The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) are seeking public consultation to help them choose an architectural practice to design a new £50 million campus gateway in the centre of Preston from a shortlist of seven.
The respondents’ feedback will help them make a decision on how a new student support centre and civic would look, both of which are part of the university’s £200 million masterplan.
The proposed civic square and student support centre may be equal in size to Trafalgar Square in London.
Earlier in the year, RIBA conducted an international competition which encouraged architectural practices to submit designs that would create a world class campus and deliver an excellent experience for students.
In June this year, UCLan announced that a shortlist of seven had been selected after it received over 40 entries from architectural practices throughout the UK and Europe.
Featured on the shortlist were Stanton Williams, Sheppard Robson, Nicholas Hare Architects, Hawkins/Brown, Fielden Clegg Bradley, Austin Smith: Lord and Associated Architects.
Members of the public are now being asked to give their views on the proposals before the final judging occurs later in the month.
UCLan Vice Chancellor, Professor Mike Thomas, commented: “A core principle of our masterplan is to integrate seamlessly with the rest of the city for the benefit of all, and a series of workshops have already taken place with varying user groups to help shape our plans.”
He added that the shortlist entry standard is very high and they are now looking to members of the public to make sure that the designs reflect what they feel is most important.
The designs can be viewed online via the RIBA Competitions website where members of the public can share their views using the online form from 9am on 8 August.
