Teambuild 2008: Building Blocks takes the top prize

Young construction professionals solved a real-life construction challenge to scoop a £1,500 prize.

Teambuild 2008, sponsored by ConstructionSkills, challenged young people working in construction to plan and design the development of part of a major university.

The best entrants, representing 24 top employers, were invited to a weekend-long final event at Eynsham Hall, Oxfordshire. The selected teams were given a brief based on a real site at Keele University, presenting a masterplan on the opening evening. The challenges took them right through the design process, finishing with the construction stage.

Team Building Blocks, all working for BDP in London, took the overall prize at the finals. Team member Bea Zimelka said: “This experience has been of huge benefit to us as individuals and as a team. We are absolutely delighted to have won and have had the most fantastic experience, both professionally and personally.

“To have this acknowledged and confirmed by some of the most prestigious judges in the industry is the biggest compliment there could be.”

Building Blocks were presented with a £1500 prize from Roger Adcock, Master of the Worshipful Company of Constructors. The team was commended for showing excellent skills in co-ordination, integration, presentation and leadership in what was a very closely fought competition.

The winner of the procurement strategy prize was London and Cambridge based Urban Garden, who received a £1200 prize from Ian Head on behalf of the prize sponsor, the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects. The team represented Davis Langdon, Freeland Rees Roberts, Max Fordham and Scott Wilson.

The judges’ discretionary prize of £1000 was awarded by Richard Schofield to Team Goal, hailing from London and Manchester, for their consistent efforts over the weekend and for coming a close second overall. Arup, Faber Maunsell, Makin Architecture, Max Fordham and Mayer Brown International were all represented on Team Goal.

Heloise Wood from Team Goal said after the weekend: "This was a fast paced, energetic challenge to all the skills needed to be a team player in today's construction industry - a lot of hard work, but also fantastic fun. I surprised myself! And I met a lot of great people over the weekend.”

The competition is supported by professional built environment Institutions, employers, ConstructionSkills, the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects and the Worshipful Company of Constructors, among others.

It aims to promote understanding and co-operation between young professionals in the construction industry and counts as 4 days CPD as well as helping competitors fulfil several of the core objectives required for chartered membership of many institutions.