating Construction ‘People Development’ award.
We believe Speller Metcalfe present a shining example of how construction should be delivered – honestly, fairly and collaboratively. Our company values – collaborative, sustainable, forward-thinking, innovative, considerate and trustworthy – are enacted in everything we do and in all those who work for us. By remaining true to these family values and always working with an open, people-first approach, we have proven ourselves able to attract and retain the best talent and win some of the most exciting and innovative projects.
Speller Metcalfe was shortlisted for our development at Picture House Court in Bedminster, Bristol in the RICS South West Residential Category. Built on the unused and dilapidated site of a former Gala Bingo Hall and situated in the up and coming South Bristol district of Bedminster, the scheme is a ground-breaking, highly sustainable 26-dwelling development, designed and built using the principles of Passivhaus.
Project Surveyor Scott Parton was shortlisted as a finalist for the 2019 G4C (Midlands) Young Professional of the Year.
Scott is one of Speller Metcalfe’s most talented surveyors, with ambition and ability to innovate an industrial change to improve working practice within construction. At the age of only 26, he has become the lead surveyor for Integrated Project Insurance (IPI) – an innovative, next-generation model of procurement that unlocks the potential of integrated collaborative working, capable of being applied to a vast range of projects in the public and private sectors.
Following three wins at the regional heats, Speller Metcalfe progressed to the 2018 Constructing Excellence national finals in the Preservation & Rejuvenation, Health, Safety and Wellbeing and Intregrated and Collaborative Working categories. We were delighted to take home the Integrated and Collaborative Working win as part of the Advance II Alliance for our work on the UK’s first IPI scheme for Dudley College. Read more about the win on our news page: West Midlands project takes home national construction award
Hailed as a ‘game-changer’ for the industry, the UK’s first IPI project, Dudley College Advance II was shortlisted for Project of the Year and the Building Performance Award at the 2018 Building Awards. The Building Awards is one of the most prestigious in the industry and our 2018 nominations follow Speller Metcalfe taking home the ultimate accolade of Contractor of the Year at the 2017 awards.
Speller Metcalfe was shortlisted for Contractor of the Year at the 2018 Education Estates Awards having recently completed some of the most innovative and exciting projects within the education sector including the UK’s first Integrated Project Insurance scheme – Dudley College Advance II, and the Kellogg College Hub, the first Passivhaus building for The University of Oxford.
We are delighted that our ‘No More Excuses’ campaign won the Health & Safety award at the 2018 South West Built Environment Awards leading us to progress to the Constructing Excellence national finals. Find out more about Speller Metcalfe’s approach to Health and Safety.
The ground-breaking Dudley College, Advance II was nominated for Project of the Year (up to £15m) at the 2018 Construction News Awards.
Speller Metcalfe was shortlisted for the second year in a row in the ‘Best Contractor to Work For’ category at the 2018 Construction Enquirer Awards. Despite missing out on the number one spot we were very proud to make the Top 10 following a public vote
Speller Metcalfe was shortlisted for three awards including our Health & Safety initiative, No More Excuses, which was nominated for the Health, Safety & Wellbeing award and Dudley College Advance II for both Integrated and Collaborative Working and Project of the Year. The team proudly took the home the Integrated and Collaborative Working award on behalf of the Advance II alliance team, for their work on the UK’s first IPI project at Dudley College.
We were delighted to take home the award for ‘Contractor of the Year’ at the prestigious 2017 Building Awards, an accolade recognising those companies with an annual turnover of up to £300 million who embrace innovation and have demonstrated outstanding work over the past 12 months.
In their awarding comments the judges praised our ‘wholly innovative approach’ and described us as having a ‘perfect mind-set’.
The UK’s first Multi Comfort Building, Bartholomew Barn at the King’s School Worcester, was shortlisted for Sustainable Project of the Year at the 2017 Construction News awards.
The redevelopment of St. Michael’s Hospice in Hereford was handed the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) West Midlands Award 2017.
As a building contractor proud of its family roots and an organisation that puts people at the very heart of our business, we were very proud to be recognised for our commitment to our teams by winning the People Development Awards at the 2017 South West Built Environment Awards.
The STIHL Treetop Walkway at Westonbirt Arboretum won a legacy of awards in 2016/2017, including the RICS South West Tourism and Leisure award.
For the West of England Awards, St Michael’s Hospice took home the award for Most Inclusive Building and was shortlisted for best public service building and best large commercial project. Charlton House was nominated for Best Social/Affordable Housing Development and our Site Manager Phil Turner was presented with the award for Site Supervisor of the Year at the East Anglia Awards
Our SHEQ Manager, Dan Gamson became Speller Metcalfe’s youngest senior manager aged just 27, and in the same year was awarded with the Young Achiever of the Year Award in the Sustainability category at the Bristol G4C Awards. Subsequently, Dan was also shortlisted as a finalist for the overall G4C Young Achiever of the Year awards.
The Grade I listed Westonbirt Arboretum is home to one of the finest tree collections in the world and won the 2016 Commercial and Leisure category at the Wood Awards. At almost 300m it is the longest structure of its kind in the UK. The walkway bridges across a valley, allowing for ease of access at ground level without any stairs or lifts.
Having achieved BIM Level 2, four years ahead of Government requirements, Habberley was a flagship project for both Worcestershire County Council and Speller Metcalfe. The project was shortlisted for ‘BIM Initiative of the Year’ at the Constructing Excellence National Finals in 2016.
The Master’s House is a legacy of the highest quality historical restoration that endures not only through its refurbishment, but by the emotional investment and experience earned from everyone involved in the scheme. This fantastic project was Highly Commended in the Project of the Year (up to £5 million) category.
Both Stratford Leisure Centre and the new sixth form centre at Solihull School won silver in the 2016 Considerate Constructors Scheme awards. The Silver represents the fantastic hard work of the project team to deliver over and above industry standards and is measured across five categories; care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety and value your workforce.
Following its completion in 2015 and both silver and gold awards, Habberley Learning Campus was once again nominated for another Considerate Constructors Scheme award in 2016 alongside the distinguished Master’s House in Ledbury, with both taking home Bronze awards.
Speller Metcalfe was absolutely delighted to win Contractor of the Year at the 2015 Construction News awards, beating off national household names for the accolade. The judges described Speller Metcalfe as ‘industry-leading’ in fields such as employee engagement and innovation.
Habberley Learning Campus delivered Speller Metcalfe’s first Considerate Constructors Gold award, one of just 98 to receive Gold out of 9000 registered schemes. The team undertook various initiatives to achieve the highest accolade and a final 46/50 CCS score.
Western Power Distribution’s 650m2 depot in Spilsby, Lincolnshire, achieved a BREEAM Outstanding rating of 100.5% at design stage under the BREEAM New Construction 2011: Simple Building’s scheme, making it the highest scoring BREEAM project in the world to date, with an anticipated 101.9% post-completion score.
We were shortlisted for two categories at the Construction Enquirer Awards 2017 – Best Contractor to Work For and Best Contractor to Work With. With this award being judged with a public vote, we are very pleased that Speller Metcalfe was placed as Top 10 Finalists in both categories.
