Manchester School of Art in line for architecture’s top award

THE MANCHESTER School of Art has been shortlisted for a prestigious national architecture prize.

The new Benzie Building is one of six across the UK competing for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) highest accolade – the coveted Stirling Prize.

It has already been named as one of RIBA’s North West award winners but has now been shortlisted in the final, alongside the likes of The Shard and the Olympic Aquatics Centre, both in London, and The Library of Birmingham.

“We are, of course, delighted with the news that Manchester School of Art has been shortlisted for the Stirling Prize,” said Prof David Crow, Dean of Faculty.

21st Century art school

“The starting point for this project was to design a 21st Century art school. The University encouraged the school to take a bold approach, which we think will be a reference point for future art schools.

“We wanted to challenge convention and create a place that would encourage cross-disciplinary working, team projects and a more open and social approach to learning.”

He added: “Our architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley, have done a wonderful job of interpreting this vision and have worked very closely with our staff team to deliver a first-class building that helps us to rethink our working practices.”

The £34million construction project saw a major refurbishment of the old 1960s tower as well as the new extension, finished in 2013.

In good company

All of the six buildings will be judged by the same criteria: their design excellence and their significance in the evolution of architecture and the built environment, with the winner crowned on October 16.

The new building was officially unveiled as the Benzie Building last year, named after former chairman of MMU governors Alan Benzie, at a glitzy ceremony hosted by Elbow frontman Guy Garvey.

The full shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize is: The London School of Economics’ Saw See Hock Student Centre, The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, The Library of Birmingham, London Aquatics Centre, London Bridge Tower (The Shard) and The Manchester School of Art.

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