Lincoln's futuristic Think Tank business innovation centre celebrates its first birthday today (10th June) having garnered a raft of awards and plaudits in its first 12 months.

The £7.1m facility was opened last year by Jason Bradbury of The Gadget Show, Nick Hewer of The Apprentice and online entrepreneur Shaa Wasmund and has already won two awards from RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects, and the Local Building Authority Chair's Excellence Award.

The latest award came last month when the Think Tank won a RIBA East Midlands 2010 Architecture Award as "a building that has drama, inclusion and expression".

This success means it is eligible to be considered for the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize, awarded live on Channel 4 each autumn to the architects of the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the past year.

The Think Tank was praised by the RIBA jury for offering a front for new businesses that conveys professionalism, solidity, and a dash of verve. 

Last month's award followed a double at the 2009 RIBA East Midlands Awards, where it won prizes for architectural design and environmental impact.

The Think Tank has also won the Local Building Authority Chair's Excellence Award, was a runner-up in Building magazine's Project of the Year and was shortlisted for a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors East Midlands Regional Award.

Rob Smith, an economic development officer with the Greater Lincoln Partnership, said: "As a place for innovative businesses, the Think Tank is an inspiring and flexible place to work, perfectly suiting its purpose.

"Ever since it was first designed, we have been extremely proud of the Think Tank and know that it is an exceptional building."

Specifically commissioned by City of Lincoln Council to attract innovative businesses to the city, the centre is now home to 11 organisations including the University of Lincoln's fledgling School of Engineering.

It stands close to where the first ever tanks were built and tested during the First World War and its design gives a nod to that heritage with its riveted panelled cladding.

The Think Tank was built to high sustainability standards and features innovative ground-source heat pumps and recycled building materials.

"The ground-breaking design has been a major factor in attracting tenants and conference organisers to the building and occupancy levels are already ahead of those predicted in our business plan," said Rob Smith.