The Sibson Building, University of Kent
We are delighted to announce that the Sibson Building at the University of Kent won awards at the RIBA recently. It won the ‘RIBA South East Award 2018’, and the ‘RIBA South East Building of the Year 2018.
The collaborative team led by the architects Penoyre & Prasad' with Max Fordham and ourselves, led by Cath Birkin and her team, developed the masterplan with a strong relationship to William Holford’s 1965 robust masterplan for this parkland campus.
The original masterplan was conceived as a stem with a series of leaves that would grow over time as the university expanded. A branch to the north-west suggested major future development extending beyond the core of the campus, and in recent years this area had begun to be developed.
One of the key challenges was locating a large new academic hub in this woodland setting, without destroying the site’s intrinsic beauty. We analysed the different ways the building would be experienced – glimpsed through foliage, viewed below the tree canopy, and from its various approaches – and let this shape the overall form and architectural language.
The building has concourse at its heart, conceived as a woodland glade with dappled light from above and views out to the surrounding woodland at every turn. The new main path through the woods connects directly back to the centre of the campus.
The end result, beautifully photographed by Quintin Lake, is a joy to the eye with access to that vital ingredient we all need in our technologically rich lives.?
Well done everyone and a fantastic effort from the Client in supporting us to this outcome.