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.

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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)