Friday, 09 October 2009

AlmaVerde scoops Five Star Awards for Best Architecture and Best Property in Portugal

Pioneering eco-resort AlmaVerde Village & Spa in the western Algarve scooped up a further two awards at the Europe & Africa Property Awards 2009 in association with CNBC, bringing the total number of awards to date to an impressive 18. The latest Five Star awards for for Best Architecture (Multiple Units) and Best Property in Portugal were presented at a gala dinner in London on 16th October,

Previous awards have included the European Royal Award for Sustainability in 2006, and the Homes Overseas Awards for Best Sustainable Development, Best Portuguese Development and Developer of the Year in 2007.

The International Property Awards are dedicated to showcasing the best in real estate across the globe. The fact that AlmaVerde has won two of these coveted awards is proof that energy saving homes can be architecturally attractive as well as comfortable to live in. The homes are designed by principal architect Jes Mainwaring who has developed a unique specification for the local climate, including an innovative comfort cooling technology which reduces carbon emissions by a staggering 94% compared to conventional air conditioning

British owner and Managing Director John Tranmer says: "These awards confirm our commitment to excellence, not only in terms of energy efficient design but in the overall quality of our architecture.

Entries were judged by a panel of professionals whose collective knowledge of the property industry is second to none. This year’s judges included Eric Pickles MP, chairman of the Conservative Party, Ben Wood, industry head property markets of Google UK; Peter Bolton King, group chief executive of the National Federation of Property Professionals; Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the National House Building Council; Christopher Hall, president elect of FIABCI; Wilhelm Harnish, Master Builders of Australia (MBA); Thijis Stoffer, International Consortium of Real Estate Agents Association (ICREA); Helen Shield, editor-in-chief of International Homes Luxury Collection magazine and Gillian Farr, head of design of Laura Ashley Homes.