Salford University’s Centenary Building, winner of the prestigious Stirling Prize in 1996, is set to be demolished after standing vacant for over eight years.
Initially praised as Britain’s best new building, with its “dynamic, modern, and sophisticated” use of steel, glass, and concrete, the building is now considered outdated by the university, which cites its aging infrastructure as a barrier to meeting modern standards.
The Centenary Building, designed by architect Stephen Hodder, was an innovative structure, incorporating natural ventilation and underfloor heating instead of air conditioning—features that were groundbreaking for environmental design in the 1990s.
However, it struggled with practical issues, such as ineffective climate control and a lack of sound insulation, which impacted users’ comfort.
Hodder has expressed disappointment at the demolition plans, advocating for adaptation rather than destruction, given environmental concerns around carbon impact and the potential benefits of preserving older buildings.
Campaigners from the Twentieth Century Society, who argue for the building’s listing as a heritage structure, highlight its status in Architect’s Journal as “the best building to emerge from the new university building boom of recent years.”
Despite attempts to repurpose the space, such as a 2018 proposal to convert it into a primary school, no plans materialized.
The proposed demolition is part of a broader redevelopment scheme by Salford City Council, though a timeline has yet to be announced.
Hodder believes that with modern updates, the building’s environmental and acoustic challenges could be mitigated, questioning whether its current issues truly warrant demolition.
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