Cirencester College’s new Animal Centre extension has been declared the winner of the prestigious ‘People’s Choice Award’ at the Constructing Excellence South West Awards, one of the most prominent accolades in the South West’s built environment.
After an online poll saw the College’s new zoo-like facilities reach the final 3 entries in the People’s Choice category with over 600 votes, representatives from Cirencester College and Cambrian Civil Engineering attended the recent awards ceremony at Aerospace Bristol where they were declared the winner of the coveted award, following voting by all attendees.
This new development, which reached completion in April 2025, comprises two aviaries, an open-top enclosure, two mammal enclosures with climbing zones for arboreal species, a new isolation and food preparation unit, and multiple goat areas.
Built by Cambrian Civil Engineering and Zoological Fabrications, these new facilities will allow for a number of new species to be added to the College’s animal collection, providing T-level Animal Care and Management students the opportunity to gain experience working with zoo-type species and hoof stock. Working with such species will also support a number of units on their course, including biosecurity, legislation, enclosure design, and animal behaviour and enrichment.
The first new additions to the College’s extensive animal collection are already settling into their new homes, including two Rusty Spotted genets, one English goat, and two Royal Golden Guernsey goats. The College’s Animal Technician team are preparing to welcome Lovebirds before the start of term, among other exciting additions.
Christian Chambers, General Manager of Cambrian Civil Engineering, said “The Constructing Excellence Awards was a night we will never forget at Cambrian. Dinner under Concorde surrounded by illustrious and esteemed peers, and the fact they voted for us to win the People’s Choice Award is mind-blowing. We are honoured to have delivered this facility for Cirencester College, and we know many students will benefit from what we created for decades to come.”
Asia Surplice, Animal Centre Manager at Cirencester College, said “Winning the People’s Choice award was an amazing conclusion to our zoo project – it has been a pleasure to collaborate with Cambrian and ZooFab and it feels brilliant to have all our hard work recognised. The animal centre team have put so much effort into making this space meet the needs of the students in terms of specification requirements, preparation for industry and accessibility. Not only this but these new areas look amazing and go above and beyond minimum standards for animal welfare meaning that our animals are healthy, happy, and ready to help the students learn! We are so excited for the next cohort of students to use these new facilities.”
For more information on this story please contact chloe.suter@cirencester.ac.uk
