A five month search to find the most innovative projects in the built environment throughout Scotland is now on following the launch of the RICS Awards 2016.

The annual awards celebrate the most inspirational built developments from across the country that provide real value to the communities they serve. The awards attract small projects achieved by the vision of one person, to globally recognised developments with significant budgets.

Last year saw the regeneration of Advocate’s Close in Edinburgh receive the coveted RICS Project of the Year, Scotland, which is one of the contenders at the Grand Final Awards, held in the Dorchester, London next month.

Sarah Speirs, director of RICS in Scotland, said: “We received a record number of quality entries this year, and whilst the winners ranged from small scale pioneering schemes, through to multi million pound developments, all shared a commitment and ability to add real value to their local and wider communities.

“Many first class projects have recently been completed across Scotland this year, with more due to for completion in coming months. We therefore hope that entries to next year’s awards will reflect the quality of work taking place in the built environment.”

The eight categories are: Regeneration, Community Benefit, Building Conservation, Design through Innovation, Commercial, Residential, Infrastructure, and Tourism & Leisure. The Project of the Year is awarded to the entry which demonstrates outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

Furthermore, for the first time in the history of the RICS Awards, all category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.

Entry forms are now available for the RICS Awards 2016, Scotland at www.rics.org/awards and the deadline for entries is 15 January 2016.

The RICS Awards 2016, Scotland will be presented at a black-tie ceremony on 14 April 2016 at The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa.