The University's landmark Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall has won a top architectural award.

The judges of the national Civic Trust Awards described the stainless steel clad building as 'elegant and simple', and the lecture theatre spaces as 'well-designed'.

The Lecture Hall, which opened in 2006, was one of 30 winners selected from over 400 entries in the 49th annual awards, which recognise projects that make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment.

The awards were announced in Newcastle on 12 March, less than a month after Prince Charles, who is Patron of the Civic Trust, described the building as looking like a dustbin. The Prince made his remark to an audience of soldiers and their families during a visit to the Colchester Campus.

The judges said: 'The highly-polished stainless steel cladding reflects existing mature trees and passing people, giving a lively people-centred feel to the area.

'The two entrances at different levels make use of the sloping landscape and the bridge links the centre of the campus to the new lecture hall.'

The judges spoke of the building's flexibility, and concluded: 'Elegant and simple, this lozenge-shaped building provides a focal point for the university campus.'