|
27 October 2008
University building wins top award for design
The University of Sheffield's striking Information Commons building has taken the top prize at the Royal Institute of British Architects' (RIBA) Yorkshire White Rose Awards. The building, designed by architects RMJM, scooped the `Yorkshire Building of the Year´ award at a prestigious ceremony at Leeds Town Hall, hosted by Barnsley poet Ian McMillan.
Recognised as one of the best examples of architecture in the region, the six-storey Information Commons provides a state-of-the art learning environment for students. It combines print and digital library services with the latest IT resources, including over 500 PCs, wireless networking and IT equipped classrooms. It has well-equipped spaces for teaching, learning and study, along with a 70-seat café.
The building, which also won the gold White Rose Award for Architecture, has a distinctive copper exterior and makes excellent use of natural light, as well as providing a range of study environments. It has already won a national RIBA award and two construction innovation and sustainability awards for its complex structural flooring system.
As well as the Information Commons accolades there were other University winners.
For the second year running, Prue Chiles, the newly appointed Director of Architecture at the University of Sheffield has seen continued success, winning the bronze White Rose Award for Architecture for the Hillsborough Pavilion, a contemporary re-interpretation of a traditional English building type; the sports pavilion.
In a recent interview, the Director of Sheffield City Council´s Parks and Countryside Service, Mary Bagley, called the Hillsborough Park Pavilion a "beautiful building… Clad with wood, it has marvellous views through Hillsborough Park and has a great sprung dancing floor where the tea dances are held every week."
Sharrow School in Sheffield, won "client of the year" and "sustainable futures" categories and also picked up a silver White Rose Award for Architecture. Sharrow School´s green roof, which is one of its sustainable features, was designed by Dr Nigel Dunnett from the University of Sheffield´s Department of Landscape.
Alex Hunt, Manager of the Information Commons at the University of Sheffield, said: "We are extremely proud of the Information Commons and are delighted that RMJM has been recognised for creating such an iconic building for the University. The awards are testament to all the innovative thinking that went into the building and the excellent collaboration between the University and the architectural team. Information Commons not only provides a state-of-the-art learning environment for students it is also a striking building on the city´s landscape."
Dr Nigel Dunnett, a Reader in Urban Horticulture at the University of Sheffield, said: "It was a pleasure to be involved with the Sharrow School project and I am thrilled that they have won so many awards. By creating the urban nature reserve we have provided an area that students and staff can use for all kinds of educational activities, as well as providing an attractive green space for the development. The living roof we created, and others like them, are essential for achieving sustainable development and I hope more developers follow Sharrow School´s excellent lead and invest in landscape architecture of this type."
Matt Cartwright, RMJM´s Project Director, said: "Information Commons has set a new benchmark for the education sector. It has been visited by over one thousand professionals from all over the country. The project is the fruit of fantastic teamwork and we are delighted to have won these prestigious awards."
Geoff Ward, newly appointed Chair of RIBA Yorkshire, said: "This region has been producing outstanding architecture for centuries, it is home to some of the most innovative practises in the country and the RIBA Yorkshire White Rose Awards celebrate that by awarding the architects and projects who have led the way forward for the region.
"It is great to see the city of Sheffield rewarded for its foresight in encouraging such beautiful and intelligent architectural design, showing how architecture can make day to day life better for everyone, from school children to students; bowlers to builders."
|
