Salford University's Centenary Building, once celebrated as Britain’s finest new building, is now slated for demolition. Designed by Hodder and Partners, this glass and steel structure claimed
the inaugural Stirling Prize in 1996, recognized as “a dynamic, modern and sophisticated exercise in steel, glass, and concrete.” However, it has been unoccupied for the last eight years, with the university stating that "its ageing infrastructure no longer meets modern standards and requirements."
After careful deliberation, the University of Salford announced its decision to proceed with the demolition, despite architect Stephen Hodder’s disappointment. Hodder suggested that, given the current focus on climate change and sustainability, the building could instead be adapted for new uses. "We should go to great lengths to see how we can adapt existing buildings," he remarked.
The demolition is part of a larger redevelopment plan by Salford City Council, although no timeline has been set. The Twentieth Century Society has argued for the building to be preserved, describing it as one of the finest structures to emerge from a surge in university construction. Originally planned to house the School of Electrical Engineering, it was repurposed mid-construction to serve the Faculty of Art and Design, and its innovative “internal street” design received accolades, earning a Civic Trust award in 1998.
Praised in 1996 for its environmentally conscious design, which avoided air conditioning in favor of natural ventilation and underfloor heating, the building also faced criticism. Former staff noted it could be uncomfortably hot in summer and cold in winter, with insufficient sound insulation amplifying noise from metal staircases.
Unused for nearly a decade, a 2018 proposal to convert the building into a primary school did not move forward. Reflecting on the building’s legacy, Hodder believes that, while some issues are present, they could be mitigated with modern environmental controls. "Are they so grave as to warrant demolition? I would argue not," he stated. Photo by Skip88, Wikimedia commons.