Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, Birmingham Education Building, Photo, FE Design
Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College Birmingham
Education Development in Birmingham, England – design by Nicholas Hare Architects
11 Jun 2009
Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College
Design: Nicholas Hare Architects
Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College
Congratulating all those involved, the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, said the award was all about how creative design and high-quality construction lead to better public services. ‘Students, teachers and all those working and living around the college can take great pride in this first-class building. I am sure it will inspire all who use it and make a real difference to the community.’
The beautiful, protected and calm environment created by Nicholas Hare Architects belies its tough inner-city environment. The college’s principal, Elly Tobin, believes that never in their wildest dreams would the students have expected such a wonderful building. ‘It makes them feel proud and good about themselves. It gives them a sense of their place in the community and a sense of responsibility. They have been given something special and they want to do well and give something back.’
Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award Finalist 2009
Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College (JCC) is a flexible new-build college, on a prominent inner-city site next to a busy roundabout.
Its students come from one of the most deprived areas of the country. The new college deliberately evokes the architecture of Oxford and Cambridge. The buildings surround courtyards, giving calm, protected spaces. A tree-lined entrance boulevard leads from the noisy street, and acts as access to the square court, a focus for social activities. The final space in the sequence is a semi-circular garden, enclosed by the academic areas.
The new buildings provide a rich learning environment. Natural light is maximised throughout. External, road-facing elevations are made from buff stock brick, while inner courtyard-facing walls are lighter, either fully glazed or rendered in white, to reflect light.
The college has also extended the range of facilities open to the local community.
The college principal said: ‘It has been a joy to watch the response of our students, speechless for once.’
Judges’ comment
“This sixth-form college serving inner-city Birmingham has high-quality landscaped courtyards and a quality of construction to match.”
Address: Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham, West Midlands B12 9FF
Contact Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College: 0121 440 4288
Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College – Building Information
Client: Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College
Principal designer: Nicholas Hare Architects
Principal engineer: BDP
Principal contractor: BAM Construction Midlands Ltd
Contract value: £28 million
Location: Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham, B12 9FF, England, UK
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