Homes for Scotland Annual Awards 2016
Contents 01 Chairman s Message 02 The award categories 03 The judging process 04 Guidance 10 Entries 11 Submission
Chairman s Message 01 30 November 2015 Dear colleague Refreshed and refocused are the watchwords for our 2016 annual awards. This assertion is justified by a comprehensive review by a panel of members whose remit was to ensure that Homes for Scotland s awards remain the most relevant, credible and highly regarded in the industry - shaped by those who know exactly what s involved in delivering the range of quality homes our country desperately needs. As a result, categories have been stripped back to ensure we are focusing on what our members do first and foremost build homes to meet diverse needs and aspirations. The awards comprise: Private Development of the Year large (100+ units) Private Development of the Year medium (26-99 units) Private Development of the Year small (up to 25 units) Affordable Housing Development of the Year Home of the Year First Time Buyers Supporting Organisation of the Year As part of the revamped programme, a maximum of three developments will be shortlisted in the Private and Affordable Housing Development categories with visits to all the sites being undertaken by our soon-to-be announced independent judging panel of experts. In addition, those companies shortlisted for Private Development of the Year will also be considered for our prestigious Home Builder of the Year award with the judging panel undertaking interviews with senior management (covering areas such as customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, product design, health and safety, demonstrations of investment and growth and other quality indicators as they agree) to recognise the more rounded nature of this award. These interviews will be scheduled to take place during the site visits. Separately, we have also introduced a special student award aimed at helping engage and attract future talent to the home building industry. With 2016 being the year of Architecture, Design and Innovation in Scotland, this year s award will be focused on the design of The 2020 House a family home that will aim to meet nearly zero carbon targets in line with European legislation. Like the main scheme, the winner and finalists will be recognised at our Annual Lunch & Awards on Friday 20 May 2016. And to make participation easier, a further change being implemented following the review is the introduction of a pro-forma entry form to help streamline the submission process. Finally, given the importance the awards play in promoting the achievements of the home building industry to external stakeholders and reinforcing the work that HFS undertakes on your behalf, I would strongly encourage your company to support this year s scheme with as many entries as possible by the closing date of Friday 29 January 2016. After all, you ve got to be in it to win it! Kind regards Jim Mather Chairman In terms of other awards: The Homes for Scotland Executive Committee will decide whether there is a case for presenting a Lifetime Achievement award as part of the judging process.
02 The award categories Entries from HFS members are invited across the following categories: 1. Private Development of the Year large (100+ units) 2. Private Development of the Year medium (26-99 units) 3. Private Development of the Year small (up to 25 units) 4. Affordable Housing Development of the Year 5. Home of the Year First Time Buyers 6. Supporting Organisation of the Year A full listing of members can be found at www.homesforscotland.com. NB: no public referencing will be given to non-members.
03 The judging process 1 2 Entrants 3 Entries will, in the first instance, be assessed according to a single stage submission process with judging based on quality, content and strength of case being made. should ensure submissions clearly meet the criteria outlined for each category. A maximum of three entries will be shortlisted in the Private Development and Affordable Housing Development categories, with judges then undertaking pre-arranged site visits. 5 6 Management This senior management representative must therefore be able to answer a broad range of questions in relation to matters such as customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, product design, health and safety, demonstrations of investment and growth and other quality indicators as agreed by the judges. Judges will contact organisations for further information if they consider necessary. of the judging process will be agreed by the judges themselves. 4 Companies shortlisted in the Private Development categories will also be considered for the Home Builder of the Year award for which interviews with a senior management representative will be arranged to coincide with the site visits in order to recognise the more rounded nature of this award. 7 Judges 8 The will declare any vested interests in any submissions and remove themselves from assessment of such entries. judges may, in exceptional circumstances, give special recognition as they feel appropriate.
