University unveils creator of £60m square

PRESTON university UCLan has revealed the preferred architect to create a new £60m civic square and student support centre.

Design concepts presented by HawkinsBrown, which has offices in Manchester and London, were selected by judges from seven shortlisted entries in the competition run by UCLan in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
 
HawkinsBrown’s design concept also received the most positive comments from members of the public in a series of exhibitions which ran alongside the competition.
 
The design concept features a biodiverse roof, LED lighting underfoot, a pavilion café bar and a large glass façade to create feelings of light, space and airiness.
 
It has been created using the idea of ‘threads’ to connect the university and the city, drawing on Preston’s textile heritage and its future in aerospace electronics.

HawkinsBrown will now produce a final proposal which will take into account feedback from the judges, UCLan staff and students as well as members of the public. The design team includes landscape architects Plincke and lighting and art designers Jason Bruges.

In total, 41 entries were received from across Europe for the creation of the civic square and student support centre, two key projects within UCLan’s £200m masterplan.

David Taylor, chair of the university board, said: “We already have two world-class architecture practices working with us on the masterplan in SimpsonHaugh and Partners and AHR, and now we have a third with the appointment of the team from HawkinsBrown.

“The standard of submissions was very high but it was HawkinsBrown’s visually impactful, well thought-out concept design which won the day.

“HawkinsBrown demonstrated a true understanding of what students want, and of the city of Preston with the concept design referencing our industrial heritage. It is a firm which has extensive experience of partnering with universities and, importantly, the final design will deliver on our ambition of drawing the University and city together like never before.”

Sana Iqbal, president of the UCLan Students’ Union, said: “The concept design looks great! We are very excited to work with the University and HawkinsBrown to ensure that the new Student Support building and square meets the needs of students.”

UCLan vice chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “This is a landmark project which will enhance Preston’s landscape, and all the shortlisted architects provided a skilled and unique response.

“It was HawkinsBrown’s winning design concept which drew the most positive attention. The public particularly liked the curved glass façade and the idea of the pavilion café bar, supporting the use of the square for all.”

Roger Hawkins, Partner at HawkinsBrown, said: “We are tremendously excited about getting started on this project, testing some of our initial design ideas with students and staff from UCLan and with people from the city of Preston.”

The project is due for completion in 2019. AECOM is project and cost manager and BDP is providing a wide range of multi-disciplinary engineering services for the student support centre and new square.

Latest phase in UCLan’s £200m masterplan

PRESTON university UCLan has revealed the preferred architect to create a new £60m civic square and student support centre.

Design concepts presented by HawkinsBrown, which has offices in Manchester and London, were selected by judges from seven shortlisted entries in the competition run by UCLan in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
 
HawkinsBrown’s design concept also received the most positive comments from members of the public in a series of exhibitions which ran alongside the competition.
 
The design concept features a biodiverse roof, LED lighting underfoot, a pavilion café bar and a large glass façade to create feelings of light, space and airiness.
 
It has been created using the idea of ‘threads’ to connect the university and the city, drawing on Preston’s textile heritage and its future in aerospace electronics.

HawkinsBrown will now produce a final proposal which will take into account feedback from the judges, UCLan staff and students as well as members of the public. The design team includes landscape architects Plincke and lighting and art designers Jason Bruges.

In total, 41 entries were received from across Europe for the creation of the civic square and student support centre, two key projects within UCLan’s £200m masterplan.

David Taylor, chair of the university board, said: “We already have two world-class architecture practices working with us on the masterplan in SimpsonHaugh and Partners and AHR, and now we have a third with the appointment of the team from HawkinsBrown.

“The standard of submissions was very high but it was HawkinsBrown’s visually impactful, well thought-out concept design which won the day.

“HawkinsBrown demonstrated a true understanding of what students want, and of the city of Preston with the concept design referencing our industrial heritage. It is a firm which has extensive experience of partnering with universities and, importantly, the final design will deliver on our ambition of drawing the University and city together like never before.”

Sana Iqbal, president of the UCLan Students’ Union, said: “The concept design looks great! We are very excited to work with the University and HawkinsBrown to ensure that the new Student Support building and square meets the needs of students.”

UCLan vice chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “This is a landmark project which will enhance Preston’s landscape, and all the shortlisted architects provided a skilled and unique response.

“It was HawkinsBrown’s winning design concept which drew the most positive attention. The public particularly liked the curved glass façade and the idea of the pavilion café bar, supporting the use of the square for all.”

Roger Hawkins, Partner at HawkinsBrown, said: “We are tremendously excited about getting started on this project, testing some of our initial design ideas with students and staff from UCLan and with people from the city of Preston.”

The project is due for completion in 2019. AECOM is project and cost manager and BDP is providing a wide range of multi-disciplinary engineering services for the student support centre and new square.

UCLan square

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