McBains Cooper consultant on RICS Project of the Year scheme

The Horizons Centre in Ealing has won the RICS London Project of the Year award, beating the likes of the O2 Arena, Fulham Palace and the St Pancras International Station.

Consultant McBains Cooper provided project management, cost management, building surveying and structural engineering to the project. The centre was designed by Gavin Leonard, chief architect at Ealing Council.

The scheme will now go on to represent London in the National Awards in October, which will showcase some of the best projects from around the country.

The Horizons Centre offers support, education and training to young people leaving council care or moving away from foster parents in the London Borough of Ealing.

The scheme involved the refurbishment and redevelopment of two existing derelict Victorian warehouse buildings.

Chris Moore at McBains Cooper, said: "The scheme has so far been immensely successful in improving educational attainment and the life-chances of looked-after children in Ealing.

"By joining the locally important buildings together, the future of these deteriorating warehouses has been secured and will now provide an asset and make real difference to the local community of Ealing."

The design involved many of the young people who would be using it and features a graffiti-wall, made by the users themselves. It comprises a variety of flexible spaces that provide for the wide range of facilities that the centre provides.

The RICS Awards celebrate excellence across the four categories of Building Conservation, Community Benefit, Regeneration and Sustainability. The Horizon Centre won the Community Benefit category and went on to win the Overall Category.

Last year’s London Winner was the Emirates Stadium where this year’s ceremony was held.