County Hall in Trowbridge has been nominated for this year’s Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award, the only building in the South West to reach the shortlist.

The British Construction Industry Awards are the industry’s ‘Oscars’ for all round excellence in construction, with the Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award the pinnacle of the awards ceremony.

The principal aim of the awards is to recognise excellence in its broadest sense – the overall design, construction and delivery of buildings and civil engineering projects.

Buildings shortlisted are exceptional examples of British construction projects and past winners of The Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award include the Tate Modern and the Velodrome at the Olympic Park.

Since 2011, County Hall has undergone a dramatic refurbishment to create a modern, flexible workplace that is easily accessible to customers.

It is comprised of a 1938 traditional civic building and a 1974 extension, now connected via a state-of-the-art glass-fronted atrium, which hosts a public restaurant and café, registration service and new library.

The refurbishment was part of the council’s transformation programme to reduce the number of buildings from 95 to three main hubs.

The judges for the award will assess each nominee in terms of high quality design, efficient procurement, economic and social value, collaborative working, sound financial management, whole-life value for money and sustainability.

The Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award, sponsored by the Cabinet Office, provides a good platform to show what Britain has achieved in this sector in recent years through investment and reform despite a difficult economic climate.

These awards are a prestigious recognition of public buildings that inspire a nation and have a positive impact on society. The winner of the award will be announced at a ceremony next Wednesday in London.