Bennetts Associates’ Potterrow Development for the University of Edinburgh received the British Council for Offices’ much coveted National Corporate Workplace Award last night at a ceremony in London.
Judges described the scheme as “eye-wateringly beautiful”, commending Bennetts Associates for successfully merging an interactive learning environment and an outstanding office building. Potterrow also won the Scotland Regional Award in the same category.
The project’s design gained praise for its contribution to the campus as a whole, creating an addition to the site in Edinburgh that respects its historic World Heritage surroundings, whilst also making a confident, uplifting architectural statement. Judges heaped further praise on the practice adding: “that to achieve this under such pressure is a tremendous achievement.” The project has already gained exemplary sustainable credentials, achieving a BREEAM “excellent” rating.
The use of materials and colour in the project’s interior creates a calm yet inspirational working environment. Key to the building’s success is the large break out spaces which encourages informal interaction between users and increasing the building’s feel of openness.
John Miller, Director of Bennetts Associates said: “We are delighted with this latest award. Potterrow is incredibly important for both the University and Scotland, helping to attract the best minds from around the world, so it was vital that the building works to stimulate research and learning.”
Instead of making faculty rooms that are custom-made for the first occupier, with attendant problems of inflexibility and redundancy, Bennetts Associates’ design creates versatile, sustainable office space with future use in mind. This robust design ensures the building can adapt to any future “occupiers” and the ways in which they would require to use to the building.
List of previous awards for the Potterrow Development2009
Scottish Design Award – Public Building Award
Scottish Design Award – Chairman’s Award for Architecture
RIBA Regional Award
RICS Scotland Sustainability Award
RICS Scotland Project of the Year Award
Edinburgh Architectural Association Building of the Year, (Commended)
BCO Regional Award for Best Corporate Office Building 2008
RIAS Andrew Doolan Prize - Best Building in Scotland