Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre picks up two accolades in the RICS Awards: North West

The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. They celebrate the achievements and successes of RICS professionals and their impact on local communities.

The £60million Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) triumphed over close to 30 of the North West's most inspiring property projects to win the Design through Innovation award, before winning the overall 'Project of the Year, North West' title.

This award is presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

The GEIC, delivered by Arcadis, Laing O'Rourke Construction and Raphael Viñoly Architects is the first new building in 40 years on The University of Manchester's North Campus and will act as a regeneration catalyst to promote the area as a future "Graphene City", with significant economic impact, over the facility's lifetime.

Graphene City is an ambitious vision from The University of Manchester, that aims to create a thriving knowledge-based economy around Manchester’s revolutionary 2D material: graphene.

By creating a critical mass of scientists, manufacturers, engineers, innovators and industrialists. The innovation ecosystem will have at its core the National Graphene Institute and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre and will accelerate the commercialisation of graphene and 2D materials applications.

Diana Hampson, Director of Estates said: “We have an ambitious Estates Strategy and a billion pound investment programme that is now bearing fruit in the transformation of our buildings and Campus around Oxford Road.

We are delighted with this award as recognition for the quality of our design and construction projects. The GEIC is one of our signature buildings and houses innovation for the 21^st century using graphene technologies first isolated at The University of Manchester.

Our ambition for developing the campus and adding value to the city was also boosted in March of this year when we launched Innovation District (ID) Manchester, demonstrating our commitment to developments that enhance the buildings, public realm and quality of Manchester’s built environment.

We are very proud to win this award – and to win it for such a unique building as the GEIC.”

James Baker, CEO Graphene@Manchester said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Graphene@Manchester and the wider University as it celebrates our vision to create a flagship facility that aims to support the development of our city and the wider region.

The Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) is a key asset of the Graphene City concept – but as the RICS accolade demonstrates that GEIC is more than a building. Working alongside the National Graphene Institute, we are creating an innovation eco-system which will be home to a critical mass of scientists, manufacturers, engineers, innovators and industrialists, all based in Manchester and working together on graphene innovations - from underpinning research through to commercially-ready products.

Chair of the judging panel for the RICS Awards, North West, Will Rees of Rees Straw Chartered Surveyors said: "Due to the high interest in graphene and its potential as a revolutionary material, the future and long-term prospects of the GEIC are significant. It will provide a place for the world's innovators - across various sectors – to help shape the future of our communities and industries by opening up new markets and improving existing technologies and materials.

"The modular construction approach to the GEIC has also delivered maximum flexibility and enhanced the overall building usability, whilst ensuring minimal reliance on energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and natural ventilation. Overall, it is a stand-out Project of the Year."

The GEIC will now go forward as a contender for the RICS National Awards later this year.