22 Nov 2010
Environ Communities wins prestigious award
“And the silver award for Best Small Housebuilder goes to… ENVIRON COMMUNITIES!” Tony Dowse beat his way through the cheering crowd to meet comedian Jimmy Carr on stage at the “What House?” Awards ceremony. To answer Jimmy’s question Environ weren’t shortlisted because they build particularly small houses, nor is it that their builders are unusually short! The panel of judges will tell you that Environ took home the prestigious award for their “clean, contemporary design solutions” that have been “impressing judges across a range of awards schemes for the best part of twenty years”.
If there were an Oscars in the property industry it would be the industry renowned “What House?” Awards. This year the Awards ceremony took place on Friday 20th November at a glitzy lunchtime bash in the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. Host Jimmy Carr kicked off proceedings with a characteristically deadpan delivery of some seriously risqué jokes to over 800 movers and shakers of the property world! Jimmy proceeded to quip his way enthusiastically through the awards, crowning Weston Homes Housebuilder of the Year. Berkeley Homes collected the award for Best Large Housebuilder and the prize for Best Sustainable Development went to Miller Homes.
Environ Communities were particularly praised for their innovative site designs which focus on creating a sense of place and enhancing the communities they build in. Their Kings Hill site Oaks Hamlet (www.oakshamlet.com) received a special mention for the “infinite variety” in both the flexible internal designs as well as the flair of their external landscaping. Environ’s future schemes in Devon and Cornwall were also of great interest to the judges for their bold contemporary designs.
The panel of judges was impressed with Environ’s passion for low and ultimate zero carbon living. Looking after the environment we live in is hugely important to the company and Environ’s future plans which include community heating and biomass boilers will set the trends for housebuilders to follow. Their environmental conscious is matched by their attention to customer care where after-sales initiatives quickly resolve any snagging issues. As the judges comment, “there is a sense with this company that the lights are always on – low energy of course!”
