Scheme for University of Central Lancashire to complete in 2019

Hawkins Brown has beaten six others for a scheme to design a student support centre at the University of Central Lancashire.

The RIBA competition is for a new civic square at the heart of the Preston campus as well as the student building.

The firm pipped proposals from Stanton Williams and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios to the prize along with bids from Austin Smith: Lord, Associated Architects, Sheppard Robson and Nicholas Hare.

Hawkins Brown’s 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. The project is due for completion in 2019.

The seven finalists were picked from 41 expressions of interest.

RIBA advisor on the competition John Whiles from Jestico & Whiles said: “The low, transparent, student-focussed, pavilion approach proposed by Hawkins Brown best captured the spirit of an interactive, catalytic, gateway building sought.”

 

Hawkins Brown University of Central Lancashire

The scheme will finish in three years’ time

 

The design team includes landscape architects Plincke and lighting and art designers Jason Bruges.

Aecom is project and cost manager while BDP is providing a wide range of multi-disciplinary engineering services for the student support centre and new square.

Simpson Haugh and AHR are already working on the masterplan for the scheme.