04 Guidance This section provides direction on what the judges will be looking for in entries across the various categories. There are no limits to the number of entries in any category from any company. Private Development of the Year large (100+ units) Whilst entries for this award should demonstrate how the development creates a high quality place for people to live in, this revised category also seeks to measure commercial success. Key criteria being assessed by the judges will include: placemaking - connectivity, green/recreation space, sense of arrival and community etc. architectural design quality - distinctive character and identity, variation in house type and design, relationship to existing settlements and buildings, response to landscape and topography etc. sustainability - response to local ecology and provision of biodiversity features, green infrastructure, notable sustainability features (e.g. innovative SUDS ponds/ways to capture water run-off), energy efficiency measures etc. commercial success - selection and suitability of property mix, mix of price bands, sales rates and customer testimonials etc. Submissions are invited for live developments or those completed between 1 February 2015 and the closing date of Friday 29 January 2016. New phases of existing developments adhering to this timeframe are also welcome. NB: As new build-focused awards, any refurb/conversion aspect of a scheme must clearly be shown as a minor element of the wider development. Entries from joint venture/consortiums comprising HFS member companies are acceptable, though non-member organisations will not receive any public referencing. In addition to the information required on the pro-forma entry document, submissions must include a design statement, location plan and site layout plan. They may also be supported by up to ten images which best illustrate the development s success in the context of the above criteria. NB: Interior home images are not suitable for this award. In order to highlight the industry s impact and reach in terms of the supply chain, key consultants and strategic partners considered instrumental to the project should be listed for information (although only HFS member companies will receive any public referencing). Please note: A maximum of three developments will be shortlisted in this category with all shortlisted sites to be visited by judges. Shortlisted companies will also be put forward for consideration for Home Builder of the Year with judges undertaking interviews with senior management (covering areas such as customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, product design, health and safety, demonstrations of investment and growth and other quality indicators as they agree) during site visits in order to recognise the more rounded nature of this award. Details of the information required will be circulated ahead of interview.
05 Private Development of the Year medium (26-99 units) Whilst entries for this award should demonstrate how the development creates a high quality place for people to live in, this revised category also seeks to measure commercial success. Key criteria being assessed by the judges will include: placemaking - connectivity, green/recreation space, sense of arrival and community etc. architectural design quality - distinctive character and identity, variation in house type and design, relationship to existing settlements and buildings, response to landscape and topography etc. sustainability - response to local ecology and provision of biodiversity features, green infrastructure, notable sustainability features (e.g. innovative SUDS ponds/ways to capture water run-off), energy efficiency measures etc. commercial success - selection and suitability of property mix, mix of price bands, sales rates and customer testimonials etc. Submissions are invited for live developments or those completed between 1 February 2015 and the closing date of Friday 29 January 2016. New phases of existing developments adhering to this timeframe are also welcome. NB: As new build-focused awards, any refurb/conversion aspect of a scheme must clearly be shown as a minor element of the wider development. Entries from joint venture/consortiums comprising HFS member companies are acceptable, though non-member organisations will not receive any public referencing. In addition to the information required on the pro-forma entry document, submissions must include a design statement, location plan and site layout plan. They may also be supported by up to ten images which best illustrate the development s success in the context of the above criteria. NB: interior home images are not suitable for this award. In order to highlight the industry s impact and reach in terms of the supply chain, key consultants and strategic partners considered instrumental to the project should be listed for information (although only HFS member companies will receive any public referencing). Please note: A maximum of three developments will be shortlisted in this category with all shortlisted sites to be visited by judges. Shortlisted companies will also be put forward for consideration for Home Builder of the Year with judges undertaking interviews with senior management (covering areas such as customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, product design, health and safety, demonstrations of investment and growth and other quality indicators as they agree) during site visits in order to recognise the more rounded nature of this award. Details of the information required will be circulated ahead of interview.
