Gareth Hoskins Architects were the winners of the competition to work with Bird College to redevelop and rationalise their facilities onto a single site solution in Sidcup, Kent.

Bird College is an internationally renowned provider of education and professional training in dance, music and theatre performance. As well as delivering Degree programmes accredited by the University of Greenwich and a National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre validated by Trinity College London, Bird College is the provider of music and junior dance services for the London Borough of Bexley. Many of the College’s graduates go on to pursue a professional career in the performing arts, with a strong presence of Bird College alumni within West End musical theatre.

As well as Trustees from The Doreen Bird Foundation and the College’s senior management team, the Jury Panel benefited from the experience and creativity of Professor Anthony Bowne, Principal and Chief Executive of Trinity Laban; Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie’s Centres; together with Greg Penoyre, Senior Partner, Penoyre & Prasad LLP, acting as RIBA architectural advisor to the competition. The Panel was greatly impressed by the winning design approach proposed and the vision for the future of Bird College.

On hearing that he had won the competition, Gareth Hoskins commented:

"We are thrilled to have been chosen to work with Bird College. Our initial ideas focus around creating an engaging and inspiring educational venue that supports the College’s ambitions of continuing to develop their local connections, whilst also allowing them to expand their national and international profile within the performing arts. We are very much looking forward to working with the College to take these ideas forward with them."