PORTADOWN architect Paul McAlister has been awarded Sustainable Building Project of the Year for his design of the zero-carbon Crest Centre for South West College in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. Mr McAlister's studio was commissioned by the college to design a sustainable technology research facility that could benefit others, by the technologies designed and tested there. Comprising of three areas; the hub, the research and development lab and the pavilion; the new Crest Centre will be one of the most sustainable buildings in UK and Ireland and will be the first commercial building in Northern Ireland that will have the passive house certification. Mr McAlister said: "Our 'fabric first' approach to the design ensured the use of renewable energy technology had maximum benefit. A major innovation for this research facility was the ability of the design team to integrate the Passive House principles and BREEAM guidelines into the design to produce a zero-carbon building."