06 Private Development of the Year small (less than 25 units) Whilst entries for this award should demonstrate how the development creates a high quality place for people to live in, this revised category also seeks to measure commercial success. Key criteria being assessed by the judges will include: placemaking - connectivity, green/recreation space, sense of arrival and community etc. architectural design quality - distinctive character and identity, variation in house type and design, relationship to existing settlements and buildings, response to landscape and topography etc. sustainability - response to local ecology and provision of biodiversity features, green infrastructure, notable sustainability features (e.g. innovative SUDS ponds/ways to capture water run-off), energy efficiency measures etc. commercial success - selection and suitability of property mix, mix of price bands, sales rates and customer testimonials etc. Submissions are invited for live developments or those completed between 1 February 2015 and the closing date of Friday 29 January 2016. New phases of existing developments adhering to this timeframe are also welcome. NB: As new build-focused awards, any refurb/conversion aspect of a scheme must clearly be shown as a minor element of the wider development. Entries from joint venture/consortiums comprising HFS member companies are acceptable, though non-member organisations will not receive any public referencing. In addition to the information required on the pro-forma entry document, submissions must include a design statement, location plan and site layout plan. They may also be supported by up to ten images which best illustrate the development s success in the context of the above criteria. NB: interior home images are not suitable for this award. In order to highlight the industry s impact and reach in terms of the supply chain, key consultants and strategic partners considered instrumental to the project should be listed for information (although only HFS member companies will receive any public referencing). Please note: A maximum of three developments will be shortlisted in this category with all shortlisted sites to be visited by judges. Shortlisted companies will also be put forward for consideration for Home Builder of the Year with judges undertaking interviews with senior management (covering areas such as customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, product design, health and safety, demonstrations of investment and growth and other quality indicators as they agree) during site visits in order to recognise the more rounded nature of this award. Details of the information required will be circulated ahead of interview.
07 Affordable Housing Development of the Year With a refocusing on affordable housing developments, entries for this award should demonstrate how projects create a high quality place for people to live in as well as contribute to the regeneration of local communities. The criteria being assessed by the judges will include: placemaking - connectivity, green/recreation space, sense of arrival and community etc. architectural design quality - distinctive character and identity, variation in house type and design, relationship to existing settlements and buildings, response to landscape and topography etc. sustainability - response to local ecology and provision of biodiversity features, green infrastructure, notable sustainability features (e.g. innovative SUDS ponds/ways to capture water run-off), energy efficiency measures etc. In addition to the information required on the pro-forma entry document, submissions must include a design statement, location plan and site layout plan. They may also be supported by up to ten images which best illustrate the development s success in the context of the above criteria. NB: interior home images are not suitable for this award. In order to highlight the industry s impact and reach in terms of the supply chain, key consultants and strategic partners considered instrumental to the project should be listed for information (although only HFS member companies will receive any public referencing). Please note: A maximum of three developments will be shortlisted in this category with all shortlisted sites to be visited by judges. regenerating local communities - economic, social and environmental outcomes that would not otherwise have occurred Submissions are invited for live developments or those completed between 1 February 2015 and the closing date of Friday 29 January 2016. New phases of existing developments adhering to this timeframe are also welcome. NB: As new build-focused awards, any refurb/conversion aspect of a scheme must clearly be shown as a minor element of the wider development.
08 Home of the Year First Time Buyers This new category has been introduced to showcase the quality of home designs to suit a variety of target buyers, with a focus on different groups from year-to-year e.g. executive housing, bespoke designs, three bed semi, four bed detached. First Time Buyers With a quarter of Scotland s 20-34 year olds now staying with parents, our country s housing crisis is particularly affecting our young people. Recognising this, the chosen house type for this 2016 award is that suitable for First Time Buyers (FTBs). Submitted house types should be private homes for sale only. They should also be core products, built regularly across a number of developments. There is no prescription as to price point or number of bedrooms, however, entries will have to demonstrate why this house type is appealing to FTBs and how it meets their particular needs. Judges will consider: function - suitability for modern needs and demands etc. form - design quality, materials, detailing etc. context - awareness of place, appropriateness of scale and massing etc. cost/value for money - economic viability, timescale for completion etc. how the home meets the low carbon, environmental and sustainability agendas Entries will also have to detail: the number of times this home design has been built and how many have been sold the percentage of developments in which it is built selling price energy performance rating whether and where an example of this home type can be visited links to online brochures/video tours Submissions can be supported by customer testimonials and up to five images. A copy of the floor plan must also be included. Submitted home designs must have been on sale between 1 February 2015 and closing date of Friday 29 January 2016.
