Our Catherine Hughes Building has been recognised with a 2022 RIBA South Award.
Judged and presented locally, the Royal Institute of British Architects Regional Awards celebrate great architecture across the UK. The Catherine Hughes building will now progress to the RIBA National Awards panel for consideration.
In their citation, the RIBA panel noted how the structure, which was designed by Alistair Browning for Niall McLaughlin Architects and built by Beard Construction, manages ‘to strike the delicate balance between a carefully considered and cleverly modelled response to context, and a clear architectural identity and consistent language of its own’.
They also expressed admiration for the way the building responds to the diverse range of architectural styles surrounding it, while establishing a more open urban relationship between the college and local community.
“Niall McLaughlin Architects are delighted that the Catherine Hughes Building has won a RIBA South Award 2022,” said Alistair.
“This recognition is a testament to what has been a very enjoyable and productive collaboration between the practice and Somerville College for the best part of a decade and a half.
“Throughout this period Somerville has continued to inspire, commission and advocate for excellent new pieces of contemporary architecture, and it is our privilege to have played a part in achieving this latest milestone for the college.”
The award represents a second nod for the building, after it scooped the 2021 Brick Award in the Education category. This is not the first time one of Somerville’s buildings had been recognised for their architecture, with the Wolfson Building receiving an award for Outstanding Merit in the Use of Concrete from the Concrete Society in 1969.
