Architecture with a capital 'A'

29-01-2010

The people of Leeds have voted the home of the Faculty of Arts & Society, Broadcasting Place, 3rd in the Leeds' Favourite Building shortlist at the 2009 Leeds Architecture Awards. The ceromony took place on Thursday 28 January 2010, at the Broad Gate building located on the Headrow, Leeds.

Leeds Town Hall was the overall winner of the award, organised by the Yorkshire Evening Post and voted for by its readers, with Temple Works in 2nd.

Broadcasting Place was also crowned the winner in the New Building category, with the judges describing the design as 'architecture with a capital A'. The developer of the estate, Downing, received the award with the architect Feilden Clegg Bradley.

Hot on the heels of Broadcasting Place to claim commendations in the New Building shortlist were student accommodation block, the Carnegie Village, in partnership with Leeds architect practice Goddard Wybor, and the Rose Bowl, which was noted by the Judges for its use of materials, in particular the light and glass internally. The University received this award with architect Sheppard Robson.

Now in its 24th year, The Leeds Architecture Awards celebrate and encourage excellence in architectural design across the city. The awards aim to promote a sense of pride in the new developments that are reshaping the city. They recognise and reward innovation, sustainability and high quality regeneration schemes.

Chris Bailey, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Society, who attended the event along with colleagues Paul Riley, Sue Holmes and Chris Royffe commented: "I think it's very significant that the people of Leeds, when asked to vote for their favourite building, gave first prize to the Victorian Leeds Town Hall, possibly the country's greatest monument to civic pride and confidence. In second place came Temple Works, another great monument, this time to the innovation and energy of the Industrial Revolution and potentially a huge asset to the cultural life of Leeds. But for a popular vote to single out a new building is quite rare, so the third place given to Broadcasting Place demonstrates a continuing appetite for bold architecture that expresses creativity and an engagement with the city."

Director of Estates at Leeds Met, Sue Holmes said: "Broadcasting Place has caught the imagination of the city and its residents as well as creating a fantastic learning space for students and staff. It's a fantastic addition to our University."

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