LRWA Awards 2026 Winners Revealed

The winners of the 2026 LRWA Awards have been crowned at a glittering gala dinner in Liverpool.

Attracting more than 430 guests, the event celebrated excellence across the industry, recognising 24 projects across five categories. All entries were judged anonymously by an independent panel of industry experts with four categories assessing project complexity, workmanship, problem solving, and aesthetics.

The Sustainability Project of the Year award also returned for its second year and was judged against five themes: Reduced Environmental Impact, Beneficial Social Impacts, Product and System Innovation, Carbon Management and Reduction, and Responsible Supply Chain Practices.

As well as a winner of each project category, there was a highly commended accolade for those that just missed the top spot.

LRWA Awards 2026 Winners

Liquid Roofing Project of the Year under 1,000 sq. m (sponsored by Instar)

Winner: Murray Edwards College – Westwood Liquid Technologies & Millane Contract Services

Located in a conservation area, this Grade II listed barrel roof required a full strip after surveys revealed saturation. A warm roof system, with pre-spliced PIR insulation and a PMMA liquid-applied membrane was installed. As no mechanical fixings were permitted, contractors undertook bespoke training to practise adhering the warm roof to the curved structure. Multiple resin layers were applied, low areas filled, and extensive sanding carried out to achieve a glass-like finish. Aluminium trims supported insulation over ventilation gaps, and a PMMA layer, applied in two directions, replicated the roof’s original stippled render.

Liquid Roofing Project of the Year under 1,000 sq. m winner, Murray Edwards College

Liquid Roofing Project of the Year over 1,000 sq. m (sponsored by Ravago)

Winner: Christ’s College, Cambridge – Sika & Emperor Roofing

Known as the ‘Typewriter’ building due to its stepped form, this distinctive structure is a Grade II listed brutalist landmark designed by Sir Denys Lasdun. Contractors overlaid the existing roof coating with a low-odour polyurethane liquid-applied membrane prior to solar panel installation, preserving the original stepped geometry and angular detailing. Deep drainage channels, integrated gutters, tight corners and complex shapes added to the installation challenges while precise colour matching preserved the roof’s original form. Narrow, busy streets around the building required phased deliveries, and scaffolding to protect the façade.

Liquid Roofing Project of the Year over 1,000 sq. m (sponsored by Ravago) Winner, Christ’s College, Cambridge

Liquid Roofing Project of the Year in a Buried Application (sponsored by Quantum Insulation)

Winner: One Leadenhall – Lindner Prater & Radmat

Located next to the Grade II listed Leadenhall Market in London, this new 35-storey commercial building comprises multiple terraces, plant decks and roof areas totalling more than 2,700 sq m. Hot melt waterproofing was installed across each area, together with cold-applied liquid waterproofing for junctions, penetrations, and party wall interfaces. Terrace greenery, including urban planting and attenuation crates, improved views and ecological performance. High-rise logistics, sequencing with multiple trades, and working at height over a busy central London street added complexity.

One Leadenhall

Liquid Waterproofing Project of the Year (sponsored by Polyfoam XPS)

Winner: Bell Street Green Transport Hub – StructureCare & CPG Europe

Constructed in 1973, this multi-storey car park was suffering severe chloride induced deterioration. A methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid-applied membrane was used for the refurbishment, transforming the site into a new green transport hub for Dundee. Contractors removed and replaced more than 19,000 sq. m of deck coating, carried out thousands of concrete repairs, and installed 7,500 galvanic anodes. Over 150 tonnes of waste were cleared, 80 percent of which was recycled. An anti-carbonation coating was complemented by different coloured deck zones and refreshed line markings to enhance aesthetics.

Bell Street Green Transport Hub

Sustainability Project of the Year (sponsored by Unilin)

Winner: 76 Southbank – Lindner Prater & Radmat

This central-London Grade II listed building has been refurbished into 11,000 sq. m of office space powered by renewable energy. Delivering more than 200 per cent biodiversity net gain (BNG), the project incorporates landscaped terraces, biodiverse roofs and a blue roof. Electric melters were used to install hot-melt waterproofing, melting packaging into the process for zero waste. Timber pallets were recycled, and just-in-time deliveries reduced storage and emissions. The project delivered apprenticeships, local recruitment, and community volunteering initiatives. Responsible sourcing, guided by an in-house BREEAM professional and ISO 14001, supported circular principles and helped to reduce the contractor’s carbon footprint by 30 per cent.

76 Southbank

Highly Commended

Liquid Roofing Project of the Year under 1,000 sq. m (sponsored by Instar)

Highly Commended: Oatley House – Polyroof & MLG

This Grade II listed care home required a roof refurbishment while residents remained in situ. The retained asphalt build-up was overlaid using a low odour, hybrid polyester methacrylate liquid-applied membrane, installed over a recovery board and a carrier layer. Contractors had to navigate undulating surfaces and complex detailing. Sandstone parapets could not be fully encapsulated, so handmade timber upstands were installed around the perimeter. Due to their size and profile, the upstands were secured with threaded rods and finished with lead flashing.

