Timber frame builders Wilson Connolly (Wilcon), Westbury and Beazer took the top three spots in the major housebuilder of the year category at the Building Awards 2001.
Northampton-based Wilcon impressed judges with innovations showing its commitment to building communities, environmental protection and staff training.
In their citation the judges said: ‘Wilson Connolly is a company that’s making a serious contribution to change in the housebuilding scene.’
Its new sister company, the LifeBuilding Company was praised for setting itself 25 sustainability targets, improving insulation and creating shared community facilities on sites.
Wilcon plans to increase its use of timber frame to 90% by 2003.
Chief executive John Tutte said: ‘Wilson Connolly has achieved a great deal over the last couple of years, culminating in our recent acquisition of Wainhomes, and we are now recognised as one of the leading companies in the industry.’
Last year’s winner Westbury was runner-up and received praise for its new timber frame Space4 factory in the West Midlands.
Westbury’s chief executive Martin Donohue was voted Personality of the Year for his transformation of the firm and forecasting trends in the building world.
Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects was runner-up in the Architectural Practice of the Year and won the Best Practice award.
It has a strong sustainability record and has used timber in a variety of projects, including Greenpeace‘s headquarters and Wolverhampton Prison.
Travis Perkins was national builders merchant winner again.
