Stirling prize-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBS) have developed an award-winning reputation for sustainable design and innovation and a strong track record in education and community buildings. The practice is at the forefront of innovative housing design, from inner city social housing to new suburban neighbourhoods, and is working on a series of substantial urban regeneration projects throughout the UK and abroad. Education projects from nurseries through to universities account for approximately half of FCBS's portfolio, a demonstration of the practice's commitment to the creation of excellent spaces for teaching and learning. Connecting the three projects in Education Architecture Urbanism is a new appreciation of the role of the university in the urban environment, and the ability of higher education buildings to fulfil a crucial role in the social, economic and environmental aspects of urban regeneration. Broadcasting Place in Leeds comprises academic offices and teaching spaces for Leeds Metropolitan University, a Baptist Church and 240 student residences in a landmark building rising to 23 storeys. It won the title of "Best Tall Building in the World" awarded by the Chicago-based Centre for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, in 2010. Manchester Metropolitan University Business School is at the forefront of green building development in the city. The 23,000 square metre building incorporates a new Faculty as well as a cross-University facility for 5,000 students and 250 staff including student services, catering, social learning zones and IT drop-in spaces. On a riverside site in Worcester city centre, The Hive will be a highly sustainable building and the first joint-use library in the UK, serving the University of Worcester and providing frontline services for local city residents. Education Architecture Urbanism: Three University Projects underlines FCBS' profound understanding of the need to create social communities in education buildings, an architecture that inspires learning, and an urban environment that embraces universities as a focus for socio-economic regeneration.
