News | Friday, 7th August 2015
Manchester Met tops RIBA building awards list
Four prestigious national design prizes since 2013
THE CUTTING-edge architecture at the University has been ranked among the best designed buildings in UK higher education.
Recent analysis by the Architects Journal shows Manchester Met has more national awards from the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) than any other university.
The Higher Education Design Quality Forum, which is dedicated to promoting high-quality design across the university sector, praised the ‘innovative and inspiring architecture’.
The University has invested almost £350 million in its estate to enhance the student experience and advance its world-class teaching and research.
High quality
Paul Kingsmore, Director of Services, said: “The University has made a considerable investment in developing its estate to ensure it is fit for purpose, enhances the student experience and supports the highest quality research and teaching. We are grateful for the recognition we have been given by RIBA for our high-quality buildings.”
RIBA awards range from respected regional prizes through to the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize, which marks the best British building each year.
In 2013, Manchester Met was awarded a RIBA National Award for the Business School and Student Hub that opened to much acclaim in 2012.
The Manchester School of Art followed suit in 2014 as its new extension and refurbishment earned a RIBA National Award and made the Stirling Prize final. In the same year, Manchester Met picked up RIBA’s Client of the Year Award.
Awards
Earlier this year, the new £10million Students’ Union was recognised with a RIBA National Award. All buildings were designed by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.
Four universities ranked in the top 21 clients as judged by the combined number of RIBA awards during the last 10 years. Manchester Met is top with four, followed by Queen Mary University of London, Lancaster University and Southampton University with three awards.
Professor Philip Ogden, Chairman of HEDQF, said: “These results demonstrate universities across the country are pursuing an agenda of design quality aimed at improving the student experience and maintaining the highest quality of research.
“The quality of universities' estates is becoming increasingly important and there are some wonderful examples of outstanding design. HEDQF would like warmly to congratulate these institutions on their achievement and is confident universities will continue to commission innovative and inspiring architecture.”
Full RIBA awards list:
2014 RIBA Client of the Year Award (nominated by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios for the Business School and Manchester School of Art)
Business School
2013 RIBA North West Award
2013 RIBA National Award
Manchester School of Art
2014 RIBA North West Award
2014 RIBA National Award
2014 RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist
Students' Union
2015 RIBA North West Award
2015 RIBA National Award
