The Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) has been announced the winner of two RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) awards for the south-east region.
Built by Kier Construction for Brighton & Hove City Council, the new academy building scooped the Regional Sustainability Award in the RIBA South East Downland Awards, and the Regional Client of the Year Award.
BACA specialises in entrepreneurship and sport, and the state-of-the-art new building which opened its doors to students in September 2011, reflects these specialisms featuring top of the range facilities including fully-equipped dance and art studios, a sports hall, science laboratories, ICT suites and entrepreneurial pods - where students and members of the community can run their own businesses.
The building's extensive environmental features which saw it claiming the Sustainability Award for its region include a grass roof, solar panels and a grey water reclamation system. To encourage wildlife, a total of 22 bat boxes have been placed within the academy’s walls and 150 bird boxes were put in the trees behind the building.
Kier Construction worked closely with architects Feilden Clegg Bradley to create an innovative learning environment for its 1,150 students that draws inspiration from its surroundings. The judges commented: "This new academy has been designed as part of the landscape of the South Downs. The palette of materials is drawn from this landscape: flint, chalk and Anthracite bricks. The first floor has a system of full-height flush glazing creating a seamless smooth surface that contrasts with the textured ground floor."
(CD/GK)
Construction News
05/07/2012
It's A Double For BACA At Regional RIBA Awards

10/07/2025
Vistry Group has agreed two major deals with housing provider Abri to enable the delivery of almost 200 affordable homes across Hampshire, marking a significant step forward in addressing local housing needs.
In Funtley, near Fareham, Vistry has completed a simultaneous land acquisition and forward

10/07/2025
Caddick Construction has officially completed its first Midlands project with the handover of Mansion House, a six-storey residential development comprising 58 new apartments, to joint venture partners Urban Splash and Places for People.
Located on the 43-acre Port Loop island alongside Birmingham

10/07/2025
Lovell has broken ground on a new residential development in Port Sunlight, set to transform a long-vacant brownfield industrial site into a thriving community of 115 high-quality homes.
Located on Dock Road North, the development supports the local authority’s strategy to unlock underused land for

10/07/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction's Wales division has officially broken ground on a new state-of-the-art Additional Learning Needs (ALN) school in Clydach Vale, designed to be net zero carbon in operation.
Commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, the £37 million school will provide Engl

10/07/2025
HG Construction has announced a £1.2 million investment in Dumarey Green Power's 'Revolution Battery' technology, following successful trials earlier this year aimed at decarbonising crane and hoist operations across its UK sites.
The investment marks a significant step in HG Construction's drive t

10/07/2025
M Group has completed a major improvement project at Queenstown Road Station in south-west London, delivering long-awaited upgrades including a new rear entrance designed to ease access for daily commuters.
Undertaken on behalf of developer Taylor Wimpey, the project involved significant engineerin

10/07/2025
Helical has appointed McLaren Construction as the main contractor for the £90 million transformation of Brettenham House, an iconic Art Deco building on London's north bank, into a state-of-the-art sustainable office and retail hub.
Originally built in 1932 and located within the Savoy Conservation

10/07/2025
Tower Hamlets Council has completed 30 road resurfacing schemes across the borough over the past year, thanks to targeted investment and funding support from central government.
The improvements aim to deliver a more resilient road network, reduce disruption, and lower carbon emissions.
Part-fund

10/07/2025
Mace has been appointed by Pegasi to deliver the major transformation of Fresh Wharf, a prominent 1980s building located on the banks of the River Thames, into a cutting-edge, sustainability-driven workplace.
Situated just minutes from Tower Bridge, the 11-storey structure will be transformed to of

10/07/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction has celebrated a key milestone at Abbeywood Community School with a steel signing ceremony marking the final structural installation of the school's new extension – completed ahead of schedule.
Held on 27 June, the event brought together representatives from South Glouce