Our College Campus wins The Prime Minister’s Award

Joseph Chamberlain College has gained a major accolade after being judged this year's best public building in the country. The honour - announced by culture secretary Ben Bradshaw - came with a tribute from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Prime Minister congratulated all those involved in the college's design and construction, adding that: "Students, teachers and all those working and living around the college can take great pride in this first-class building." He added: "This award is all about how creative design and high-quality construction lead to better public services. Joseph Chamberlain College is an excellent example. I am sure it will inspire all who use it and make a real difference to the community."

The college exterior has a continuous curved façade with a tree-lined entrance leading from the road. A sequence of inner spaces includes a leafy courtyard and garden. Its design is based on that of an Oxford or Cambridge college where students and staff work together, enclosed in a tranquil quadrangle and garden setting.

We are absolutely delighted that Joseph Chamberlain students have this amazing campus in which to work - a building that has now been officially recognised as this year's best new public building in the United Kingdom.

The photo below shows staff and students from the College, together with the design team, at 10 Downing Street for a reception with the Prime Minister at which he congratulated everyone involved in the design of the College's new campus.