#9 University of Nottingham: The Gateway Building

Nottingham, UK

Kick starting stage one of a 20-year master plan for the University of Nottingham, The Gateway Building encompasses the strong agricultural history and sustainability policy of the campus.

Designed by award-winning international practice, Makearchitects, the building was crafted from prefabricated modular straw bale panels inspired by the rhythm of the adjacent line of trees to the area. The straw used was harvested from a site just 200m away from the university's own farmland.

Through locally sourcing the materials and implementing a panel that spanned the length of all four floors in one piece, the concept was quickly taken from idea to reality in just 10 short weeks - making this both a cheap and quick construction.

Additionally, the main entrance features a collection of 'truth windows' and clear perspex sheets have been used to provide an unobstructed view of the distinctive straw bales on the exterior.