The Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology has been commended at the RIBA Journal MacEwen Awards 2021.
The MacEwan Awards celebrate architecture for the common good, focusing on projects which demonstrate a wide social benefit.
The Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology is a 3,700m2 education facility specialising in providing skills for industry sectors facing skills shortages such as engineering, construction and digital technologies. The scheme is the third in the UK to be delivered under the IPI contract, a collaborative working contract where all decisions are made on a ‘best for project’ basis.
The project was commended for its use of an experimental insurance model to help the design and construction team pull together to create a sustainable and inexpensive vocational college.
Belinda Morgan, Project Partner commented, “From start to finish this project has been different to anything that I and the team have worked on before. During the procurement phase, we took part in behavioural workshops to ensure the design team was aligned with the principles of the IPI model. As a result of true collaboration, we’ve ended up with an incredible project.
We faced various challenges such as logistical restrictions impacted by Covid-19 and cost implications as a result of Brexit. However, we came together to deliver this impressive building which will help build the careers of the next generation of STEM students.”
Judge Kathy MacEwen commented, “This project is important for what it is providing, the approach taken to its design and build, and its scale. It is a big intervention. If all sheds looked like this, I would be happy. The process they adopted ensures its quality, they chose to go down a route that did not reduce the quality of the building right to the end – that decision is one of the ideals of what we are trying to achieve with the MacEwen award. The more I look at it the more I like it.”
Eleanor Young, acting editor of RIBA Journal and chair judge of MacEwan Awards 2021, provided an in depth look at the project and its impact on the local community in her article ‘Black Country’s shiny new route to work commended in MacEwen Award.’
