MANCHESTER'S Civil Justice Centre - nicknamed the `filing cabinet' - has been nominated for a coveted architecture prize.
It is on a shortlist of six buildings for the Stirling Prize, given annually to the building that makes the greatest contribution to British architecture.
Designed by Australian architects Denton Corker Marshall and developed by Allied London, it is noted for its environmentally sustainable design including natural ventilation and groundwater cooling.
The centre is an integral part of the 10-year, £500m regeneration project that transformed a 22-acre area from Deansgate to the River Irwell into Spinningfields. Offices are occupied by M.E.N. Media, Royal Bank of Scotland, Deloitte, HSBC and Grant Thornton, among others.
Property developer Michael Ingall masterminded the facelift, now worth an estimated £1.5bn.
He said: "The strategy was to focus on city centres where we could pick up cheap assets in run down areas; almost creating something out of nothing."
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Justice Centre in line for award
July 30, 2008
Environmentally sustainable design
Showing comments 1 to 5 and replies | View All
Manchester Dale, Manchester (30/07/2008 at 08:21)
Why can't we have modern contemporary buildings that sit well with their environment like the Gherkin or Canary Wharf do in London?
Pob Warby (30/07/2008 at 09:33)
And as for Canary Wharf, it had to start somewhere with one building...
But I love the way these buildings divide opinion, makes for a memorable, not bland cityscape.
Pob Warby (30/07/2008 at 11:08)
Mike S, Manchester (30/07/2008 at 13:54)
If you've ever been in it, the sense of space in the glass atrium by the lifts is incredible (the huge glass bit on the right of the picture). It's also a damn sight better than the old court building and its 70s nicotine-stained furniture and walls.
mancmanomyst, Wythenshawe (31/07/2008 at 00:10)
The Gherkin is dull - I don't know how anyone could prefer that to this ultra modern, unique building.
I wish that more of our recent developments were interesting like this one!