The Learning and Skills Council (LSC), in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), has announced Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham and Usworth Sixth Form College, Sunderland, as the joint winners of the prestigious Further Education Design Excellence Awards 2008.

The awards celebrate design excellence in the Further Education (FE) sector and entries were judged on their innovation, excellence, sustainability, adaptability and 'feel good' factor.

The winning architects - Bond Bryan Architects for Matthew Boulton College and Dewjo'c Architects for Unsworth Sixth Form College - were presented with a cheque for £5,000 each by John Taylor, LSC National Council Member and Jack Pringle, a former president of RIBA.

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The judges praised Matthew Boulton College for creating an inspiring learning environment with excellent use of space. Usworth Sixth Form College was singled out for its bold design and its focus on sustainability that had created a welcoming place to learn.

The awards ceremony took place at the RIBA & LSC Innovation by Design Conference. The event provided those leading capital projects with the opportunity to consider how the current investment will ensure high quality colleges for the future and speakers included Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State, Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education who delivered the keynote address.

Last month, John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills announced a £2.3bn strategy, 'Building Colleges for the Future', to continue to renew and modernise the FE Estate and ensure the world-class education and facilities for all.

Over 150 colleges throughout England are set to benefit from the investment.

(JM)