DPP’s Cardiff office has won the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Wales Award for Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy for Cardiff University’s Sbarc building.
DPP Secured planning consent for Cardiff University’s Spark|Sbarc building, which stands as the world’s first social science research park, seamlessly blending academic inquiry with commercial innovation over 12,000 square meters. Serving as a dynamic nexus for academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, it houses a multitude of research centres and labs dedicated to advancing knowledge and effecting positive societal change.
Designed by Hawkins Brown, the building which evokes a stack of books on the exterior and showcases a central oculus staircase within, epitomises excellence in design, and was recognised by the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) earlier this year for its achievement. Constructed by Bouygues and project managed by Gleeds, the finished scheme successfully meets the client brief of fostering collaboration.
In presenting the award, the judges said:
An excellent development that has created a high-quality building that brings together different organisations working in the social sciences, with good location and an effective use of brownfield land. It demonstrates the strong collaboration between client, planning, design and construction teams and the planning authority linked with consultation and engagement with stakeholders, potential users and community through the design and build phases. Overall an outstanding development project on all criteria.
Speaking about the award, DPP CEO and Cardiff Director, Gareth Hooper said:
This was a fascinating project to be involved in and the completed building perfectly captures the original vision. Forming part of the wider Innovation Campus, the Sbarc project was a true collaboration across multiple clients, designers and technical specialists forming a concurrent application with the adjoining building. The building is stunning inside and out, but the greatest achievement is the way in which the it facilitates collaboration through the space that it has created. I am delighted it is getting the recognition it deserves.
Having won the Wales award, the project now proceeds to the National Awards for Planning Excellence held on 26th November.
The full list of the Royal Town Planning Institute Wales Award winners is available here.
Image Credits: Cardiff University and Will Scott
