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BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
ARU Peterborough's £32m Lab building wins urban design award
A new £32m university building has beaten competition from five other developments to win a national award for its impact on a Lab, which is part of Anglia Ruskin University's (ARU) site in Peterborough, was named as the best building in the urban life-focused Pineapples Lab opened in November, two years after the university began welcoming students in the city in 2022."It is inspiring to see a regional team building something from scratch which inspires its local community," said the judges. The Pineapples were launched in 2019 by The Developer, a media and urban living design organisation, and the Design Council, to recognise the positive effect buildings have on places and people. Professor Ross Renton, the principal of ARU Peterborough, said the university was created to serve the city's needs and the award showed it was on the "right track".The building, which was finished in August, features a microbiology lab, a tissue culture lab, engineering workshops, teaching spaces and the Living Lab - a space designed to host exhibits, talks and events."It is a real beacon for its place-making and wider social impact," the judges added. "What really lifted it above the other projects was this impact, which highlights the civic role that a university can have."The public spaces created are really versatile and adaptable for different uses," they said. Other contenders in the category included a 50-storey tower block in the City of London and University College London's development at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Peterborough university building up for national award
A £32 million Peterborough university building is up for a national award. The Lab, ARU Peterborough's newest addition, is in the running for the Best Building category at the 2025 Pineapples Awards. This comes just months after its official opening. The Pineapples Awards honour projects that positively impact people and places, focusing on welcoming buildings. The judging process is unique as 51 judges assess projects from professional and personal perspectives. They consider the social and environmental impact and how people from different backgrounds might experience the space. ARU Peterborough's The Lab was designed by Cambridge-based MCW architects and built by Morgan Sindall Construction. It houses engineering workshops, a microbiology lab, a tissue culture lab, teaching spaces, and the Living Lab. The timber building meets high environmental standards, saving more than 258 tonnes of CO2 emissions during construction. It has been rated Excellent by BREEAM, the leading global standard for building sustainability. Professor Ross Renton, principal of ARU Peterborough, said: "The University is already receiving national attention for our impact in improving access to education and raising skills levels in the region, and we're thrilled that our fabulous buildings are also being recognised." Lien Geens, associate director of MCW architects, said: "The most rewarding part of being an architect is seeing your buildings being used and loved by so many people. "The Lab's open and transparent nature reflects the commitment to creating a welcoming building that has a positive impact on both places and people." Recommended Reading: Duke of Edinburgh visits Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: "This nomination is a fantastic recognition of the ambition behind ARU Peterborough and the impact it's already having on our region. "The Lab is more than just a building – it's a gateway to opportunity, innovation, and community engagement." The winners will be announced at a ceremony in April. Keep up to date with the latest news across Peterborough by signing up to our newsletter email alerts here
