The recently completed Royal Shakespeare Theatre project in Stratford upon Avon has won a prestigious RIBA Award 2011.

The judges thought the architects’ overall planning is thoughtful and cohesive. This is best shown in the formation of the new lobby, the arrangements for delivery of sets to the stage, the opening up of the path to the riverside and finally the new tower that works both as marker and viewing platform scheme in which the external spaces provide the continuity that builds together a number of disparate buildings. The choice of materials is sound and the attention to detail is impressive.

Designed by Bennetts Associates the scheme uses a bespoke blend of Saxon Red Multi, Wessex Mixture and Smooth Forest Royal bricks.

For further information on this building please visit:

Bennetts Associates

New Royal Shakespeare Theatre project

‘Sensational Clay’ is an exhibition of ceramics to stimulate the senses by Hereford based potter Jon Williams.

The exhibition opens at the Bilston Craft Gallery on Saturday 9 July with fun for all the family to enjoy. “The works have all been inspired by the five senses, and all have a secret to discover, from tiny hand-held items to huge one-metre wide pots! Explore the pieces to find out more – lift lids to discover hidden treasures, shake the musical pots to make some noise or try to guess the smell coming from the scented vessels!”

Coleford Brick & Tile have been fortunate to lend a hand to jon during the production of some of the pieces. “Its been very interesting watching Jon work on the large pots, using our clay in a very different way to our throwers! Its unusual seeing the pots alongside bricks in the kilns but I’m happy to report the firings were succesful.” Huw Gilson Director.

Admission to the exhibition is free, with further activities for all the family, including workshops with the artist Jon Williams. For more information please contact:

Bilston Craft Gallery

Corfield Court, part of the St John’s College triangle site, has won the prestigious Best Outdoor Space award at the 2010 BDA brick awards. Part of the £9m comprehensive redevelopment plan the design creates a series of linked college gardens at this historic and prominent site.

The judges thought this outstanding scheme in which the external spaces provide the continuity that builds together a number of disparate buildings. The choice of materials is sound and the attention to detail is impressive.

Designed by Van Heyningen and Haward Architects and constructed by Elmswell contractors the scheme uses Gloucester Grey handmade pavers.

For further information on this building please visit:

VHH Architects

Elmswell Contractors

The £13m Sevenoaks School Performing Arts Centre has won the prestigious Best Education Building BDA 2010 award. The first part of a major plan for the school site was completed in April 2010 and celebrated its completion with an inaugural concert.

The judges found this to be a delightful building. It uses brick externally, internally and as paving. The building exploits the topography of the site and therefore creates a number of external spaces and internal volumes that combine to make a satisfying composition.

Designed by Tim Ronalds Architects and constructed by Skillbray the building uses Gloucester Grey handmade bricks and Gloucester Grey handmade pavers.

For further information on this building please visit:

Tim Ronalds Architects

Coleford Brick & Tile projects nominated in 7 of the 14 categories of the 2010 BDA brick awards.

Categories containing Coleford products.

• BEST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 1 – 5 UNITS: College Rd, London.
• BEST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 6 – 25 UNITS: Berwick St, London.
• SPECIALIST BRICKWORK CONTRACTOR: Cross Harbour, London.
• BEST CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD: College Rd, London.
• BEST EDUCATION BUILDING: Sevenoaks School Performing Arts.
• BEST REFURBISHMENT & RENOVATION: Corfield Court, Cambridge.
• BEST OUTDOOR SPACE: Corfield Court, Cambridge.

For further information on the above projects please visit the BDA website:

Brick Development Association

Part of the long term Master-plan for the Selwyn College site, Phase 2 was recently completed during 2009. Utilising 150,000 Saxon Multi handmade bricks, the new accommodation block is linked to the 2005 phase 1 administration block.

Designed by Porphyrios Associates the new Ann’s Court building forms part of a 5 phase vision for Selwyn College, once complete, it will create two new courts inside the college grounds. The remaining phases being the library, further accommodation and finally the auditorium.

For further information on the new buildings at Selwyn please visit:

Porphyrios Associates

Selwyn College

The Gillespie Centre, Clare College’s newest addition to the memorial site, has been awarded an RIBA award by the Royal Institute of British Architects as one of the best 100 buildings produced in 2009.

Designed by north London based Van Heyningen and Haward Architects, the new 6.3 million courtyard completed in early 2009 has fought off stiff competition to win the prestigious award. A combination of Coleford Grey handmade bricks (70% Vauxhall Grey and 30% Gloucester Grey blend), and Cedar timber cladding, combine to give the finished buildings a clean uncluttered appearance.

The new conference facilities opened officially by The Duke of Edinburgh, received the RIBA award for its ‘high architectural standards and for making a substantial contribution to the environment’. Built over three floors the state-of-the-art conference facilities have been built to the highest standards of sustainability, using solar panels and a Ground Source Heat Pump for efficient heating and cooling.

For further information on the new Clare College building please visit:

VHH Architects

Clare College

A stunning new build situated in a sensitive conservation area in South London, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary detailing.

Designed by Knox Bhavan Architects and constructed by R. Durtnell & Sons the building uses Cotswold Buff handmade bricks and several bespoke specials. The curved surfaces of the building were created using a header bond with the accent panels produced using a special saddleback brick with a stop-end version to finish the edges of each section.

For further information on this individual property please visit:

Knox Bhavan Architects

Durtnell & Sons Ltd

The transformation of the existing 1932 Royal Shakespeare Theatre started for Coleford Brick & Tile in 2007. Many samples later the first new bricks and specials were being thrown in August 2008 with the first deliveries to site in January 2009. Over 168,000 bricks and 14,000 specials were hand thrown for the theatre, which is due for completion in 2010.

The focus of the transformation of the already iconic theatrical site was to improve the public spaces both inside and surrounding the theatre. A new 1,000 seat auditorium designed to improve the audience experience and the addition of a theatre tower with viewing platform are just some of the many features of the new design.

For Further information on the RSC transformation please visit:

Bennetts Associates

Royal Shakespeare Theatre