Star architect, who studied at Essex, has been picked for ’multi-million pound’ building

Architect Daniel Libeskind has been chosen to design a landmark building for Essex University to house a new international democracy and conflict resolution institute.

The star architect, who designed the masterplan for the new World Trade Center in New York, will design a “multi-million pound” building for the new Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution (IDCR) at the University’s Colchester Campus. Libeskind studied for a Master’s degree in the history and theory of architecture at the University of Essex in the 1970s.

The building will provide accommodation for researchers, training, lectures, seminars and consultancy activities, and contain a room designed to enable participants to take part in simulated court proceedings.

Professor Todd Landman, director of the IDCR, said: “We are delighted that Daniel Libeskind has been chosen to design the iconic building we need to expand and develop our embryonic work. The building will evoke a powerful reaction from visitors, while conveying the seriousness and purpose of an international institute.”

Daniel Libeskind said: “I consider it an honour to be involved in a project with such visionary humanitarian objectives. I have always believed that democratic openness and conflict resolution is critical not only in the political sphere but in the making of architectural space.”

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