Vision for UCLan’s £60m campus gateway revealed

Architects have been chosen for the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) new circa £60m civic square and student support hub.

Designs by Hawkins\Brown, which has offices in Manchester and London, were chosen by judges out of seven shortlisted entries in a competition run by UCLan with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Additionally, a series of exhibitions run alongside the competition saw Hawkins\Brown’s concept receive the most positive comments from the public.

The designs feature underfoot LED lighting, a pavilion café bar, a biodiverse roof and a large glass façade, with the idea of ‘threads’ present to draw on Preston’s past in textiles and its future in aerospace electronics.

Following its victory in the competition, Hawkins\Brown will now deliver a final proposal that takes into account feedback from the judges, university staff and students, and members of the public.

Landscape architects Plincke and lighting and art design firm Jason Bruges are part of the design team.

UCLan’s vice chancellor, prof. 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.

“We’d like to thank everyone who submitted feedback as the comments helped shape the judging panel’s final decision, and it was Hawkins\Brown’s winning design concept which drew the most positive attention.”

He added: “The public particularly liked the curved glass façade and the idea of the pavilion café bar, supporting the use of the square for all.”

Hawkins\Brown partner Roger Hawkins commented: “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 civic square and student support centre form part of UCLan’s £200m masterplan to redevelop its Preston campus.