The Student Hub at Queen's Business School is among the 20 winners of the Royal Institute of British Architects' (RIBA) 2025 National Awards.

As well as being an honour in itself, the winners are automatically longlisted for the Stirling Prize, perhaps the best-known of all UK architecture awards, previously awarded to Hastings Pier; the New Library, Magdalen College, Cambridge; and the London 'Gherkin'.

It is the second major award won by the Queen's building in recent months. In May, the Student Hub was named Northern Ireland’s 'Building of the Year 2025' by the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA). At that time, the jury said:

"The new Student Hub at Queen’s Business School is an outstanding achievement in holistic design, skilfully responding to a sensitive site, a complex brief and Queen’s University’s sustainability ambition."

Designed by Belfast-based TODD Architects, the new-build is situated opposite the historic, Grade 2-listed Riddel Hall, within the Stranmillis Conservation Area. Designed to complement its mature woodland surroundings, the building offers plenty of views from the interior of the woodland canopy.

It was also intended to be an environmentally sensitive building and has achieved an 'Excellent' rating from the sustainable-building certification body, BREEAM. It's heated via geothermal energy from the surrounding sandstone sub-strate and also uses solar panels for energy. The result is an estimated 60%+ reduction in carbon emissions.

Swift bricks

The red brick and bronze exterior also incorporates 'swift bricks' to facilitate the nesting of these endangered birds. 

Elsewhere, the aesthetically pleasing design includes entrance colonnades, a triple-height atrium and feature stairwell, landscaped courtyard and a variety of beautiful teaching, learning and breakout spaces.

Dean and Head of Queen's Business School, Professor M N Ravishankar said:

"We couldn't be prouder. This latest award is recognition of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing the Student Hub to life. It's a gorgeous building to work and study in and it's gratifying that the architects have been recognised for the great job they did and for the way in which the building respects its natural environment."

Professor Michael Alcorn, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability at Queen's, said:

"We are delighted by this award. It’s a further demonstration of the ways in which we are embedding sustainability across all our work from teaching and research through to our operations - and doing so in innovative ways."

The shortlist for the Stirling Prize will be announced in September.

Media

Inquiries to Una Bradley u.bradley@qub.ac.uk