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North-west England's best buildings revealed

Laura O'Neill
BBC News
Riba A modern brown building with exposed staircases surrounded by greenery and flowers.Riba
Judges say the Catkin Centre and Sunflower House in Liverpool "infused humanity and care in its design"

A major entertainment venue, a children's mental health clinic, a university learning centre and a private home have been named by experts as the north-west of England's best-designed buildings.

They were recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) at an awards ceremony on Wednesday.

"The award-winning projects present a diverse example of the positive impact architecture can have on the lives of its users," said Riba's Dominic Wilkinson, who is also a principal lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.

The north-west's winners will be considered for Riba's national awards, which will be announced on 10 July. The overall winner for 2025 will receive the Stirling Prize.

Riba Four students stand in a large room with floor to ceiling windows and yellow columns. A small car and a robotic arm are on display.Riba
The School of Science, Engineering and Environment building at the University of Salford was recognised for combining workshops and laboratories with social spaces

Mr Wilkinson said the region's four shortlisted buildings all "illustrate the value for clients and the public in commissioning quality architecture".

He added: "The winners range from large cultural venues delivering world-class innovative creative programmes to state-of-the-art education facilities training future engineers.

"These projects... demonstrate a positive future for architecture in the region."

Riba The white geometric Aviva Studis can be seen between warehouses, at the front of the picture, and the Manchester skyline at the back.Riba
Judges said Aviva Studios Factory International rose to the challenge of creating a space that hosts "ambitious and highly original arts events"

The Catkin Centre and Sunflower House in Liverpool was recognised by judges for the way it "infused humanity and care in its design".

The University of Salford's school of science, engineering and environment building was celebrated for combining specialist workshops and laboratories with flexible social spaces.

Aviva Studios Factory International in Manchester was given an award for rising to the challenge of creating a space that hosts "ambitious and highly original arts events that required an unprecedented adaptability".

The north-west's top prize, however, went to Vestige, described by judges as a modest and discreet suburban family home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, "designed with contemporary spaces full of detail and surprise".

Riba A modern house that looks like two square building pushed together. The top half of the exterior is dark brown, the bottom half is made up of large windows. The building on the left has a flat roof while the building on the right has a slight diagonal slant.Riba
Modern family home, Vestige, has been named as the north-west of England's building of the year

Riba president Muyiwa Oki said: "Our 2025 winners show a deep sensitivity to place and a strong coherence of thought between all teams involved.

"Individually these projects inspire and uplift. Collectively, they remind us that architects do far more than design buildings - they shape the way we live, work and connect."

The shortlist for the Stirling Prize will be drawn from all of the national award-winning projects.

Read more stories from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X.

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