RIDBA launches FAB award scheme
A competition to recognise excellence in farm building has been launched by the sector’s representative.
An award to recognise excellence in farm building has been launched by RIDBA, the Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association.
The organisation has taken the opportunity of its 56th year, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics to launch the competition to counter this challenging time for the agricultural sector and give some feel good factor back to the industry.
The first contest of its kind, the FAB (Farming and Agricultural Buildings) award aims to recognise and rewards contractors and clients who have taken the time and effort to ensure their new farm building is sympathetic to and even complements the local landscape, while ensuring it is fit for purpose and has been designed with sustainability in mind.
Supplied by a RIDBA corporate member, typically a contractor or fabricator of steel or timber framed buildings, the building must be a working one. The award excludes industrial and commercial buildings unless they are associated with agriculture, such as a farm shop or café, but includes equestrian buildings.
Construction of the building must have started after January 2010 and been completed by October this year. The deadline for applications is October 31st.
Judged by the sponsors Wedge Galvanising, Kingspan Insulated Panels, Marley Eternit, Brett Martin Daylight Systems and Steadman’s, as well as RIDBA chairman Geoff Simpson, their decision will be based on 50% of the marks being allocated for aesthetics/design, 30% for functionality/fit for purpose, and 20% for sustainability.
A shortlist is expected to be announced by the end of the year and all of these shortlisted entries will then be visited by a judges’ representative, ready for the prize giving at a prestigious national event next spring.
RIDBA secretary Tony Hutchinson said: “Farm buildings are capable of delivering more than just a roof over the heads of animals, crops or machinery. We want to reverse that old architectural adage ‘Form without function’ and show the wider world that agricultural buildings can have function with form.”
RIDBA’s 200+ members comprise contractors, designers, colleges, surveyors, land agents, planners, manufacturers and clients. The organisation campaigns on their behalf in the fields of good practice, health and safety and new legislation.
ENDS
Pictured from left: Richard Lloyd, technical engineer with sponsors Kingspan Insulated Panels, Rebecca Farren, campaign manager with sponsors Marley Eternit, and Geoff Simpson, RIDBA chairman.
Tracy Twitchin
Director
TLC pr
0151 227 4957
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