Oatley House

Liquid Roofing Project of the Year over 1,000 sq. m (sponsored by Ravago)

Highly Commended: Marks & Spencer, Putney – Proteus Waterproofing & APA Roofing & Waterproofing

This former M&S store had been derelict for eight years, with fire damage, asbestos, and multiple roof deck types across interconnected zones. Each roof section required individual assessment to determine retention, strip-out, or replacement. A warm roof system with a polyurethane liquid-applied membrane was installed across all areas. Timber firring and tapered insulation created appropriate falls, directing water across sloped and flat decks. Deep drainage channels, integrated gutters, and extensive detailing added to the challenges, together with the co-ordination of multiple trades and restricted access.

Marks & Spencer, Putney

Liquid Roofing Project of the Year in a Buried Application (sponsored by Quantum Insulation)

Highly Commended: 19-35 Baker Street – Lindner Prater & Radmat

This central London new-build mixed-use development saw contractors deliver a complex roofing package across multiple blocks, terraces, plant decks and roof areas totalling 8,000 sq. m. Both inverted and warm roof systems were installed, including hot and cold-applied waterproofing, creating green and biodiverse roofs. Curved roof geometries added complexity, particularly where roof build-ups and interfaces had to align with curved building maintenance tracks. Works were constrained by high-rise logistics, restricted access, confined spaces, residential proximity and strict noise controls.

19-35 Baker Street

Liquid Waterproofing Project of the Year (sponsored by Polyfoam XPS)

Highly Commended: Buckingham Road Car Park: Makers Construction & Triflex

Constructed in the1960s and located less than 500 metres from the seafront, this multi-storey car park was suffering from carbonation, chloride-induced corrosion, and structural fatigue. The refurbishment involved extensive concrete breakout, the installation of PMMA liquid-applied membranes, sacrificial anodes, steel supports and aluminium façade fins. Works were constrained by low headroom, confined ramps, neighbouring properties, and a live ground-floor tenant. Safety and usability were improved through open mesh façades, enhanced lighting, CCTV, inclusive parking bays, clear wayfinding, and high-visibility finishes.

Buckingham Road Car Park

Sustainability Project of the Year (sponsored by Unilin)

Highly Commended: 11 Belgrave Road – MAC Roofing & BMI

This low-carbon redevelopment in central London has transformed a 1950’s building into a 150,000 sq. ft net-zero workplace. To reduce embodied carbon, 35 per cent of the existing structure was retained. Extensive green and blue roofs, landscaped terraces, and a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDs) enhance biodiversity, manage rainfall, and improve thermal performance. Materials were calculated to prevent over ordering, with surplus collected and reused across other sites. Contractors recruited locally to the project team and provided a graduate placement. A social value manager coordinated wider community engagement, and local suppliers were prioritised.

11 Belgrave Road

Individual Awards

The event also celebrated the talents of individuals working in liquid roofing and waterproofing.

Student of the Year

Student of the Year (sponsored by Unilin Insulation) was awarded to Harry Robinson from Blackpool Industrial Roofing in recognition of his outstanding dedication and professionalism throughout the Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP). Never missing a day and consistently first to arrive, Harry’s drive, organisation, and genuine passion for the industry saw him complete his NVQ several months ahead of his peers.

Trainer of the Year

Shane Copestake from Triflex was crowned Trainer of the Year. The award followed a rigorous new process which saw LRWA members nominate candidates who were then shortlisted through online interviews and observed delivering a live training session. Shane stood out for his dynamic, visually engaging presentations and well-structured practical demonstrations, earning praise for his knowledge, clear communication, and learner‑centred approach.

Special Contribution Award

Ray McCarten was honoured with the LRWA’s Special Contribution Award in recognition of a career spanning more than four decades and his profound impact on skills development in the sector. After running a successful contracting business, Ray moved into training in 2015. Working for Polyroof, he became a passionate advocate of the Basic Competency Programme (BCP) and in 2019, joined the LRWA as training manager. He went on to redevelop the SAP Programme while helping to establish a new training model that has delivered consistently full courses and more confident operatives.

Congratulations

Sarah Spink, LRWA CEO

Reflecting on the 2026 awards, Sarah Spink, CEO of the LRWA, said: “This was our eighth event and another sell out, attracting our highest number of guests since the awards began in 2017. That growth is testament to our industry’s resilience and ambition, and reflected in the quality of this year’s entries.

“Every category showcased work that genuinely impressed our judges with the standard continuing to raise the bar.

“Congratulations to all the winners and those highly commended, and thank you to our sponsors for supporting another hugely successful event.”

>> Read more about the 2026 LRWA Awards in the news