Scott Brownrigg’s design for Great Western Academy in Swindon has won Best Education Building at this year’s West of England Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards. This is awarded for building design excellence and the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship.

The innovative design deconstructed the standard Superblock design principles in order to address the common issues associated with it by eliminating long corridors and creating a genuine community heart to the school whilst maintaining principles that drive value into the school design. Constructed by BAM Construction, the school opened in September 2018 to Year 7 students, it will open its Sixth Form in September 2019.

“We are delighted that the new Great Western Academy school has been recognised at the LABC awards, its success reflects the strong collaboration with the client to develop a scheme that we are all immensely proud of.”

Jon James, Director

“The Great Western Academy building is visually striking both inside and out, and has been designed to maximise teaching and learning opportunities. It provides a light and vibrant environment in which our students will be able to thrive, making the very most of specialist areas.

The excellent design means that many parts of the building can easily be made available for use by the community, meaning that it can help benefit all those living locally.”

Graham Davies , Great Western Academy Principal

The awards celebrate achievements in the building industry and reward excellent buildings, outstanding companies, partnerships and individuals that go the extra mile. The regional awards ceremony was held on Friday 12 July 2019 in Bristol; GWA now progresses to the national awards, due to be held in London on 8 November.