Bristol’s Colston Girls' School has been named among the winners of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South West Excellence in Architecture Awards 2012.
The school has undergone a major refurbishment and construction programme since converting from a selective, independent school to became a State-funded academy in 2008.
London-based architects Walers and Cohen focussed on re-organising spaces and routes, dealing with the many site and programme difficulties.
The confident new building cleverly wraps around existing buildings creating a coherent collection of spaces.
A RIBA spokesman said: "A new theatre opening onto the street encourages public access; the brick façade reflects patterns and tones from the original building; recycled teak lab benches are used in the public spaces.
"This is successful, unpretentious architecture, which has restored a school's sense of its status in the local community."
The school, which has more than 700 pupils, is developing two further properties.
