Seven exceptional buildings – including a resurrected once-derelict stable building in Cheshire (L'Ecurie at Dorfold Hall), a ‘seamlessly extended’ Grade II-listed home in Chester (Cross House), and the renovation of a heritage-listed synagogue (Manchester Jewish Museum) have been named as winners of a 2023 RIBA North West Award, recognising them as the best new buildings in the region.
Presented since 1966, RIBA’s awards set the standard for great architecture across the country.
Also announced as winners at the ceremony this evening were an elegantly designed 40-metre-tall tower housing a low-carbon energy centre in central Manchester (Tower of Light and Wall of Energy), two innovative new educational spaces (Manchester Metropolitan University School of Digital Arts and UCLan Student Centre and University Square), and the redevelopment of Manchester’s historic Brownsfield Mill into 31 modern apartments (AVRO).
The L'Ecurie at Dorfold Hall was named winner of RIBA North West Building of the Year Award 2023 (sponsored by EH Smith) with the judges particularly praising the building’s fantastic ‘command of space and light’.
The 2023 RIBA North West Award winning projects are:
- L'Ecurie at Dorfold Hall by ZOË POLYA-VITRY Ltd. Resurrected stable building on the Dorfold Hall estate in Cheshire
- AVRO by stephenson hamilton risley STUDIO Grade II-listed building redeveloped into apartment block
- Manchester Jewish Museum by Citizens Design Bureau A renovated and extended heritage-listed synagogue to create a museum that "tells the stories of Jewish Mancunians"
- The Manchester Metropolitan University School of Digital Arts (SODA) by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios A cross-disciplinary learning environment, housing flexible studio spaces, a digital innovation lab and open workspaces
- Tower of Light and Wall of Energy by Tonkin Liu 40-metre tower supporting and enclosing flues for a new low-carbon energy centre in Manchester's city centre
- UCLan Student Centre and University Square by Hawkins\Brown New student centre providing vibrant social areas to quiet study spots
- Cross House by Scott Donald Architecture Seamlessly extended Grade II-listed home
The seven projects were selected by an expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.
RIBA President, Simon Allford, said:
“Winning a RIBA regional award is a fantastic achievement. These projects, selected by a rigorous peer review process, represent the very best of the region’s new architecture. Inspiring buildings and spaces bring joy to all our lives, and this year’s award winners certainly fit that bill. Many congratulations to all.”
Full list of the regional special awards announced this evening:
- AVRO – RIBA North West - Conservation Award 2023
- Cross House - RIBA North West Client of the Year 2023
- L'Ecurie at Dorfold Hall - RIBA North West Building of the Year 2023 (sponsored by EH Smith)
- Manchester Jewish Museum - RIBA North West Project Architect of the Year 2023
RIBA North West Award winners will now be considered for a highly coveted RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, which will be announced this summer. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- For further press information please contact Press.Office@riba.org
- High resolution images and jury citations: https://riba.box.com/v/RIBANorthWestWinners2023
- RIBA Special Awards are sponsored by Gaggenau, EH Smith and Autodesk.
- The RIBA Awards have been running since 1966 and are judged and presented locally. No matter the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA Award winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA Awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows.
- Entries are submitted to the region or nation in which the building is situated. Projects are judged first for RIBA Regional Awards, then RIBA National Awards; the RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist is selected from winners of the RIBA National Awards.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
