Principal Architect on the Project for Knox & Clayton Alison Brown said: "These awards were the result of a positive working relationship between the original design team, the construction phase project team, and a forward thinking client.

"The final building and landscape design provide a learning resource that can be used to facilitate the development of environmental issues within the school curriculum.

"We hope that it will inspire the building users and continue to influence others in achieving the goal of high quality sustainable development in Northern Ireland."

Lawrence Power, a partner and leader of the education team at Knox & Clayton added: "We are naturally delighted to have played a part in creating such a unique and sustainable college building and are pleased to have won the special award by the main sponsors Wood NI."

Trevor Leaker, Architectural Technical Director within Scott Wilson explained the extensive use of wood which has given the building its distinctive architectural quality: "We had been looking at the use of timber in building generally because it is a very sustainable material.

"As the College is sited in a conservation area with a very mature woodland setting, in particular a magnificent stand of mature Scots Pine on the west elevation, our principal architect on the project Keith Loghart thought it seemed very appropriate to use it in this scheme.

"Western Red Cedar which is self finished was used for the cladding and also to create louvres to provide solar shading to the main teaching areas.

"The Orchard Building proves that highly sustainable buildings can also exhibit the highest standards in architectural design and we are delighted this was recognised with these awards."

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