sbarc | spark

by Cardiff University

Client Hawkins\Brown

Award RIBA Wales Award 2024

Located within Cardiff University’s Innovation Campus, sbarc | spark is an educational building which reflects the university’s mission of ‘promoting and supporting high quality, cross-disciplinary research and innovative knowledge exchange activities’.

The 12,000 square metres of new workspaces, recreational areas, laboratories, exhibition spaces, and breakout zones are arranged around the ‘Oculus’ – a sculptural staggered staircase that forms the heart of the building. With their finely executed design, the architects have produced a place that exudes innovation and joy. The more dedicated and concentrated uses - such as offices, incubator units, and learning rooms - are placed around the perimeter, while the more collaborative functions cluster around the Oculus.

These spaces’ varied, well-considered fit-out options ensure that they all form a generous and flexible environment for learning, enterprise, and knowledge sharing.

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal

Contractor Bouygues

Structural & Civil Engineer Jacobs

MEP Engineer, Fire Engineer, Acoustic Engineer Arup

Project Management Gleeds

Planning Consultant DPP

Cost Consultant F&G

People Tracking Buro Happold

Gross internal area in m² 12,313