09 Supporting Organisation of the Year Recognised as being a key award given the vital role associate and RSL members play in our work, this retained category seeks to celebrate this support. Highlighting the award s broad scope, previous winners include a mortgage broker, housing association, planning consultant and roofing contractor. Associate and RSL members are therefore invited to demonstrate the role their organisation has played either in relation to particular projects or best practice initiatives of wider benefit to the general industry/housing sector. These should include relevant supporting evidence and up to five images. Entries from RSLs in relation to the important part they play in unlocking private sector developments are particularly welcome. Judges will consider: the added value the organisation brings to the sector in general or through specific projects the competitive edge the organisation offers over those undertaking similar activities how the organisation has measured its success evidence in the way of testimonials, external validation, accreditation, comparative statistics etc. Nominations are also invited from home builders for those supporting organisations they particularly wish to see recognised. Entries for this category should relate to the period 1 February 2015 to the closing date of Friday 29 January 2016 with relevant dates noted in the submission.
10 Entries 1 Entries must be submitted using the relevant pro-forma developed for each category to help streamline the entry/judging process. 7 It is the responsibility of each applicant to substantiate/evidence their entry. 2 Each entry must use an individual pro-forma. 8 Standard marketing materials will not be accepted. 3 4 All entries must be received separately i.e. where a company is entering more than one category, these should NOT be combined into the one submission. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their entry meets the guidance requirements set out for each award and will be considered accordingly. 9 A corporate logo, together with electronic versions of supporting images, should be included as individual jpegs in 300dpi jpg format as opposed to being incorporated within other documents. Entries taking the form of joint submissions with other companies should include the corporate logos of ALL partner organisations. Individual image files should be no larger than 3MB. 5 6 With specific regard to the Private Development of the Year categories, due to the extremely tight timeframes involved in the judging process, any company unable to participate in the interview process during site visits will be unable to be considered further for the Home Builder of the Year award. Only Homes for Scotland members will be publicly referenced in relation to any shortlisting/award. 10 11 12 Entries must be submitted by 4.30pm on the closing date of Friday 29 January 2016. All entries will be held in strict confidence. Homes for Scotland would wish to give appropriate publicity to the awards scheme and winning entries. Photographs and images submitted will, unless otherwise stated, be assumed to be available for use by Homes for Scotland in such publicity or otherwise more widely (e.g. on the Homes for Scotland website) at a later date.
11 Submission Pro-forma entry templates will be available here from Wednesday 16 December 2015. All entries must be submitted via one of the following methods: 1. Using the zip folder template and instructions which can be found on the Homes for Scotland website here. Final zip folders incorporating all of the elements specified within the entry cover note as appropriate should be emailed to awards@homesforscotland.com OR An email acknowledgement will be generated upon receipt. Should this not be received, please contact the Homes for Scotland office. Any company wishing to submit hard copy entries instead of sending via email should ensure these are received by the Homes for Scotland office by 4.30pm on Friday 29 January 2016 with all individually specified elements contained on a CD. 2. Uploaded to Dropbox, Google Drive or WeTransfer with the link to individual folders emailed to awards@homesforscotland.com NB: Total file size must not exceed 30MB. File names of documents and images should be no more than ten characters to prevent corruption of files on transfer.
With thanks to the following sponsors for their early support of the 2016 Homes for Scotland Awards. Media Partner:
Homes for Scotland 5 New Mart Place Edinburgh EH14 1RW Tel: 0131 455 8350 Fax: 0131 455 8360 Web: www.homesforscotland.com Follow us @H_F_S