Architectural practice Hawkins\Brown has won a design competition to create a new civic square and student support centre for the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

The £60 million project forms a key part of the University's £200 million 'Masterplan', which aims to create a "world-class" campus for one of the UK's largest univerties.

Hawkins\Brown's design concept was selected by judges from seven shortlisted entries in the competition, which was run by UCLan in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

In total, 41 entries were received from across Europe for the creation of the civic square and student support centre.

Key features of Hawkins\Brown's proposal includes a biodiverse roof, LED lighting underfoot, a pavilion café bar and a large glass façade to generate "feelings of light, space and airiness". The practice also incorporated the idea of threads' to connect the University with the city.

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The practice will now produce a final proposal on the design, taking into account feedback from the judges. The design team includes landscape architects Plincke and lighting and art designers Jason Bruges.

The development, which is to be completed in 2019, will be project and cost managed by AECOM. BDP will provide a range of multi-disciplinary engineering services.

UCLan Vice-Chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: "This is a landmark project which will enhance Preston's landscape, and all the shortlisted architects provided a skilled and unique response.

"We'd like to thank everyone who submitted feedback as the comments helped shape the judging panel's final decision, and it was Hawkins\Brown's winning design concept which drew the most positive attention. The public particularly liked the curved glass façade and the idea of the pavilion café bar, supporting the use of the square for all."

Roger Hawkins, Partner at Hawkins\Brown, added: "We are tremendously excited about getting started on this project, testing some of our initial design ideas with students and staff from UCLan and with people from the city of Preston."

(LM/CD)