A Building as a Catalyst for Engineering Education
In 2014, Mecanoo was selected to design an innovative engineering complex for the University of Manchester. This large-scale project encompasses four engineering faculties – Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, and Department of Materials – as well as two research institutes within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. The total complex covers 81,000 m².
As the project architect, I played a key role from the competition phase through to the design and construction process. My primary focus was on exploring and developing new ways to utilize educational spaces.
The success of this university complex lies in its design, which is entirely tailored to serve the engineering faculty and its students. These buildings stand out from the rest of the campus due to their innovative character and the way engineering is made visible and tangible throughout the space. The complex functions as a dynamic workshop, encouraging students to experiment, explore, and learn by doing.
This forward-thinking concept was made possible through close collaboration with academics who had a clear vision for the future of education. As a designer, this allowed me to introduce new spatial concepts. Theoretical and practical spaces seamlessly merge, fostering a new way of teaching. The layout of certain classrooms redefines the role of the teacher—no longer standing in front of students, but alongside them as a mentor. Additionally, the complex offers a variety of informal study areas—ranging from focused workspaces to collaborative and social zones—giving students the freedom to choose an environment where they feel most comfortable.
Even the corridors contribute to the learning experience: they are no longer just passageways from A to B but spaces for both intentional and spontaneous encounters, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration.
For me, this engineering complex is a prime example of how architecture can drive innovation in education and enhance human development.
All rights to this video belong to "University of Manchester". The video is shared solely in support of my work.