Knox & Clayton Scoops its Fourth Major Award  JULY 29 2008

Knox & Clayton has just scooped its fourth major award in as many months for the distinctive design of a new college campus. The company picked up the External Finish Award for its work on the Orchard Building at Stranmillis University College in the prestigious annual Design and Build Showcase Awards ceremony staged in Belfast in June.

The high standard of work by the firm was recognised in five categories for which a number of its major projects were short listed. These included a very unique head office for leading local concrete and stone supplier Norman Emerson & Sons and a modern new primary school in Enniskillen.

Knox & Clayton were pleased to work with Belfast-based Scott Wilson Architects on the multi-award winning Orchard Building project. Commenting on this latest accolade, senior partner, Ernie Knox said: "To be finalists in five categories and winners of one of the top awards was very satisfying for the practice and a tremendous recognition of our emphasis on design."

The Showcase Awards, sponsored by Specify magazine, were attended by leading figures in the construction industry across Northern Ireland. Just last month the Orchard Building picked up the Wood NI Award, plus a commendation in the “Over £3million” category in the prestigious 2008, Royal Society of Ulster Architects Design Awards.

A few weeks earlier the scheme received the first ever Sustainable Planning Award in Northern Ireland in a competition organised by the Royal Town Planning Institute NI branch and the RSPB.

The multi-award winning Orchard Building is now regarded as a model and educational tool for other schools and colleges in how sustainable technologies can be used effectively to benefit the environment.

LEFT: Showcase Awards sponsor Tommy Anderson, Managing Director of Lagan Valley Steel presents the External Finish Award to architect Alison Brown of Knox & Clayton Architects in Lisburn. Also pictured are senior partner at Knox & Clayton Des Clayton and compare for the night Emma Louise Johnston.