University of York triumphs for the second year in a row at the York Design Awards
The University of York Ron Cooke Hub (the Hub) won the York Design Award in the category for New Build, Non-residential, Public at the York Design Awards 2011 ceremony held on 28 June in the Berrick Saul building at the University of York.
Achieving four awards in three years is real testimony to the vision we have for our £750 million investment in expanding our campus
Elizabeth Heaps, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Estates
This is the second year in a row the University has won a York Design Award – last year recognised the iconic Berrick Saul Building on Heslington West campus. Two further University buildings achieved accolades in 2008, the Raymond Burton Library and Borthwick Institute for Archives, and the National Science Learning Centre.
The Ron Cooke Hub is a flagship conceptual building which supports start-up businesses and inter-disciplinary research centres and creates social and study space for students. Since it opened in November 2010 over 500 businesses have made use of the space and facilities provided by The Hub.
Located on the Heslington East side of campus, the Hub has been designed to be accessible from all sides with no distinct front or back to encourage an open invitation to the iconic spaces within. The Hub is the focal point of the Heslington East development and is spear-heading the University’s strategy for engagement and collaboration with industry and fostering and supporting entrepreneurship amongst students and staff.
The University of York has been a catalyst in developing and accelerating York city’s international profile working in partnership with the local community, City of York Council and inward investment agencies. The embedding of business facilities on campus will accelerate the promotion of York’s strengths as a knowledge economy and our investment in world-class facilities will act as a magnet for inward investment to the city and region.
Judges of the award took into consideration quality of design, materials and workmanship, context, sustainability and the ability to delight.
Elizabeth Heaps, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Estates said “To win a York Design Award once is an honour; achieving four awards in three years is real testimony to the vision we have for our £750 million investment in expanding our campus. The Hub is a physical expression of the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, research and knowledge exchange.”
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