A £28million school building has been named the South East's top piece of new architecture at a prestigious awards.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South East Awards named The Malthouse at the King's School in Canterbury as the top design for London-based Tim Ronalds Architects.

It saw the conversion of a Victorian building into the independent school's new drama centre featuring a 334-seater theatre, dance studios and bar and reception area.

It also took hope the RIBA South East Conservation Award.

The annual awards showcase the best designs with regional winners going on to battle it out for national glory.

It had been a long wait for those shortlisted after having originally been announced last year. However, the pandemic delayed the judging process for 12 months.

Other winners in the county this year included:

The King’s School in Canterbury for its International College by Walters & Cohen Architects

The Fitted Rigging House in Chatham, by Baynes and Mitchell Architects (which also won the RIBA South East Sustainability and Client of the Year awards)

The Barton Science Centre, at Tonbridge School by BDP

Walmer Castle and Gardens' Learning Centre, by Adam Richards Architects, and

Bumpers Oast, near Marden by ACME

The 13 projects were selected by an expert jury, who visited all 19 short-listed projects across Kent, Surrey East and West Sussex.

Regional jury chair, Derek Rankin, said of this year’s winners: “Winners of this year’s RIBA South East Awards range from extending a small cottage for children with muscular dystrophy, to repurposing a scheduled monument in Chatham Historic Dockyard.

“Amongst these, sensitivity to the regional historic context, highly imaginative reuse of existing buildings, as well as projects delivering exceptional and engaging teaching and social care spaces are particularly prominent.

“The extra year prior to jury visits, due to Covid-19, gave us the opportunity to gain a much deeper understanding of just how well the buildings are performing.

“The winning projects clearly enrich the lives of the occupants, exceed expectations and are a testament to the collaboration between architect and client.”

The regional winners will now compete for a RIBA National Award - due to be announced on September 9.

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent