Salford approves demolition of Stirling Prize winning building
The University of Salford’s Centenary Building was the inaugural winner of the design gong but is set to be demolished later this year.
Salford City Council’s planning department has approved an application from ECF, which is leading the £2.5bn regeneration of the 250 acres around the building, to knock down the 30-year-old structure.
The University of Salford-owned building was constructed to house the institution’s spatial, graphic, and industrial design department but has been vacant for almost a decade.
The site forms part of Adelphi Village, itself part of the Crescent Salford masterplan, and is earmarked for redevelopment into homes. Nearby, the 100-home Wilohaus is currently being constructed on the building’s former car park as part of the Adelphi Village plans. The nearby Farmer Norton car park is also earmarked for redevelopment.
Designed by Hodder + Partners, the Centenary Building is one of only two North West winners of the Stirling Prize in the 28-year history of the award. The other is the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, which won the award in 2014.
News of the building’s impending demise broke last year. The university said that it had carefully considered the future of the building but decided that “its ageing infrastructure means it no longer meets modern standards and requirements”.
Stephen Hodder reacted angrily to the news on environmental grounds. “I simply cannot support the demolition of a building that is only thirty years old,” Hodder said.
“For a university that promotes its sustainability credentials, the intention to demolish surely undermines the credibility of its policy.”
The Twentieth Century Society had submitted an application to Historic England to list the building.
A Historic England spokesperson told Place North West: “While the Centenary Building has some design interest, winning the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize in 1996, when considered against the criteria for listing buildings of a recent date, it lacks the special interest to merit listing in a national context.”
Demolition could begin as early as March and complete by the end of the year.
This should serve as a total embarrassment for all concerned.
By Anonymous
This is beyond ridiculous and another classic example of how policy implementation (university & planning) rarely delivers what the policy was designed to do. Yes there is a need for housing and yes a 30 year old building will have inadequate environmental performance, but try harder! Significantly older buildings are successfully and routinely re-purposed. Come on people – demonstrate some common sense and integrity!
By Anonymous
As a graduate I’m embarrassed , typical NW cities driven by money rather than history and conservation
By Salford Fred
The changes in our society are so fast these days that architecture is not immune. Capitalism is ruthless and architects are not exempt from this. Sad story.. wonder if French, Germans or Danish systems would allow the same… on the other hand it would be beneficial to explain how the building’s infrastructure is not adaptable for graphic and industrial design…
By Gloria
Soooooo shortsighted and stupid not to repurpose this.
By Calum McG
Why keep an award – winning building when you can demolish it & built tiny but expensive flats & make more £££ 🙄
By Janet Breeze
Architect reacts badly to a building being demolished that is only 30 years old, the client should equally be annoyed that he managed to design a building that was only used for 20 years and even then not fit for purpose
By Not fit for purpose
Well if it has not been used for 10 years , then it is obviously not fit for purpose.
By Wislon
I am shocked to read this news.
Absolutely appalling and I truly hope the decision is overturned
By Sue