The inspirational combination of restoration and contemporary design and build work at Derby College’s new £48 million Roundhouse vocational campus has received official recognition by construction industry experts.
The Roundhouse on Pride Park in Derby, which opened its doors for the first time to more than 2,500 vocational programme students last month,(September 2009) won two awards at the East Midlands Centre For Constructing the Build Environment (EMCBE) Construction Excellence Awards 2009.
The second annual awards event was appropriately held at the Roundhouse Roundhouse on Thursday (October 15) and saw the development win Project of the Year and Heritage Project of the Year awards.
Ian Gibson, Bowmer & Kirkland Project Manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won these awards. The project has been a real team effort from everyone involved. This is the proudest moment of my career.''
The Roundhouse campus has brought back to life the magnificent Grade II listed Roundhouse built in 1839, which is now the social hub for students, as well as the adjacent former locomotive works carriage shop and engine shed which are now complemented with contemporary new buildings housing a wide range of vocational courses from engineering to catering and hair and beauty.
The awards cited the Roundhouse as a wonderful example of a regeneration solution combining the old and new with a span of 170 years and commended work done on the project.
Funding for the project has come from East Midlands Development Agency, Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development and the Learning and Skills Council. The development is also a flagship site in Derby Cityscape’s masterplan to bring £2 billion investment into Derby city centre.
Fifty four quality submissions across eight different Award categories for projects completed during 2009 were received and put through a rigorous analysis by 15 judges before the winner, high commended and commended selections were made for each category.
David Croll, Principal of Derby College said: “The Roundhouse is now an inspiring and vibrant centre of vocational excellence for more than 2,500 full and part time learners – equipping the workforce of today and the future with the skills they and employers need.
“The feedback from staff, students and visitors is that they are astounded by the restoration of the Roundhouse itself and how well the combination of old and new buildings sit together – providing a 21st century learning experience in a stimulating and dynamic environment.
“We are obviously delighted that the Roundhouse has been awarded this accolade so soon after it has opened.”
Ian Harris from maber architects said: "We are delighted that the vision, effort and hard work of everyone who has been involved in the latest chapter of The Roundhouse story has been recognised by these awards.
“The Constructing Excellence Awards are a great endorsement of the finished building but they also consider the way that the job was done. The constructive team approach, being on time and being on budget all contributed to the project's success in winning these awards. We are now looking forward to the national finals in November.
