Northern Ireland-based contractor Henry Brothers has taken home a major prize at the recent West Midlands Property Awards 2022.

The firm secured the Sustainability Award for the delivery of Woodlands Day Nursery and Forest School at Staffordshire University, a landmark carbon neutral project.

This award represents the second accolade won by the project in recent weeks. Last month the scheme was announced as the winner of the GB & Republic of Ireland Construction Project of the Year Over £2.5million category at this year's Construction Employers Federation (CEF) Excellence Awards.

Managing Director of Henry Brothers Construction, Ian Taylor, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that the Woodlands Day Nursery and Forest School delivered by Henry Brothers for Staffordshire University has been recognised once again.

"It's an exceptional building which is a significant development not only for the University and for Henry Brothers, but for the future also. To win the Sustainability Award at The West Midlands Property Awards 2022 is a superb achievement for the entire team involved in the project. I'd like to congratulate them for their vision, expertise and skill in delivering this wonderful day nursery that will benefit staff, students, their families and the local community."

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In addition to Henry Brothers, the project team consisted of Mace as project and cost managers, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios as lead designer and architect, Max Fordham as building services engineers, Civic Engineers as structural engineers and transport consultants, and Re-form Landscape as landscape designers.

The Henry Brothers' design team included CPMG Architects, structural and civil engineer Hexa and Couch, Perry, Wilkes for M&E services.

Sally McGill, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Lead for Sustainability at Staffordshire University commented: "The Woodlands Day Nursery and Forest School is our first carbon-neutral building on campus, and we're delighted to see the facility recognised for its outstanding green credentials. This exciting new facility is creating opportunities for young children from local communities to discover the outdoors in an enriching and sustainable learning environment.

"Sustainability is at the heart of our University campus transformation plans and builds upon our wider campus initiatives for a more sustainable future. This particular building was designed from the outset with sustainability in mind and has become a blueprint for future carbon-neutral builds on our campuses."

Organisers of the Insider West Midlands Property Awards hailed the project as impressive, adding: "This Net Zero carbon scheme is both a great example of what can be achieved with educational facilities and a fantastic tool in which to inspire the next generation to think more sustainably in their daily lives."

The Insider West Midlands Property Awards were held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.