| Dundee’s rebuilt Morgan Academy, which was ravaged by fire four years ago, has won a clutch of national awards for the way it has been raised from the ashes, writes Brian Allison, local government reporter.
But the most recent accolade is perhaps all the more satisfying because it comes from a local organisation and represents the views of people based in Dundee who see the revitalised building on a regular basis.
Dundee Civic Trust chairman Jack Searle was moved to write to Lord Provost John Letford congratulating the city council on its “exceptional commitment” to the rebuilding of Morgan Academy.
Mr Letford was unable to pass on the congratulations personally at the latest meeting of the full council as he was fulfilling an engagement in his capacity as Lord Lieutenant of Dundee during a visit to the city by the Princess Royal.
However, Depute Lord Provost Charles Farquhar said he was pleased to be able to inform the council of the trust’s comments. He said Mr Searle had asked that the trust’s appreciation be conveyed to all members of the council for their “wisdom and vision” in the creative rebuilding of the school.
That accolade came hard on the heels of an award from the Institute of Maintenance and Building Management praising the council’s decision to restore rather than demolish the Morgan, given its cultural and architectural significance.
Earlier this year the new school was named as the best example of building conservation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland.
Shortly before that the reconstruction project received the only Green Apple Gold Award for the Built Environment in the Scottish category.
It also secured a National Heritage Champion award, one of only four projects in Britain to be so honoured. |
