A PIONEERING classroom project built by Yorkon, the York-based modular construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, has won the 2003 Building Sights Award.

Sponsored by CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) and the Arts Council England, the Building Sights award aims to improve public access to building sites and engage local communities in the construction process. The scheme was part of a high profile Government-funded initiative to create one of 12 new prototype Classrooms Of The Future, which push back the boundaries of construction technology, and design for teaching and learning.

The classrooms were manufactured off-site in York by Yorkon and craned into position at two schools in Telford - the Lord Silkin Secondary School and Wrockwardine Wood Junior School. Each classroom is a totally self-contained building, which incorporates groundbreaking technology and a range of innovations to create two highly-sustainable and energy-efficient learning centres.

As part of an ongoing programme of public involvement, pupils from both schools in Telford were taken to the Yorkon factory to see their classrooms being manufactured.

Turlogh O'Brien, chairman of the Construction Industry Council and chairman of the Building Sights judging panel, said: "We were particularly impressed by the quality of the feedback that the children had produced which clearly demonstrated that they had understood and been fascinated by the processes involved in the construction of their new classrooms."

"The children were encouraged to champion the schemes in their local communities and they were able to influence aspects of the final design."

Features of the Classrooms Of The Future include photoelectric cells to generate electricity, solar panels to provide hot water and "windcatchers" to naturally ventilate the classrooms.

Keith Blanshard, director and general manager of Yorkon, said he was "delighted" with the award.

"The Classroom of the Future initiative has successfully demonstrated how good design can be used to create really exciting education buildings with all the benefits of off-site construction," he said.

Updated: 11:43 Thursday, December 04, 2003