|

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC), in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), last night announced Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham and Usworth Sixth Form College, Sunderland, as the joint winners of the prestigious Further Education Design Excellence Awards 2008.

The awards celebrate design excellence in the Further Education (FE) sector and entries were judged on their innovation, excellence, sustainability, adaptability and 'feel good factor.' The winning architects, Bond Bryan Architects for Matthew Boulton College and Dewjo'c Architects for Usworth Sixth Form College, were presented with a cheque for £5,000 each by John Taylor, LSC National Council Member and Jack Pringle, former President of RIBA at an awards ceremony in London last night.

The judges praised Matthew Boulton College for creating an inspiring learning environment with excellent use of space. Usworth Sixth Form College was singled out for its bold design and its focus on sustainability that had created a welcoming place to learn.

This year saw an exceptionally high standard of entries, all of which were built in the last two years. The Kilburn Centre, College of North West London by GHM Rock Townsend, claimed second place and was praised for creating a stimulating place to learn.

The following were highly commended by the judges:

The awards ceremony took place at the RIBA & LSC Innovation by Design Conference. The event provided those leading capital projects with the opportunity to consider how the current investment will ensure high quality colleges for the future and speakers included Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State, Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education who delivered the keynote address.

Chris Banks, Chairman of the LSC, said: "I am hugely impressed by the innovation shown by the winning colleges, they have created state of the art, inspiring places that enable world-class learning and teaching. High quality facilities like these will increase participation, attainment and raise standards across the FE sector."

Andy Wilson, Principal of Westminster Kingsway College and Chair of the RIBA LSC Forum, said:

"The winning colleges are excellent examples of innovation in design. The provision of such intelligently designed facilities will enable students to enjoy a high quality of learning, and leave an excellent legacy for generations to come."

Last month, John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills announced a £2.3 billion strategy, Building Colleges for the Future, to continue to renew and modernise the FE Estate and ensure world-class education and facilities for all. Over 150 colleges throughout England are set to benefit from the investment.