UWE Bristol’s Digital Media Studios has been named the best educational building in the West of England.

The state-of-the-art facilities at Bower Ashton campus won the title at the LABC West of England Building Excellence Awards 2018.

The LABC (Local Authority Building Control) awards recognise the best in construction in England and Wales.

The £9 million studios opened in September 2017 and house industry standard production film making, animation and photography facilities for creative industries students.

The building is open to all students based on City Campus, UWE Bristol’s creative and cultural industries campus made up of sites at Bower Ashton, Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed.

Austin-Smith:Lord's design blends in with the natural surroundings of the Ashton Court conservation area.

Facilities include a production studio, two large photography studios, stop motion animation and CGI facilities, sound and Foley recording studios, as well as colour grading and editing suites.

On winning the award, Louise Jennings, associate dean – strategic partnerships for the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education, said: "This award recognises the high level of professional partnership that developed between the faculty and estates and facilities, architects Austin-Smith:Lord and contractors Willmott Dixon.

"Their understanding of the needs of students and staff has led to a brilliantly designed building, which not only provides a fantastic learning and teaching environment but blends amazingly well within its environment.

"The award is a formal recognition of the hard work that went into creating this building and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved."

The building now goes forward to the national grand finals to be held in London on November 9.

The partners are now working on the new Bower Ashton Design Studios, due to open in early 2019.