It proved controversial when it was first unveiled - but Huddersfield University’s “bright box” building has landed a top award.
The Student Central building won the Best Educational Building award for designer Watson Batty Architects Ltd in the regional Local Authority Building Control Awards.
The university’s plans for the building, near Shorehead roundabout, provoked opposition when first unveiled. The £22.5m glowing structure is home to student and staff services and its sports centre.
A Huddersfield University spokesman welcomed the award for Student Central’s designer, saying: “We are delighted by news of this award.
“Our Student Central building is not just architecturally innovative – especially in its appearance – but supremely fit for purpose, integrating a wide range of university services and facilities in one compact but spacious area.
“The building was opened at the start of the year and in no time at all it was fully-established as the attractive and adaptable heart of our campus.
“The fact that it was completed and opened well ahead of schedule is probably also a tribute to the quality and practicality of the design.”
It was among a number of local winners. Holme Valley-based Kingsman Homes won the award for Best Single Dwelling for Rosefield in Honley, designed by Acumen Designers and Architects; and contractors Graham Construction Ltd and architects One17 won Best New Dwellings 2-15 for Delamere Gardens in Fixby.
The luxury homes were built in the grounds of the former home of tycoon Lord Kagan and his wife Lady Margaret Kagan.
Holmfirth-based property developer Kingsman Homes were finalists in two categories at the West Yorkshire Regional LABC Awards and took the title for five-bed Rosefield, built in reclaimed Yorkshire stone.
They were runner-up in the Restoration and Conversion Small Projects category for Hogley Green Barn and Cottage Conversion in Holmfirth.
Kingsman Homes Director Scott McDonald said: “We were delighted to be nominated in two categories at the awards and over the moon to have won. These LABC awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight the quality and craftsmanship that is being produced in our region from small, local builders like ourselves, as well as the larger building companies.
“We really are chuffed to bits and would like to thank our architect partners on both projects - Acumen Architects for Rosefield and Wake Architects for Hogley Green.”
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