A New Home Completed for Architectural Education at the University of York
We’re proud to celebrate the completion of the new York School of Architecture (YSA), a thoughtful transformation of the University’s Piazza Building that has reimagined existing spaces to create a purpose-built home for architectural education.
Designed and delivered by our architecture and interiors teams, the project shows how existing buildings can be reused and reimagined to create inspiring, sustainable places to learn. The result is a flexible and welcoming environment that supports creativity, collaboration, and innovation for the next generation of architects.
The school includes open-plan studios, a model-making workshop, exhibition areas, and social spaces, all designed to build a sense of community and shared creativity. The interiors, led by Senior Interior Designer Laura Anne Fisher, have played a key role in shaping the atmosphere of the school, bringing in plenty of light and encouraging connection and flexibility.
“This has been a fantastic opportunity to deliver a forward-thinking retrofit that puts both people and sustainability at its heart. By reimagining the existing building, together, we’ve created a flexible, welcoming learning environment that responds to how students and staff want to work, while minimising environmental impact.”
Associate Director
From the start, the project has been shaped by collaboration, with students, staff, and other stakeholders involved at every stage, from early workshops to open days. Their ideas and feedback helped make sure the new spaces truly reflect how people want to learn, work, and connect.
“It’s been wonderful to collaborate with the University again on such an exciting project for the practice. Having the opportunity to revisit and reimagine a scheme I originally delivered eight years ago has been immensely rewarding, the Piazza Building has adapted perfectly to its new role, supporting a vibrant new home for architectural education.”
Associate Director
The school officially opened its doors this autumn, coinciding with the launch of its new lecture series, ‘The Value of Design’, developed in collaboration with the York Architectural Association. The inaugural event, ‘Designing With, Not For’, explored the power of collaboration, negotiation and shared authorship, themes that resonate strongly with the ethos of both the school and the design approach behind its creation. Matt Borland joined Professor Lorraine Farrelly and Purcell on the opening panel, reflecting on how architecture gains value through collective creativity and engagement.