York St John University Creative Centre
Location: York
Architect: Tate & Co
2022
The Creative Centre for York St John University is a low-energy building that provides a permanent new home for the University’s music and computer science courses, featuring specialist spaces for performance, creative writing and media production students.
Three main concepts formed the foundation of the design approach. First, it is a genuinely sustainable building, both in operational and embodied carbon terms, with a substantial timber frame and simple climate control.
Second, the main atrium space unites all the building elements together, reflecting the latest thinking in higher education to create ‘third spaces’ for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Finally, the Centre makes the most of its proximity to York Minster connecting the University to the heritage of the surrounding city. Throughout the atrium, recital hall and critical listening room, views to the Minster are carefully framed, reinforcing this picturesque view across the stunning historic site.
