Manchester University appoints architects to £200m engineering campus

Manchester University has selected two architects, Mecanoo and Penoyre & Prasad, to design its planned £200m engineering campus.

The job is Dutch practice Mecanoo’s biggest-ever job in the UK, as part of a team including Penoyre & Prasad.

Construction is expected to start in 2015 and is due for completion in 2019.

Mecanoo starts working on the design this month, supported by Penoyre & Prasad, Buro Four, Sweett, Aecom, Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture, Buro Happold and Arup.

Francine Houben, creative director of Mecanoo, said: “We look forward to working with the University of Manchester to develop a facility that promotes modern, world-leading teaching, learning and research.

“Planning will focus on creating a gateway between the city centre of Manchester and the university campus and increasing the accessibility of the campus for the local community.”