One Elmwood, Queen’s University, Belfast

by Hawkins\Brown and RPP Architects

Client Queen’s University, Belfast

Award RIBA Northern Ireland Award 2025

The award winner tells us, "One Elmwood is a ‘home away from home’ for anyone studying at Queen’s. It consolidates a range of services into one location, so students can receive the help they need - whether it be financial or wellbeing support - without fear or judgement.

Queen’s University wanted an inclusive space that could support a range of student needs. The new student centre sits at the heart of the university campus, bringing together university services and the Students’ Union under one roof. It functions as a triage service, helping to break down barriers between different services available to students."

The jury says, "Key to that sense of welcome is how, in section, the floors step back away from the entrance. This allows the building's contents to be revealed to every visitor from the moment they walk through the door, helping and encouraging them to find what they need or, just as importantly, to discover what is on offer. At the end of the afternoon, when the jury visited, every part of the building was still busy – a testament to the project's success."

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal.

Contractor Felix O’Hare and Co

Structural, civil, flood risk Doran Consulting

MEP services consultant JCP Consulting

BREEAM consultant Cundall Johnston and Partners

Cost consultant Hood McGowan Kirk

Landscape architect David Clarke Landscapes

Planning consultant RPS

Fire consultant Socotec

Vertical transportation SVM Associates

BIM management Hawkins\Brown and RPP Architects

Gross internal area 11,076m²