Award Winning Year
2019 was a spectacular year for Makers in terms of project and company recognition.
It began fairly early in the year at the British Parking Awards where the iconic Preston Bus Station was recognised as “An Epic Restoration” scooping the MiPermit Award.
The Judges comment was “the refurbishment of Preston Bus Station is a great example of a refurbished car park, blending in modern building design with original décor”. The Police Assessor who accredited the car park for its Park Mark status stated “the facility was the best example of a refurbished car park he had ever visited“.
The sheer scale of the project is a testament to John Laing who originally built the car park back in 1969 and 50 Years on the car park is still fully serviceable and remains a landmark and celebration of Britain’s Construction Heritage. Now a Grade II listed building, it’s brutalist form still remains today as a reminder of the pass design and fashions and still portrays the original intention by Keith Ingram and Charles Wilson of Building Design Partnerships.
In May saw the UK Roofing Awards held at the O2 Intercontinental Hotel. Hosted by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. Against some stiff competition the Water Gardens Project Edgware was awarded Liquid Project of the Year.
The jury panel believed this to be an exceptional use of liquid technology, praising the complex and sympathetic nature of the installation together with the dramatic end result. An amazing liquid engineering achievement.
The sheer complexities, logistical problems coupled with a commemorative garden meant that the original design by Philip Hicks Landscape Designer had to be returned to its original concept.
Construction by Wates and completed in 1966 after 5 years on site this modernist style construction had a root and branch refurbishment but incorporating some modern contemporary features to highlight the gardens from water harvesting and mobility access ramps to new feature lighting, electrics and planting scheme to re-establish the Japanese effect for the next 50 years.
Hosted at the iconic Titanic Hotel in Liverpool the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association had their annual Awards in November. Despite strong competition and entries from around the UK, the Water Gardens again proved to outright winner winning Project of the Year.
Celebrating it’s 40th Year Sarah Spink CEO of LRWA recognised that the industry is growing from strength to strength and that the range of projects using liquid technology is being used in some of the most challenging environments demonstrating impressive skills across the UK.
“The Water Gardens is a deserved winner and brings together all the aspects of liquid technology that truly makes it Project of the Year. Makers were instrumental in making this a community project which involved inclusion from many aspects as well as creating a beautiful lasting space for future generations” Sarah Spink, CEO LRWA.
“It is testament to our Clients, People, Partners and Suppliers that we are able to be recognised and our combined efforts rewarded”
“It takes a dedicated team effort with a desire to do well to achieve this level of consistency. As Managing Director, I am obviously delighted by the level of performance we have achieved across the total spectrum of the work we do and these awards are incredibly special to us and testament to the values and ethos of the Company.
I would like to extend my thanks to all contributions made by everyone involved in these projects who must also share the recognition.
2019 was a truly exceptional year and despite all of our ongoing efforts is unlikely to reproduce the total successes of 2019, but we will continue to apply our principles which in time may hopefully provide many more opportunities for our projects to achieve a degree of recognition.”
Simon Lamb, MD
