Benzie Building named best in the North West

THE BENZIE Building has been named as one of the best buildings in the North West.

The new Manchester School of Art building, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley, was named as one of the winners at the RIBA North West Regional Awards.

David Crow, Dean of the Manchester School of Art, said: “I think the building is so successful because its design is based on a clear vision about what we were trying to achieve which was interpreted with a great deal of care and attention to detail by the Architects FCB and the design team who were helping us realise our vision.”

Tom Jarman, partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley, said: “Following success at the Concrete Awards in November last year FCB Studios is delighted that Manchester School of Art has again been recognised.”

Set apart from the competition

The building was one of six winners chosen from hundreds of entries.  

Andrew Ruffler, RIBA North West Regional Director said: “Once again the North West has produced another crop of outstanding buildings, all of which demonstrate the value of a strong architect-client relationship.

“The jury had a tough job in choosing the RIBA NW Regional Award winners from a shortlist of very impressive buildings from across the region, but were in agreement that the six winners exhibited particular qualities that set them apart from the others.”

The other winners were Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, the Enterprise South Liverpool Academy, Liverpool Central Library, Number One Riverside, in Rochdale, and Trafford Town Fall. All six buildings will now be considered for a RIBA National Award, which will be announced in June.

The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning buildings later this year.