University of Sheffield building shortlisted for architecture award

The University of Sheffield building The Wave has been nominated for a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Yorkshire Award 2025.

Other projects shortlisted are the remodelling of the historic building Hull Minster and the local, sustainable and ‘futuristic’ AESSEAL Factory for the Future in Rotherham.

The Wave, housing the social sciences department, is the university’s first net-zero building – with roof solar panels providing electricity and ground source heat pumps providing heat and cooling systems in the respective seasons.

RIBA Yorkshire Jury Chair Gayle Appleyard, Director of Gagarin Studio said: “The Yorkshire region is home to a wonderful mix of people across cities, towns and rural communities, so it’s encouraging to see such diversity reflected in this year’s shortlist.

“It’s brilliant to see the sensitivity and ambition manifest in all these shortlisted projects that evidently create inspiring, sustainable places in which to live, work, learn and play.”

HLM Architects, which has studios in Sheffield and throughout the UK, drew up the building with sustainability at the core of the project.

The University of Sheffield aims to meet its sustainability goals by 2030, reaching net zero overall in their Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

Construction on the £65m building began in the summer of 2019 and, after being demolished and rebuilt after foundation concerns, it was later officially opened at an event in November 2023.

The RIBA honour will not be the Wave’s first chance at an award, the building winning the Social Infrastructure Project of the Year at the British Construction Industry Awards in 2024.

Featured image via Google Maps