Member Article

Yarm School's performing arts centre wins 'Oscar'

Yarm School’s new performing arts centre has won two awards at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) North East awards, which have become known as the ‘Oscars of the architectural profession.’

The Princess Alexandra Auditorium has won the RIBA NE Award 2013 and Client of the Year Award at the RIBA North East Awards, which celebrate the best in architecture and the design of the built environment.

Yarm School Headmaster David Dunn said: “We are delighted to win this prestigious award for the Princess Alexandra Auditorium. Everyone associated with the school is ecstatic and credit must go to Associated Architects and our design team, who worked very hard on making the facility so flexible and impressive, as well as sustainable.

“It has been an exciting year for Yarm School from the opening of the auditorium by HRH Princess Alexandra to the many successes such as former pupil, Kat Copeland’s Olympic Gold and our rugby team’s victory at Twickenham. The RIBA award is the icing on the cake.”

The Princess Alexandra Auditorium, which opened last year, hosts a wide range of school and community performing arts productions. The 800-seat auditorium will host world renowned organist, David Briggs and noted landscape photographer, Joe Cornish, this autumn.

Adam Wardle, Director of Associated Architects, said: “Associated Architects was asked to deliver a master-plan for the whole site, the aim being to upgrade and expand the facilities. At the heart of the project was the performance hall, an 800 capacity auditorium, complete with a flexible studio theatre, a music performance suite and a dedicated dance studio.

“This has provided state of the art facilities for music, drama, dance as well as a fantastic space for pupil performances. There is a large glassed foyer space with an external terrace overlooking the River Tees. Work on the whole site was phased over four years, allowing pupils and staff to carry on without their lives being disrupted by the construction works.”

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton Council, said: “Inspirational learning environments like the Princess Alexandra Auditorium help to bring out the best in pupils and teachers alike.

“It is clear that Yarm School aimed high when initiating this spectacular project and that ambition has been recognised by RIBA. These prestigious awards are richly-deserved and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved.”

Regional winners are now being considered for the highly-coveted National RIBA Sterling Award in recognition of their architectural excellence on a national platform.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .