Evelyn Grace Academy / RIBA Stirling Prize

In 2010 Rock was appointed by Mace Plus to work on a new education sector project, the Evelyn Grace Academy. Designed by one of the world’s most exciting and celebrated architects, Zaha Hadid, this secondary school is a legacy of the ambitious Building Schools for the Future (BSF) investment programme launched in 2004.

So we were delighted when the Evelyn Grace Academy was announced as the recipient of the 2011 RIBA Stirling Prize for the greatest contribution to British architecture of the past year. For Rock, it is very gratifying to once again be associated with a project that has earned the highest level of professional recognition.

Mace Plus contracted Rock to ensure that the building’s roof was waterproofed with our proven hot melt system, finished with quality architectural ballast and paving slabs. It is, however, very common for a main contractor to call upon Rock’s expertise in areas other than waterproofing. In this instance, Mace Plus made us responsible for the finishes on the low level concourse areas, which required a distinctive white granite imported from Ireland. Our team had to demonstrate a high degree of skill and care in installing the granite, as it played an important role in echoing other elements of Zaha Hadid’s overall design.

Likewise, we were contracted to install a design on the roof of the sports hall which reflected the entire building’s highly stylised zigzag appearance. Our rooftop zigzag was achieved by employing two colours of stone, applied with painstaking craftsmanship to ensure that this bold feature was perfectly delineated with a clean, crisp edge to it.

We congratulate Zaha Hadid Architects on winning the RIBA Stirling Prize. We also thank Mace Plus for choosing Rock as their partner on this highly imaginative and innovative project which offers exception opportunities to children in the Brixton area.