Two innovative Bristol building projects have been named among the best in the South West in a prestigious property awards scheme.
The developments – The Wave inland surfing attraction at Easter Compton and the Copper Building residential scheme in South Bristol – were recognised in the 2020 Michelmores’ Property Awards. 
Now in their 18th year, the awards recognise the best property and construction schemes across the South West, as well as the teams involved in them.
The Wave, pictured, which opened a year ago, won the Leisure & Tourism Project of the Year category. The ground-breaking scheme includes a 180m long surfing lake that uses cutting-edge technology to produce consistent, safe waves, enabling more people to practice and enjoy the sport all year round.
The attraction includes a clubhouse with bar, restaurant, shop and educational spaces sit alongside the lake and there are plans to expand the site with camping facilities.
Architect and awards judge Rachel Bell described it as “a true innovation and a world first”.
She added: “This interesting and exciting scheme represents a new take on a tourism project.”
Copper Building at Lakeshore, pictured, was crowned Residential Project of the Year (36 units and over). The new building continues the revitalisation of the area, the former showpiece headquarters of Imperial Tobacco. 
The new four-storey apartment development has 136 homes with parkland views, access to allotments, a gym and underground parking just a few miles from the centre of Bristol.
The building takes its name from its distinctive copper-cladding intended to complement a neighbouring Cor-ten steel 1970’s structure.
Rachel Bell said the building’s design was not only distinctive but took sustainability into account.
“The architects have thought about how people will move around the site and the building – it’s an outstanding scheme, congratulations to the team,” she added.
The awards are staged by law firm Michelmores, which has offices in Bristol, Exeter and London.
The firm’s head of property Emma Honey said: “The South West’s property and construction industry has shown itself to be a force to be reckoned with during the past eight months.
“We have all experienced a period of unprecedented change and uncertainty – yet our industry and those working within it are showing great resilience.
“There has never been a better time to celebrate what is great about the South West’s property and construction industry and these two schemes exemplify some of the very best.”
Other winners included Kresen Kernow in Redruth (Building of the Year), a re-imagining of a derelict, post-industrial site into an important community asset and world-class archive facility, and Bath Spa University’s Locksbrook Campus, which was originally designed in 1976 by renowned British architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw for US furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
After acquiring the Grade-II listed building, Bath Spa University worked with Sir Nicholas’s global design practice Grimshaw to create world-class educational facilities, including flexible studio spaces, workshops and open areas designed to foster creativity and collaborative working.
The awards were presented at a virtual celebration hosted by former Exeter Chiefs player Chris Bentley.
