RIBA Award for Cardiff and Vale College

Cardiff and Vale College has won a Royal Society of Architects in Wales Award. The announcement was made on 27 April and means the scheme now goes forward for the RIBA National Awards which will be announced in June.

The judges praised the building for successfully bringing together a wide range of activities into one city centre site, right in the heart of the community. They commented: “it is a legible building and a fine and creative response to a complex brief, achieving excellent value for the client and quality of space and environment for the staff and students.”

The landmark £45m building in the heart of the Welsh capital features 130 teaching rooms including specialist labs, workshops, IT studios and two vast learning and skills centres. It was opened in October 2015 by First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones and Minister for Education and Skills Huw Lewis.

Its distinctive wedge shape connects the interior spaces to south facing terraces with views towards Cardiff Bay. The oversailing roof is angled to accommodate a 1,850 sqm photovoltaic array and the fine dining sky restaurant is located under the northernmost tip with views across the city towards the Millennium Stadium.