Birmingham College Wins Best Public Building AwardJoseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College in Birmingham has won this year's Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.
The college's principal, Elly Tobin, says that never in their wildest dreams would the students have expected such a wonderful building.
"They have been given something special and they want to do well and give something back."
Nicholas Hare Architects have created a beautiful, protected and calm environment that belies its tough inner-city surroundings.
An imposing continuous curved façade fronts a busy roundabout, but a tree-lined entrance leads into a sequence of inner spaces, including a leafy courtyard and semi-circular garden with a pond, which leaves traffic and noise behind.
The impression throughout is of light and space, with glazed walls to the courtyards, double-height spaces and open plan breakout areas lit by atrium light wells.
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