Congratulations to JCB Academy, overall winner in the 2011 Southern Staffordshire Design Awards organised by the Southern Staffordshire Partnership. 

Presenting the award to the new school in Rocester and its architects LHC, Carl Holloway of Holloway Foo Architects, a member of the judging panel and winner of the last awards, said: “This scheme is a well crafted proposal on every level. It is a tasteful conversion of a historic building, with complementary new build additions. It harnesses exemplar sustainable design features, and culminates in an inspiring and ever changing sequence of internal and external spaces… every space, detail and setting creates a first class tone. This brings the building together as one coherent and considered proposal.“

There were four highly commended schemes:

Crown Estates and their architects Watson, Bertram, Fell for their development at Burnhill Green consisting of 10 new homes integrated into a historic hamlet.

The Compassus Centre at St Giles Hospice by architects KKE.

Norton Canes Community Library by Staffordshire County Council Design Consultancy.

The restoration of Chillington Hall led by architects Horsely Huber in partnership with skilled craftsmen from Miller Roofing and Master Joiner Adrian Evan

Cannock based architects SP Faizey were also commended for their work on the Walsall Waterfront development.

Finally a special award was given to David Burton-Pye who recently retired from South Staffordshire Council for his contribution to partnership working in the Southern Staffs area.