Sandwell Council, an award winning local authority is celebrating after winning two major industry awards for its pioneering work on the West Midlands Virtual Hospital (WMVH). The digital representation of a real-life hospital embedded with a 3D BIM (Building Information Modelling) learning platform was recognised at the Celebrating Constructing Excellence Awards (West Midlands) 2015 on 10 July, with the council winning the ‘Innovation’ category and ‘Client of the Year’.

The Celebrating Constructing Excellence Awards (West Midlands) celebrate best practice in the built environment industry in the West Midlands. Held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, the judges recognised Sandwell Council’s exemplary actions in the construction sector and, in particular, their work on boosting the supply chain skills of the West Midlands region’s construction SMEs.

Following this double award win, the council now progresses through to the Constructing Excellence Awards national finals. The annual ceremony is a black-tie affair taking place on 23 October 2015 at The Marriott Hotel in London and is one of the most coveted awards in the construction profession.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commenting on the awards win, Councillor Paul Moore, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received recognition for our innovative work with our supply chain. Building information modelling (BIM) is set to revolutionise the industry, taking construction into the digital age and our excellent work on the West Midlands Virtual Hospital demonstrates the council’s dynamic and pioneering approach in engaging with businesses and encouraging them to adopt new technologies.”

Sandwell Council has already received national recognition and has been shortlisted for a number of prestigious awards for its pioneering work aligned to WMVH.

The Celebrating Construction Excellence Awards joins our FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) award for ‘Best SME-friendly public sector procurement’ and Construction News 2015 Awards for ‘Best BIM Initiative of the Year’ and shortlisted entries in the 2015 Global Procurement Leaders Awards and, Express and Star Business Awards 2015.