RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station has won the South West social impact awards

The brand new RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station has won the Royal Institution Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Social Impact Awards 2020 under the ‘Land and Rural’ category and was also shortlisted in the ‘Infrastructure’ category. The RICS awards ceremonies took place in twelve different regions across the UK, with the South West awards on 15 May. Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, the ceremonies were re-scheduled online through pre-recorded videos, which revealed the winning building last Friday.

In 2019, RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station undertook a modern upgrade to provide the volunteer crew with an innovative working environment. The contemporary two-storey build features a large operational room, training room, changing facilities and workshop for the crew, along with a public engagement area. This is paramount for the local community allowing the RNLI to convey its water safety messages to locals and visitors whilst also displaying Penlee’s proud lifesaving heritage.

The project was led by the designers Studio Four Architects, with, Marbas Civil and Structural Engineers, TNG Consulting, Slade Parry quantity surveyors, and MSafe as construction Health and Safety lead, and built by Symons Construction Ltd taking around nine months to complete.

Costing just under £1.2 million, the new building was funded by a number of generous bequests and donations from individuals, trusts, companies and a very well supported local community appeal.

Steve Robinson, director of Studio Four Architects, says, ‘We were delighted to receive the wonderful news on Friday that our Penlee Lifeboat Station project for the RNLI won the ‘Land and Rural’ category at the South West regional finals of the RICS Social Impact Awards. The Land and Rural category rewarded projects that improved the built or natural environment in urban, rural or coastal areas. The project was also shortlisted in the ‘Infrastructure’ category.

It will therefore be progressing to the national finals later in the year! Well done to all those involved in the project. A superb team effort’.

All category winners will go through to the RICS Social Impact Awards 2020 grand final which is due to take place in London on 24 September 2020.

Notes to editors

· Attached an image of RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station credit Studio Four Architects https://studiofourarchitects.com/rnli-penlee-lifeboat-station-wins-an-rics-award/

· A re-run of The RICS Social Impact Awards Ceremony for the South West can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3oqgY2FyDA&feature=youtu.be

· Take a look inside RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Station https://studiofourarchitects.com/rnli-penlee-lifeboat-station-2/

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For more information please contact Becky Bright, RNLI Media Engagement Placement for the South West on 01736 753567 or [email protected] or Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager on 07920818807 or [email protected]. Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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