New University Building at Potterrow Wins RICS Award

Considering that in the past sixty years the university has allegedly been responsible for the demolition of many Georgian buildings, it is refreshing to hear that the recently completed Informatics building at Potterrow has won a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyers Scotland Award.

For many years the site near the Seventies built Potterrow Student Centre was a car park. Prior to that it was a thriving and interesting  community of shops, which included mock Tudor Parkers stores around Bristo Square. There were many bookshops, including a paperback shop run by Jim Haynes who went on to found the Traverse theatre.

The competition, organised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in Scotland, recognises the achievements of land, property and construction professionals in four categories - Sustainability, Building Conservation, Regeneration and Community Benefit.

"Potterrow is an excellent example of how the latest techniques can be used to create outstanding sustainable developments", said Graeme Hartley, director of RICS Scotland

"The site has been transformed to provide a fantastic modern environment for students and staff of the University to study and work. My warmest congratulations go to all those involved in the projects."

The architects firm Bennetts Associates entered Potterrow for the awards which was judged but some of Scotland's top chartered surveyors and property professionals.  Category winners are entered into the global finals.

The RICS Scotland Awards 2009:

Sustainability
Potterrow, Edinburgh (Winner); Loch Lomond National Park HQ, Balloch (Highly Commended);

Building Conservation
Stanley Mills, Stanley, Perthshire (Winner); Castlemilk Stables, Glasgow (Highly Commended); Blackburn House, Edinburgh (Commended)

Regeneration
Lochgelly Miners' Institute, Lochgelly (Winner); The Steeple, Newburgh, Fife (Commended)

Community Benefit
Castlemilk Stables, Glasgow (Winner)