“Architectural triumph” wins big and now eyes national prize

Manchester’s Aviva Studios, has just been named one of the North West’s most outstanding buildings, picking up a 2025 RIBA North West Award – and it’s now in the running for a national accolade later this year.

The striking riverside space,  home to Factory International and the Manchester International Festival, was designed by world-renowned architects OMA, and stands as a bold, futuristic symbol of the city’s creative ambition.

2025 RIBA North West Award

Described by RIBA as a masterclass in ‘technical virtuosity’, the building wowed judges with its ability to host everything from an orchestra to a full-blown club night,  sometimes simultaneously, without a single note of sound spilling between rooms.

Built in a tightly packed corner of the city centre, hemmed in by railway arches and the Science and Industry Museum, not to mention the River Irwell, and Manchester’s rapidly changing skyline, designing the site was far from simple.

But OMA’s solution was so impressive that the jury called it a triumph over one of the most challenging locations imaginable.

Time Magazine names Aviva Studios in the world’s top 50 places to visit

This isn’t the first time Aviva Studios has turned heads globally. Last year, TIME magazine named it one of the world’s top 50 places to visit, rubbing shoulders with hotspots in Hawaii, Morocco and Chile – the only UK entry to make the list.

Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Aviva Studios has already made a big impact on the cultural scene in Manchester. Being recognised by RIBA with a regional award is brilliant news and a testament to the building’s unique design.

“Architects OMA have helped us create a landmark new building for culture and the arts in the UK right here in the heart of Manchester – a building that’s winning plaudits across the world and attracting thousands of new visitors to the city.”

The venue’s flexible, genre-bending design reflects the energy of the city it represents. From live music and immersive art to dance, theatre and experimental events, Aviva Studios is fast becoming Manchester’s beating cultural heart.

Dominic Wilkinson, Chair of the RIBA North West Jury, said the winning buildings this year are a “diverse example of the positive impact architecture can have on the lives of its users,” celebrating everything from major cultural landmarks to carefully considered homes.

Aviva Studios is now in the running for a RIBA National Award

Aviva Studios will now go head-to-head with other regional winners for a RIBA National Award, to be announced on 10th of July. If it makes that list, it could also be in the running for the RIBA Stirling Prize, the biggest honour in British architecture.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki summed up the spirit of this year’s winners: “These projects remind us that architects do far more than design buildings – they shape the way we live, work and connect.”

With its bold design, world-class programming, and unmistakably Mancunian attitude, Aviva Studios is leading that charge – and the world is watching.

You can find out more about what’s on at Aviva Studios by clicking here