Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards showcase the best in the region - Barnes Construction

Barnes Construction has been named Contractor of the Year for the second year running at the annual Greater Cambridge Design & Construction Awards.
 
Hosted by Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI), the event was a celebration of industry excellence, and Barnes were honoured to be recognised for its work on the King’s College Chapel Roof Replacement and Spalding Hostel Refurbishment.

It also picked up the David Mackay Award for Engineering & Sustainability for the Chapel Roof Replacement, along with commendations for the Craftmanship Award and Best Conservation, Alteration or Extension over £3m.

The event was hosted by the CFCI at The Auditorium, Pembroke College, Cambridge, and the awards were facilitated jointly by CFCI volunteer trustees and Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, which is the shared planning service for Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District councils.

The awards celebrate the best construction projects completed in Greater Cambridge, including new buildings and conservation, alterations, or extensions to existing buildings. The judging panel is chaired by Dame Fiona Reynolds, former master of Emmanuel College Cambridge and former director-general of the National Trust.

Dame Fiona Reynolds said:

“The calibre of entries this year was truly outstanding, demonstrating an ever-growing commitment to quality, sustainability, and community impact. We were particularly impressed by projects that pushed boundaries—whether through bold adaptive reuse, innovative energy solutions, or exceptional craftsmanship.

“The winners exemplify excellence across the board, and it’s encouraging to see such a strong focus on liveability and resilience in design. Congratulations to all those recognised this evening.”

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, said: 

“These awards celebrate the very best in architecture and urban design, recognising projects that not only enhance our built environment but also contribute meaningfully to our communities. It is inspiring to see how creativity, collaboration, and sustainability are being embedded in projects across the region. We are particularly pleased to see the breadth of entries from beyond the city, and we encourage even more participation in the future. Congratulations to all those involved in this year’s exceptional projects.”

Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure at Cambridge City Council, said:

“We are pleased to celebrate and showcase the design and construction skills, craftsmanship and engineering which have contributed to the built environment we see around us every day. Along with the other judges, I would like to thank all the teams who submitted entries for the 2025 awards, and to congratulate the winners on the high quality of work that we have seen once again this year.”