Architectural award for 'dustbin'

A lecture hall which The Prince of Wales likened to a dustbin has won an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The University of Essex's Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall in Colchester was one of eight projects in the East of England to win the regional 2008 RIBA award.

The £46.4m "super school" - the Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough received a RIBA award.

The refurbished Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, also won an award.

RIBA Award winners and their architects are:

Louise Todd, Regional Director, RIBA East said: "These schemes demonstrate high quality architecture and innovative design approaches with both new and historic buildings.

'Throwaway remark'

"All eight RIBA Award winners will go forward for consideration for the RIBA National Awards which are judged and presented nationally by building type."

Prince Charles criticised it while addressing troops from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute regiment in February.

"I understand around 1,700 of you are crammed in what looks like a dustbin from the outside," he said, prompting applause from the audience.

A spokeswoman for the university laughed off the prince's comment, calling it a "throwaway remark".