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Print articleThe team clinched the gold award trophy in the schools section of this year's Green Apple Awards for the Built Environment for Red Hill CE Primary School, off Midhurst Close.
The recently-completed school - which was officially opened by Climate Change and Environment Minister, Ian Pearson, on June 18 ? was designed by Property Services' in house-team of architects and engineers.
It is packed with environmental features, including a ground source heating system that heats the building and provides hot water by drawing heat from 33 boreholes 100 metres deep under the car park. Rainwater from half of the roof is recycled to flush the toilets and the other rain falling on the site is channelled on site into swales and ponds to provide habitats and study areas, as well as to prevent flooding.
And materials for the building were carefully selected to include local bricks, timber from sustainable sources and materials of a high-recycled content.
Robert Lewin-Jones, the County Council's Principal Architect, who received the award from Professor David Bellamy at a special awards ceremony in London on June 11, said:
?We're delighted to have won this award, which has been given in recognition of the design of the school and the way it integrates a range of environment-friendly features and makes them part of the overall learning experience.
?The school has been really well received by pupils and staff and the Climate Change Minister, who told us it was the best school of its kind he has seen so far.?
Worcestershire County Council invited the primary school pupils to County Hall last week to officially celebrate the well-deserved Green Apple Award won by the school's environmentally-friendly new building.
Cllr John Smith, Chairman of the County Council, said:
?It was great to see both the pupils from the school and Robert Lewin-Jones in the chamber for Full Council. Robert's been responsible for the excellent design and building work at the school. Councillors wanted to thank all those involved for the dedication and commitment that went into this worthwhile project.?
Work on creating the ?2.9million school started in January last year. Pupils and staff moved into the building just after the Easter break in April this year.
The awards are run by The Green Organisation, an independent environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.
The Built Environment category was launched in 2000 and has since become recognised as a prestigious title and one of the major awards that recognises and rewards environmental endeavour in the public sector throughout the country.
