A major extension to the Manchester School of Art by Bath architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios has been selected as one of six projects shortlisted for this year’s Stirling Prize, the UK’s most prestigious architectural award.
The extension to the progressive Manchester School of Art, which began life in the 1830s, provides an engaging environment for students and staff to work and study across a broad range of arts disciplines.
A highly-visible new vertical gallery space acts as a shop window providing a showcase for the School of Art to the wider city. Behind the gallery is a ‘hybrid’ studio of cascading, connected floor plates designed to break down traditional separations and foster creative interactions between disciplines.
The Stirling Prize is presented to the architects of a building that has made the greatest contribution to the evolution of architecture over the past year.
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios senior partner Keith Bradley said the shortlisting was a great acknowledgement of its work with an inspirational client.
“The dean of the Art School and the vice chancellor of the university were an intrinsic part of the creative team that has delivered radical new approach to arts teaching and learning,” he said.
“The resulting building is about facilitating the arts by choreographing spaces that enable a culture of creative interaction between disciplines around dedicated and shared studio spaces. It also acts as a showcase and gallery for the arts, particular as it transforms into exhibition space for the end-of-year show.
Physically the Art School is an interpretation of the Arts and Crafts traditions of the material and making upon which the school was founded in the 19th century.”
Pictured: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios's Manchester School of Art extension ©Hufton+Crow
