Cohen Quad wins Architecture MasterPrize award

Exeter’s multi-award-winning Cohen Quadrangle received a Best of Best Award in the Educational Buildings category at the Architecture MasterPrize 2021 Architecture Awards.  

Now in its sixth year, the Architecture MasterPrize (AMP) is a global award that recognises design excellence, creativity, and innovation in the disciplines of architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture to advance the appreciation of architecture worldwide.

Cohen Quad was designed by Alison Brooks Architects and opened in January 2017. It provides cutting-edge research and teaching space, including the Neil Blair Special Collections Reading Room and the FitzHugh Auditorium, student accommodation, and social spaces such as the Dakota Café and the Learning Commons.

On receiving news of the award, Rector Professor Sir Rick Trainor said: ‘Both personally, and on behalf of Exeter, I would like to send huge congratulations to all the team at Alison Brooks Architects on another well-deserved achievement for this magnificent building.’

AMP Head of Communications David Tera commented: ‘We were blown away by the quality of AMP entries this year. The level of ingenuity showcased in the projects was both impressive and inspiring. This year’s winners have shown exceptional talent and have set a new benchmark for architectural design. The AMP jurors were pleased to see how many of the projects emphasised sustainability, offering solutions to our ever-changing world and environmental challenges, proving that innovative design goes beyond aesthetics.’ 

This latest award joins the multiple national and international prizes Cohen Quad has received, including two Education Estates Awards, a prestigious Civic Trust Award 2021, a World Architecture Festival Award in 2018 and a UK Roofing Award in 2017.

See the complete list of 2021 winners on the Architecture MasterPrize website.

Exterior view of Cohen Quad from above Worcester Place