IT MAY be a load of old rubbish to some – but a new recycling centre has won praise for its innovative design.

Bridport’s new recycling centre is one of three Dorset projects to win an architectural award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

It was described by judges as “robust, confident and cohesive”.

The judges also agreed with the architect that it was “big heroic architecture”.

The other local awards went to two new buildings at Arts University Bournemouth’s Wallisdown campus – the Drawing Studio by Cook Robotham Architectural Bureau Ltd and the Student Services Building by Design Engine Architects.

The Bridport household recycling centre was designed by Mitchel Eley Gould Architects.

Chairman of the jury Keith Brownlie of Brownlie Ernst & Marks Architects said the Bridport centre, was arguably visited more often by more people than any other public

buildings in the town.

Mr Brownlie said: “The building is not fine, complex, or gratuitous but robust, confident and cohesive, founded on functional planning rigor that follows through to the detail of a very hardworking facility.

“At the jury visit the architect made mention of ‘big heroic architecture’ and the jury could not but agree.”

RIBA South West Awards

recognise examples of innovative and outstanding new architecture within the region.

From a shortlist of 16, and 49 initial entries, the 10 award-winning 2016 projects spread from Cornwall to Gloucestershire to Dorset.

RIBA South West Award winners will also be considered for a RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, which are announced on June 23.

RIBA South West regional director Jon Watkins said: “RIBA Awards always bring out the best in local and national architects across Dorset and the wider south west, and

this year’s award-winning projects offer quality, diversity of type and scale, excellence in design, and lots and lots of pure delight.”