by Jbs110509 b3 — November 13, 2009—Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College in Birmingham in the U.K. has won this year’s Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award. Twenty-four projects were shortlisted for the 2009 award.
The beautiful, protected and calm environment created by Nicholas Hare Architects belies its inner-city surroundings, according to the award description. The college, which opened in September 2008 and now has 1,600 students, is said to have inspired more young people from a range of backgrounds to pursue higher education. The college also offers the community a library and adult learning and sports facilities, and has triggered improvements to what was an inhospitable area.
The college exterior is imposing, with a continuous curved faade towards a busy roundabout, and welcoming, with a tree-lined entrance leading from the road, according to the description. A sequence of inner spaces, including a leafy courtyard and semi-circular garden, leaves traffic and noise behind. Natural light predominates, with glazed walls to the courtyards, double-height spaces and atrium light wells.
Richard Simmons, chief executive of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), added, “Some say that, with tightened budgets, good design is a luxury we can’t afford. Exactly the opposite is true. In straitened economic times, investing in high quality is the best use of public money. That’s the lesson we should take from Joseph Chamberlain College.”
The Prime Minster’s Award recognizes effective delivery and value for money as well as high-quality design. The success of Joseph Chamberlain College is due to the highly collaborative approach adopted by the college, the designers, and the supply team led by BAM Construction, says the Prime Minister’s office. Together they have achieved a flexible and sustainable building, with energy use minimized by passive means.
The award is part of the British Construction Industry Awards. It is sponsored jointly by CABE, the Office of Government Commerce, and the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills.
