Carlisle academy wins architectural commendation
Last updated at 13:13, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Carlisle's Richard Rose Morton Academy has won another plaudit for architectural merit.
Its £25m buildings were commended by the Civic Trust at an awards ceremony in Cardiff on Saturday, fronted by TV architect George Clarke.
This is the third major accolade to come the way of the school buildings, which received two awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects last year.
The Civic Trust Awards date from 1959 and are among the oldest of their type in Europe.
Commendations are given to projects that make a “significant contribution” to the quality and appearance of the built environment.
The judges said of the academy: “This building works at all levels, combining all the subtle aspects of a successful urban layout with internal spaces that provide a friendly, nurturing environment.
“The triple-height glazed walls provide an appropriate statement for the academy offering visitors a view through the façade and beyond into the atrium.
“Detailing has been thoroughly thought through creating a building that is interesting, appropriate and technologically advanced, enabling it to address the needs of students and staff in unusual and effective ways.”
The academy buildings, which opened in September 2011, were designed by the Manchester architect BDP and built by Kier Construction.
They feature a three-storey glass atrium and flexible lecture theatre to accommodate 400 people.
Two wings are linked by a ‘mega bridge’ at the narrowest point of the atrium, which visually splits the space into two distinct halves. The northern half is for dining use, the southern a large multi-functional space.
The school has capacity for 1,150 pupils plus a 250-place sixth form.
Headteacher Katie Robinson said the school was “honoured” to receive the commendation.
She added: “We are very proud of our building, which serves our pupils and community well. It will continue to be developed as a community hub for the benefit of everyone.”
The academy was one of 46 commendations in the Civic Trust Awards but the only Cumbrian project to figure.
A scheme to restore shopfronts in Cockermouth after the 2009 floods won an award last year.
First published at 11:38, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
This is typical of the press! Open up the comments to enable people to use the story as an opportunity to be negative about the school. This is about an architectural award, not the quality/standards of teaching. There are so many good things happening at RRMA, why not focus on these rather than using this story as a stick to beat with them with. RRMA was NOT judged to be a failing school and is working to improving standards. Lets focus on this improvement and its future success!
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angryparent - get your child to school on time then...
Posted by responsible on 16 March 2013 at 11:28