Design by FCBStudios praised for holistic approach

The University of Warwick’s Faculty of Arts Building has been announced as one of the six projects shortlisted for the 2023 RIBA Stirling Prize for Building of the Year. Designed by Tenderstream member Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios), the new building brings together the departments and schools of the faculty under a single roof for the first time. The RIBA judges praised the design for its holistic approach to providing engaging spaces that enable collaboration, creativity and innovation, whilst drawing inspiration from the site’s unique parkland context.

Four light-filled pavilions set around a grand central stair house teaching areas, offices and academic clusters. In place of a traditional atrium at ground level, a sculptural wooden stair spirals around a series of spaces for use as studios, exhibition and event spaces. Designed to be approached from all sides, the building seamlessly fits in with the landscaped surroundings, providing opportunities for serendipitous meetings and interaction. The bright and open space has become the cultural focus of the university, boasting a prime location on the main route across campus.

Keith Bradley, founding partner of FCBStudios, stated: “Being shortlisted for the Stirling Prize is very special as an acknowledgement of our work with Warwick University as well as with the wider consultant and contractor team on the Faculty of Arts Building. What we have created together is a place that students, academics and other staff want to be - facilitating interactive learning and research in a set of ‘live’ physical spaces - having returned from the digital world that dominated in the Covid years. Warwick Faculty of Arts is a place that connects its people and the wider natural landscape setting. Essential requirements for wellbeing that makes architecture a social and environmental art.”

This is the third time FCBStudios have been shortlisted for the Stirling Prize. Accordia Housing won the prize in 2008, and Manchester School of Art was shortlisted in 2014.

This year’s prize ceremony will take place on 19 October 2023.

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 28.09.2016 here

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