Success for council architects at design awards

Highland Council architects who designed the Milton of Leys Primary School in Inverness have taken top prize in the Inverness Architectural Association Design Awards.

As well as winning the New Best Build category, the team were joint winners of the open award for the best building in the Highlands and Islands.

Milton of Leys sPrimary School, designed in-house and built by Morrison Construction, opened in August 2011.

Congratulating the team on their success, Chairman of the Council’s Adult and Children’s Services Committee, Councillor Alasdair Christie said: “This really is a great achievement.  It reflects the top quality designs for new schools that our architects are creating. Milton of Leys Primary certainly is special. Not only does the school look great but the internal layout, the use of natural light and the ease of access from classrooms to outdoor areas all make for an inspiring setting to learn in.  The architects have an ability to bring all the elements of a school together in such a way that as soon as you enter you get a sense of the building reflecting the high standard of teaching. Every time I visit the school I hear from pupils and members of staff just how much they enjoy the environment which is now integral to the whole ethos of the school.”

The Council’s architects have also designed Ben Wyvis, the new primary school at Conon Bridge and Aviemore Primary which both recently opened.

Chairman of the Finance, Housing and Resources Committee, Councillor David Fallows paid credit to the staff for their award winning work.  He said: “Our architects are paving the way when it comes to designing new schools fit for the 21st century.  Winning the award means a lot as it is the industry and their peers who are recognising the high quality of work being undertaken. To have the capacity in-house to produce such work is a real bonus for the council and their vision is creating a new era for education in the Highlands.  Most importantly though is the feedback from pupils, parents and staff so it is very gratifying to hear they have settled in so well.  I am sure the school will act as an inspiration and will enable pupils to flourish and grow for many years to come.”