Architecture Building, University of Lincoln
About the Project
- Principal designer: Rick Mather Architects
- Client: University of Lincoln
- Principal contractor: HBG Construction
- Principal architect/engineer:Ward Cole Consulting
- Contract value: £7,295,000
Rick Mather Architects created this sculptural school of architecture building as the first part of a masterplan for the University, which aims to extend the city westwards and unite town and gown. The scheme, which also provides teaching space for the rest of the university, sits as a backdrop to the city's historic city centre - maintaining views to Lincoln cathedral - on a site adjacent to a main railway.
In form it is a simple rectangle over five floors with two parallel corridors, providing access to office accommodation on the southern side and teaching facilities on the northern. The building is accessed through a low level entrance which forms a foyer to lecture theatres and accommodates a busy café. The construction team managed to shave off £500,000 from the budget through making 50 value engineering alterations and further economised through heating/cooling systems.
The Judges said:
"This scheme is a very good example of a project which uses natural ventilation and light where possible - and even had to cope with nesting swans during the construction period. As befits a building devoted to the study of architecture, it also scored by showing a highly integrated design and construction approach."