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March 2017
Node has been awarded practice of the year at the Urban Design Group’s National Urban Design Awards in London last night. The Birmingham based practice were recognised for their work on the Knowledge Hub project in collaboration with Birmingham City University’s School of Architecture and Design and Co.Lab. The project was shortlisted to the final four entries by an expert panel, with the winning entry chosen by popular vote.
The innovative city centre project, which takes in the proposed HS2 terminus as well as a dynamic mix of education providers and some of Birmingham’s most significant heritage, has created a new benchmark for collaboration between private practice and academic institutions with practitioners, academic staff and students working together to create a design that is truly informed by the end user.
The scheme also links to Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse project which was backed with a £14 million funding package from government to create a creative innovation centre in the Digbeth area. The centre will bring together academics, artists and designer in a bid to support creative SMEs, boost jobs.
Coverage of the project has led to a range of high profile town and city-centre masterplanning schemes around the country for Node, as well as resulting in the team featuring on national radio and television news, commenting on the future of Birmingham following the granting of Royal Assent for HS2 on 23 February 2017.
Nigel Wakefield, Node’s managing director said: “We are delighted to have been recognised as practice of the year as we approach our sixth anniversary. In that time we have grown a sustainable, design led and commercially astute business with a diverse range of public and private sector clients across our skills of urban design, landscape and heritage. This award will help us to continue to grow our team, both in Birmingham and around the country; and ultimately to realise our ambitious growth strategy.”
“The Knowledge Hub project has been an incredible opportunity for us” said Node director Katie Kershaw. “We are enormously grateful to our collaborator clients Birmingham City University and Co.Lab for the opportunity to work on a project of international significance. We would like to thank the judges for shortlisting us and the public for choosing the Knowledge Hub as their winner.”
Alessandro Columbano, Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University, said: “The Eastside of Birmingham will be a key area of growth and cultural significance with the arrival of HS2 and other infrastructure projects set to take place. The Knowledge Hub is a much-needed vision to really bring all these elements together and transform this part of the city whilst protecting the cultural assets and inspiring arts organisations located there. Everyone involved should be delighted with this award as we look forward to develop the proposals further.”
