GBS Roofing Plays Key Role in Hillsborough Castle Awards Success

— 01 June 2020

Antrim-based specialist flat roofing firm, GBS Roofing, is celebrating news that the restoration of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Visitor Facilities has won Project of the Year in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Social Impact Awards 2020.

GBS Roofing delivered the flat roofing requirements for the restoration project, which aimed to preserve and showcase the historic castle and its heritage for future generations. The overall project was led by contractors, the F3 Group, and architects, Consarc Design Group. Traditional roofing was installed by Penrose Roofing.

Barry Mairs, Managing Director, GBS Roofing said:
“Hillsborough Castle was built in the late eighteenth century and has played a key role in the history of Northern Ireland, so it was an honour to play a part in its restoration.

“GBS Roofing has worked on a number of unique refurbishment projects. Our expertise ensures that the most modern technical solutions can be applied in ways which respect and enhance original design concepts. The specialist flat roofing we installed at Hillsborough Castle’s Visitor Centre, using Sika Trocal, will ensure it is waterproofed and protected for many years to come.”

RICS judges said that the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens restoration project was: “an exemplary display of traditional skills and workmanship working alongside modern surveying and delivery techniques.

“With extensive collaborative working with stakeholders and local community groups the project has revealed a once hidden treasure and for the first time, made its heritage accessible to all and secured for future generations the economic viability of the visitor attraction as well as the surrounding area.”

The RICS awards recognise the built environment's positive and transformational contribution to society. A range of projects and initiatives nominated from the com
mercial, healthcare and education sectors, showcased the very best of collaborative construction projects from across Northern Ireland.

The NI regional winners will now go forward to the RICS UK awards final to be held in London in September 2020.