Creative Arts Building wins Civic Trust Award

The Creative Arts Building for City College Norwich has won a Civic Trust Award. The awards, which were announced on 7 March in Blackpool, are given to projects of the highest quality design, but only if they are judged to have made a positive cultural, social or economic contribution to the local community. 39 buildings were given the top award this year out of 238 entries.

The £4.5m ‘Big House for the Arts’ opened in September 2013 and supports the college’s strategic agenda to deliver outstanding provision. Two extruded black timber clad forms are set on the edge of a tree lined south facing garden. There are three purpose built floors for performing arts rehearsal spaces, digital arts and traditional art and design.  The building has a strong and pure architectural form, aesthetically drawn from the ancient black timber barns within Norwich city centre.

The building has been very well received by the college. Ray Goodman, programme manager of creative and business industries, said: “We now have a fantastic new house and home for all of the creative arts which has enabled us to bring together students from many disciplines; and for them to work collaboratively within a professional space.  The bold design demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that talented regional creatives have the best possible opportunity to develop their skills and become a part of the creative sector boom.”