SA1 Waterfront Innovation Quarter wins RICS Social Value award

23rd April 2020
SA1 Waterfront Innovation Quarter wins RICS Social Value award

SA1 Waterfront Innovation Quarter is the winner of RICS Social Impact Infrastructure award for the Welsh region.

The project was selected for its positive and transformational contribution to society.

Phase 1 of the £400m SA1 mixed-use regeneration project for University of Wales Trinity St David comprises of three buildings – IQ, Construction Wales Innovation Centre and Y Fforwm – as well as associated public realm works.

The Waterfront Innovation Quarter represents an important contribution towards developing SA1, forging links with the City’s other university and providing purpose-built facilities for learning, teaching and research as well as social, leisure and recreation space.

The new facilities are an important asset and valuable source of support for local employers and disadvantaged communities. They allow the University to fulfil its core mission to improve access to higher education and skills development.

RICS judges were particularly impressed with the engagement of both the community and industry in providing world-class and sustainable opportunities for learners.

Pierre Wassenaar, Director and Cardiff studio lead, commented on the win:

This award recognises Vice Chancellor Medwin Hughes’s vision for a socially transformative university-led academic quarter in Swansea. For us, it’s been a tremendous journey working with his team to help take those ideas through a masterplanning process to this first phase of completed buildings. We are proud that the project is being recognised as pushing forward the principles of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, and that it has had such a positive effect on the wider South Wales community.

Congratulations to all involved – University of Wales Trinity St David, Kier Western and Wales, TB&A, Jubb, Lee Wakemans and Arup – it really is a fantastic project!

SA1 Waterfront Innovation Quarter will go on to compete at the National Grand Final in London on 24th September. Watch the digital awards ceremony for the Welsh region to see who else will be there.

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