RHS Bridgewater Welcome Building wins top RIBA regional prize

Designed by Manchester-based Hodder + Partners, the Salford project has been named North West Building of the Year by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The RHS Bridgewater Welcome Building had been praised by judges for having “landscape renewal and sustainability at its heart”. They also said the building “embodies post-pandemic offerings for social engagement and wellbeing through an intelligently delivered solution to amenity”.

The Welcome Building was chosen for the top regional honour from a list of six esteemed projects, which included OMI Architects’ work on The Old Library in Liverpool and Feilden Fowles’ transformation of The Fratry at Carlisle Cathedral.

Inside the welcome building by Hodder+Partners. Credit: Peter Cook

RHS Bridgewater was a team effort, with BAM Construct as the main contractor. RoC Consulting was the structural engineer for the project and Hoare Lea was the environmental and M&E engineer.

Tom Stuart-Smith was the landscape architect, while Arcadis provided both quantity surveying and project management services.

“Winning a regional Building of the Year Award is a major achievement,” said RIBA President Simon Allford.

“Across the country projects have been selected for this accolade because they are exemplars of the very best of innovative, intelligent and delightful design.

“The results of positive collaboration between architect and client, and design team and contractor, they demonstrate that high quality, sustainable architecture can positively impact the lives of the people that engage with it.”

The Welcome Building by Hodder+Partners. Credit: Peter Cook