Milton of Leys Primary School wins top award

The new Milton of Leys Primary School in Inverness has won the prize for best new building in the Central Region of the Highlands and Islands Architecture and Design Awards.

Designed by architects in The Highland Council, the school was built by Morrison Construction and opened in August 2011.

The success has been warmly welcomed by the Council as well as staff and pupils at the school, who are thrilled with their new school.

Steve Barron, Depute Chief Executive and Director of Housing and Property, said: “It is great news that the school has won such a prestigious award and my congratulations go to everyone involved in this project. The judges were so impressed with the enthusiasm for the building expressed by staff, from the receptionist when they arrived to the teachers they met while looking around the building, but particularly the Head Teacher, Robert Quigley,  who  impressed them with his approach to learning and the ethos that he's nurtured in the school. “

The winner in the New Life for Old Buildings category was a housing development at the Old School Court in Drumnadrochit, designed by David Somerville Architects for Albyn Housing Society.  Bogbain Mill at Loch Ussie near Contin by Rural Design received a commendation in the same category.

The regional winners were announced last night at a ceremony at the Archive Centre in Inverness – a previous recipient of an award for Best New Building.

The public will now have the chance to see the shortlisted buildings for themselves at a public exhibition at the Eastgate Centre on 31st August and 1st September.  And according to the Chairman of the judging panel John Duncan, Chairman of the Highland Building Preservation Trust, this will be a chance to see what was an outstanding range of entries.  He said: “

Architects will be on hand at the exhibition to offer advice to the public about all aspects of house design from building a new house to adding a small extension to an existing property.

Four new buildings in total were shortlisted, with a further four in the New Life for Old Buildings category, demonstrating the quality of the entries. An old school, a former church and old mill building have all been converted into new homes.

The Highlands and Islands Design Awards have been held every two years since 2008.  The awards aim to raise awareness of the importance of good design and architecture.

They are organised by Inverness Architectural Association – the chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects that covers the Highlands and Islands – and feature a range of categories, including prizes for best new building, best restoration and best use of timber.

The shortlisted entries for the Central region were:

New Building – Milton of Leys Primary School by Highland Council
New Building – Norbu at Gorthleck by Neil Sutherland Architects
New Building – Expo House by David Somerville Architects
New Building – Expo House, Secret Garden by Rural Design
New Life for Old Buildings – Bogbain Mill at Contin by Rural Design
New Life for Old Buildings – Kirk House at Garve by Dualchas
New Life for Old Buildings – Old School Court, Drumnadrochit by David Somerville
New Life for Old Buildings – Shewglie House, Drumnadrochit by Anta
 
There are six regions covering a vast area from Shetland to Lochaber, from the Western Isles to Moray. Shortlisted entries for the regional awards are showcased at local exhibitions throughout the summer.  Regional winners then go forward to the main Highlands and Islands awards to be held on Friday 9 November.

 

 

 

30 Aug 2012