Manchesters HOME for art and culture celebrates first year with double award
Recognised for world-class design and construction, the iconic development has won the RICS North West Award for Tourism and Leisure and was dubbed one of ten winners at the Royal Institute of British Architects North West Awards.
The accolades come just one year after Manchester City Councils HOME launched as the North Wests flagship centre for art and culture following the collaboration of the Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company.
Designed by Dutch architects, Mecanoo, and built by Wates Construction, HOME features a 500-seat theatre, a 150-seat flexible theatre, a 500 sq m and 4m high gallery space, five cinema screens, a café and restaurant.
Reserved for a development that makes an outstanding contribution to tourism and leisure, the RICS North West award was presented to the team in recognition of its place as a catalyst for economic activity in the region.
The RIBA award, presented by BBC 6 Musics Stuart Maconie, was reserved for developments that have achieved design excellence whilst reflecting changes and innovations in architecture.
Sheena Wrigley, our Executive Director, commented:
Were thrilled that HOME has won these two very prestigious architectural awards. Weve really enjoyed the productive and collaborative relationships across the board, which have made it possible to realise a project of this scale a fantastic team effort.
Here at HOME we really appreciate how MCC and Wates so highly valued our input during this journey, to create a cultural hub where we can present a diverse artistic programme spanning art, theatre and film, as well as a vibrant social space which has already attracted well over half a million visitors.
Following completion, HOME received a £30,000 grant from the Wates Family Enterprise Trust to fund the ongoing creation of sustainable training opportunities for the arts.
Tony Shenton, Business Unit Director of Wates Construction North West, commented:
“The collective vision for HOME was always to create a unique and outstanding development to showcase international art and culture and what has been accomplished since opening in 2015 is proof of the excellence that has been achieved here. I fully expect that the recent awards are just the start of the success that is yet to come for HOME, a development with which the team is extremely proud to have been involved.”
