A WORCESTERSHIRE-based architect has won a major industry award for his work on a multi-million pound library development.

Rupert Walshe of Associated Architects, who lives at Martley, has been named project architect of the year by RIBA West Midlands for his work on the £11.3million Southwater One public library in Telford. Mr Walshe was also the project architect for Tudor Grange Academy in Worcester, which was awarded an RIBA West Midlands award.

Southwater One provides Telford town centre with a striking public building that houses Telford and Wrekin Council’s First Point services, a new public library, a café and more. In its first two weeks alone the building saw more than 15,000 visitors.

Mr Walshe said: "I’m absolutely overwhelmed to named project architect of the year by RIBA West Midlands. As an architect you always hope your designs will be liked by the public and architectural industry alike and so it’s an incredible honour to be given this award. To see so many people enjoying and interacting with Southwater One is a wonderful feeling and I’m privileged to have been able to work on this wonderful project.”

Mr Walshe attended King's School, Worcester before going to Edinburgh University, where he graduated with a first class honours degree, before heading to London on a scholarship to complete his studies at the Royal College of Art. Once fully qualified, he initially worked in London on a wide variety of projects including residential developments in Ireland, hotels in Norway and a museum in Libya. Mr Walshe moved back to Worcester in 2010. In 2011, while working at FCB Studio, he was project architect for the design of Tudor Grange Academy. Since 2012 he has worked for Associated Architects as a senior architect. The Southwater One project was completed May 2014.