University of Northampton Campus Competition Shortlist Announced

The University of Northampton has shortlisted entries for the first stage of a design competition for teams to ‘master plan’ future developments at its 14.5-acre Avenue Campus on St George’s Avenue in Northampton.

A panel of judges and University representatives met recently to assess 33 entries. Entries were received from practices across the UK, along with several international submissions from France, South Africa, Germany and Belgium.

After reviewing an array of designs the judges narrowed the field to a shortlist of five for the second stage of the competition.

The Avenue master plan is designed to predicted developments at the University’s Campus over the next 15-20 years. These will embrace short term accommodation needs and longer term plans for improved resources in arts, science and technology, as well as accommodation for business and the community.

The jury panel was led by Roger Hawkins of Hawkins Brown Architects on behalf of the Royal Institute of British Architects:

‘‘The panel were impressed by the variety and quality of the schemes received for consideration. The shortlisted designs all feature elements which would make the University’s existing Maidwell building highly distinctive.’‘

Gill Winder, Director of Estates at the University, added:

‘‘We were delighted to have received so many entries to the competition and the international interest generated was particularly pleasing. The final selection of the five successful teams to go forward to Stage Two of the competition was hotly debated.

The successful five entrants were: Metropolitan Workshop, London; Ash Sakula Architects, London; Peter Haddon and Partners, Northampton; Steffian Bradley Architects, London; and Alison Brooks Architects, London.

The five shortlisted entries will be on display at Avenue Campus over the next two weeks. The exhibition will then move to The University of Northampton’s Park Campus, allowing students and staff an opportunity to see and comment on the selections so far.

The Stage Two brief for the competition will be made available later this month January, followed by a site visit for the entrants to discuss their ideas with the University and then submit their final entry designs submissions by 25 February.

A further announcement will be made shortly on public and stakeholder comment on the shortlisted competition submissions before the jury panel meets to select the winning team in March.

Images: University of Northampton