Our School has made it onto the final shortlist for the Sheffield Design Awards...
The judges were marking the building for the qualities below:
Does the project make a positive contribution to the public realm?
How does it affect people's lives and does it participate in the life of this city?
Does the accommodation meet the requirements of its occupants?
Is the building's structure, whole-life cost, flexibility, adaptability and sustainability satisfactory?
Does the building please aesthetically? Is it beautiful? Will it be cherished by the community?
Does it use materials and energy wisely and responsibly?
Where appropriate, does the project take advantage of opportunities to innovate?

We have to wait until the awards night in February to find out the results...we don't know how we'll be able to wait that long!

HOORAY
!!!CIVIC BUILDING OF THE YEAR!!!

Table 8 was lucky for us!

We got to sit in the middle of everyone. You can see Ian (SD & PM Project Management & Engineering Practice Manager) and Cath (Architect) behind us.

We had a chat with David who was in charge of the judging panel and who liked our school very much...he was telling Lynne & Evelyn all about what they said after the visits.

ANOTHER AWARD!!!

We were kindly invited to the Presidential Dinner of SCALA (Society of Chief Architects of Local Authorities)

(1) Waverley Court for the City of Edinburgh Council
(2) Sharrow Primary School for Sheffield City Council
(3) The Kenrick Centre for Birmingham City Council
(4) Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre for Wiltshire CC
(5) Nottingham Old Market Square for Nottingham City Council
(6) Pinewood Infant School for Hampshire County Council
(7) Manchester Civil Justice Centre for Dept. of Constitutional Affairs
(8) Short Wood Primary School for Telford & Wrekin Council
(9) The Tiled Hall & Library for Leeds City Council

We knew we were one of 3 finalists when the judges made a second visit to Sharrow School.
Alongside Pinewood Infant School by Hampshire County Architects http://www.hants.gov.uk/architecture/pinewood.html

The Manchester Civil Justice Centre by architects Denton Corker Marshall, £113million
http://www.mottmac.com/projects/?imageId=30081&id=30075

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID...
about the building

Although shortlisted initially for a sustainability award, the experience of visiting Sharrow School, witnessing the building in use and hearing the testimonials of the staff inspired the judges to think beyond considerations of green credentials.

The building is a success born of the close collaboration of a committed and determined client and an equally determined architect. Whilst the architectural language was not to everybody’s taste, it was clear to all the judges that the real achievement of the building lay in its ability to provide a safe, stimulating and at times delightful environment for its young users. Lots of natural light, intimate outdoor areas, bio-diverse roof gardens and a simple well organized plan contribute to this positive environment.

This school is a triumph of the specific over the generic. An inspired Headteacher and her team have been able to bend some of the rules to create tailored teaching environments. These allowing the implementation of teaching practices developed by the Head intended to meet the particular needs of the school community, both pupils and staff. Furthermore, the school has benefited the wider community through its enhancement of the surrounding environment, in particular in relation to the adjacent park area.

Last and not least, the school makes laudable inroads into the sustainability agenda. Ground source heat pumps, underfloor heating, bio-diverse green roofs and rainwater harvesting serve to reduce environmental impact and promote a local ecology whilst providing an educational resource for the young pupils.

...about the landscape

The role of the landscape architect in the project was acknowledged by the judges. The collaboration between architect, landscape architect and artist has resulted in a building which connects exceptionally well both physically and visually with its surroundings. Rather than an afterthought, the setting of the building was considered integral to the design and contributes successfully to the scheme as a whole. The integration of green roof technology was applauded by the judges.