Eco-HQ named "Building of the Year"
Thursday 11 November 2004
Ecology Building Society's new showcase headquarters in Silsden, West Yorkshire, has won the "Building of the Year" award in the 2004 Bradford and District Design Awards. The announcement was made at the Design Awards evening held at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford on 13 October 2004. The awards were organised by the Bradford branch of the RIBA and Bradford Council to celebrate and encourage high quality developments across the district.
Completed at the end of 2003, the award winning building was designed by Grimsby based Hodson Architects and built by Lotus Construction of Otley. The radical yet tasteful design reflects the Society's belief in the importance of sustainable, environmentally, conscious building. Most recently, photovoltaic panels were added to the roof, generating free solar energy to supplement that provided by Ecotricity. Next year work will start on a circular straw bale meeting room.
As Chief Executive Paul Ellis commented:
"The new office reflects the principles that guide our lending. Green building is now coming of age as a practical and positive response to climate change. Thanks to the efforts of Hodson Design and Lotus Construction we have been rewarded not only with a significant award but also with a building that is functional, inspirational, and a great place to work!"
The Mortgage Finance Gazette praised the building in recently naming Ecology Building Society as runner up for the magazines "Innovator of the Year" award. The building was also featured by BBC television as the backdrop for The Politics Show that was broadcast in Yorkshire and Humberside on Sunday 7 November 2004.
