Digital Life at Teesside University and Pilgrim's Quarter were among the major winners at the 2026 Constructing Excellence North East Awards.
Digital Life secured a double success in the Delivering Value and Integration & Collaborative Working categories and Pilgrim’s Quarter took the Building Project of the Year title.
Industry leaders from across the built environment sector gathered at The Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, to celebrate the organisations, teams and projects driving innovation, collaboration and positive change across the region.
Regional winners will now go on to represent the North East at the Constructing Excellence National Awards on 6 November, where they will compete against winners from across the UK.
This year’s awards were made possible thanks to the event’s sponsors, including headline sponsor, CDM Recruitment and category sponsors, AtkinsRéalis, Centurion Fire Safety Solutions, DAC Beachcroft, GenNorth, Isoler Ltd, Robertson CE Limited, Northumbrian Water Group, Wates Construction and Weightmans LLP, with H Malone & Sons Ltd sponsoring the drinks reception.
The awards supported Heel & Toe Children’s Charity, which provides free and subsidised therapy to children with physical disabilities and complex needs across the North East. More than £10,000 was raised on the night, alongside offers of support for the charity’s Roof Appeal.
Among the evening’s highlights were the Delivering Value, Integration & Collaborative Working and Building Project of the Year categories.
Winner of the Delivering Value Award, Digital Life at Teesside University, was recognised by judges for its outstanding demonstration of value-led delivery. The project was praised for highlighting that true value extends beyond cost, creating a future-focused asset that delivers long-term economic, social and environmental benefits.
Combining world-class digital teaching and research facilities with exceptional flexibility, inclusivity and sustainability, the development generated significant regional impact through local spending, SME engagement and training opportunities. Achieving a BREEAM Outstanding rating and a record Considerate Constructors Scheme score, it was commended by judges for demonstrating how construction can deliver lasting value for communities and clients alike.
Digital Life also secured the Integration & Collaborative Working Award, with judges praising the trusted partnerships, early supply chain involvement and genuine one-team culture that underpinned delivery.
Initiatives like Equip at HMP Deerbolt showcased the transformative impact the built environment sector can have on communities, in the Social Impact Award. A category which was launched this year, receiving a staggering number of entries.
The Building of the Year category’s top honour went to Pilgrim’s Quarter. Judges praised the project for its exceptional scale, complexity and collaborative delivery, highlighting its contribution to the regeneration of Newcastle city centre and the positive impact achieved through commercial success, heritage preservation, sustainability and social value.
The judges also presented a Special Award to the AESC UK Gigafactory Project, delivered by Wates Construction and AESC UK. Recognised as a truly first-of-its-kind development, the project stood out for its extraordinary scale, technical complexity and national significance
Catriona Lingwood, Chief Executive of Constructing Excellence North East, said: “The quality of entries this year was exceptional and reflects the talent, innovation and collaborative spirit that exists across the North East’s built environment sector. Congratulations to all of our winners and finalists, who continue to deliver projects that create lasting value for communities and businesses across the region.
“Digital Life at Teesside University and Pilgrim’s Quarter are excellent examples of the ambition, quality and positive impact being delivered across the North East. We must also applaud our people who contribute so greatly to the built environment. In particular, Darren Vipond, Director of Campus Services at Teesside University, who received the outstanding contribution award. Darren has done so much for our sector and in recent years, Teesside University has won a number of categories in both our regional and national awards.”
“I would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support in helping us celebrate excellence across our industry. Thanks must also go to all of our evening’s guests who helped raise an outstanding sum for Heel & Toe Children’s Charity.”
Full list of winners from the 2026 Constructing Excellence North East Awards:
Integration & Collaborative Working
Winner: Digital Life, Teesside University – Wates Construction, Teesside University, Gardiner & Theobald, Hawkins Brown, Billinghurst George & Partners, Desco and One Environments
Highly Commended: Hexham General Hospital Refurbishment – Phase 3 – Integrated Health Projects (Sir Robert McAlpine and VINCI), Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, Identity Consult, P+HS Architects, Stantec, CAD21, Dalkia UK and Summers Inman
Highly Commended: Pilgrim’s Quarter – Bowmer + Kirkland, Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Ltd, Avison Young, Ryder Architecture, Cundall and Oobe Landscape Architects
People & Culture
Winner: Esh Group
Highly Commended: RE:GEN Group Ltd
Social Impact
Winner: Equip at HMP Deerbolt – Equans
Delivering Value
Winner: Digital Life, Teesside University – Wates Construction, Teesside University, Gardiner & Theobald, Hawkins Brown, Billinghurst George & Partners, Desco and One Environments
Innovation
Winner: MGL Group
Regeneration & Conservation
Winner: Bailiffgate Hotel – Robertson, Northumberland Estates, MawsonKerr, CK21, Kyoob, Bell Munro and Room 33
Sustainability
Winner: South Bank Watercourse – JBA Consulting, South Tees Development Company, ZTL and Hall Construction Services
Highly Commended: West Park Alleviation Project – Seymour Civil Engineering, Hartlepool Borough Council and Environment Agency
SME of the Year
Winner: True North Construction
Micro-SME of the Year
Winner: A&N Safety Consultants
Residential Project of the Year
Winner: Union Village, Gresham – Esh Construction, Thirteen Group, Arcus Consulting LLP, Elliott Associates, CK21 and IDP
Highly Commended: HUSK Northumberland – Northumberland County Council, HUSK Northern Limited and MGM Construction
Retrofit
Winner: HICSA – Housing Innovation Construction Skills Academy – AtkinsRéalis, Sunderland City Council, Brims Construction, MawsonKerr, SHED and Skelly & Couch
Client of the Year
Winner: NuTH Capital Works (nominated by Robertson)
Infrastructure Project of the Year
Winner: Keel Crossing, Sunderland – VolkerStevin Infrastructure Limited, Sunderland City Council, Arup and Knights
Building Project of the Year
Winner: Pilgrim’s Quarter – Bowmer + Kirkland, Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Ltd, Avison Young, Ryder Architecture, Cundall and Oobe Landscape Architects
Highly Commended: Digital Life, Teesside University – Wates Construction, Teesside University, Gardiner & Theobald, Hawkins Brown, Billinghurst George & Partners, Desco and One Environment
Special Award: AESC UK Gigafactory Project – Wates Construction and AESC UK
Outstanding Achievement Award
Neil Matthias, Major Project Director, Wates Construction
Outstanding Contribution Award
Darren Vipond, Director of Campus Services, Teesside University