The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has awarded three top prizes to the i360, including Project of the Year.
The annual RICS awards celebrate inspirational initiatives in the region’s land, property and construction sectors.
According to the judges, the Project of the Year accolade is presented to the scheme which demonstrates “overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area”.
On presenting the award to Marks Barfield Architects, the firm behind the project, the judges said: “This project demonstrates innovation throughout the imaginative design and planning of the tower and pod and also in the foundations, tower construction, the manufacture of the glass pod and the elegant lifting mechanism. The scheme also performs well on a sustainability criteria.
“It has created a new, exciting tourist attraction in place of the ‘lost’ West Pier which has already proved to be a great success.
“This is an innovative project that has created an iconic landmark on a famous British seafront.”
The i360 also won awards in the Tourism and Leisure category and for Design through Innovation.
On announcing the Tourism and Leisure award, the judges said: “When Brighton and Hove City Council sought a new tourist attraction to enhance Brighton’s historic seafront, what was delivered was the world’s tallest moving observation tower.
“British Airways i360 forms an elegant focal point to the open side of Regency Square and on the axis line of the old West Pier, bounded by two new copies of the original ‘Italianate’ toll booths.
“The truly innovative design which incorporates some ingenious features makes this a unique, enduring and very popular tourist attraction.”
And of the attraction’s win in the Design Through Innovation category, the judges said: “The whole approach to this project demonstrates innovation, from the imaginative funding, the thorough design and planning of the tower and pod, and the administration facilities, through to foundations, tower construction, the manufacture of the glass pod and the elegant lifting mechanism.
“In essence a totally innovative project that has created an iconic landmark on a famous British seafront.”
i360 chairman David Marks said: “We are delighted and honoured to have received these prestigious awards, which acknowledge the importance of British Airways i360 both in design terms and to the city of Brighton and Hove.
“I’d like to congratulate and thank everyone involved in the project for this tremendous achievement.”
I liked the bit where it said “imaginative funding”. That was my favourite bit.