_space Architecture recognised for Durham Bill Bryson Library building

Newcastle-based _space Architecture has been praised for its architectural contribution to a flagship project for the North East.

The Durham University Gateway Project has been crowned ‘Outstanding’ in this year’s County Durham Partnership Environment Awards.

Rewarding great design, environmental guardianship and community spirit in County Durham, the Environment Awards are even more of a coup for _space Architecture as the Outstanding Award is discretionary and only awarded when the judges consider that a project has exceeded excellence across a range of environmental criteria.

By winning the award, _space Architecture has been recognised for its contribution to design and architecture on the Gateway project, which comprises the Science Site Environmental Improvements, the Bill Bryson Library extension and the Palatine Centre.

As concept landscape architects for the Science Site Environmental Improvements project, _space Architecture was involved in bringing a holistic overview, removing car parking and improving the public realm.

The design work involved bringing cohesion to public spaces and the pedestrian experience, integrating new access and delivery strategies, supporting the green travel plan and incorporating new artwork. The design has seen the rejuvenation of the Science Site, now called Lower Mountjoy as the heart of the University.

_space Architecture also lead the design of the £11m extension to the Billy Bryson Library on the Stockton Road, working alongside the University Estates and Building Team and main contractor Laing O’Rouke. It has now become an exciting place with a variety of group and individual study areas.

As executive architects on the Palatine Centre, _space Architecture collaborated with concept architects PHP and engineers Cundall, leading the integrated design team in delivering a new gateway building for the University. The Palatine Centre now accommodates executive offices, student services including recruitment and admissions, a café outlet and the School of Law.

_space Architecture associate director Andrew Grounsell said: “We have won over 10 awards in the past 12 months for our work at Durham University going back five years which is testament to our consistently high quality design and creativity.

“To be recognised for our work in such a way only helps to build our reputation within the higher education sector. This is backed up with recent projects for Sheffield and York Universities of which we are equally proud.”

County Durham Environment Partnership Environment Award judge, and environment and community director at the Banks Group Mark Dowdall said: “We are delighted to be able to recognise the excellence of so many inspirational projects that are making such a positive impact on the environment of County Durham.

“Durham University’s Science Site has incorporated sustainable principles throughout its design and development and these principles are now a benchmark for future developments within the university.”

Now in their 24th year, the awards are organised by the County Durham Environment Partnership to recognise great design and environmental achievement as well as contribution to the community. This year some 55 entries were received for businesses, community groups, schools, colleges and public and private organisations in County Durham.

The awards are administered by Durham County Council on behalf of the County Durham Environment Partnership. Sponsors of this year’s awards were Groundwork North East, Sita UK, Banks Group Durham Wildlife Trust, Northern Powergrid, Livin and English Heritage.