Sainsbury Laboratory Named World's Best Learning Building
Cambridge University's Sainsbury Laboratory has been acclaimed as the World's Best Learning Building 2011.
The accolade came at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, where it beat off competition from a shortlist of 17 entries.
Designed by Stanton Williams architects, the 11,000 square metre plant science research centre is set in the university's Botanic Garden.
The judges said: "This project connects building and landscape in a poetic and meaningful way. It is beautifully considered in terms of its human scale, and for activities for research and learning. The choice of materials displays a profound tactile sense."
The laboratory will eventually accommodate 120 world-leading scientists studying plant development and diversity.
Michael Bienias, director of estate management for the university, said: "This marvellous and well-deserved award is testament to Stanton Williams's design work but also to the crucial and excellent collaborative work of the whole project team."
