A LANDMARK university building in York has added another award to its trophy cabinet.

York St John University’s £15.5 million De Grey Court building has scooped the city’s Lord Mayor’s York Design Award.

It has already been shortlisted for a number of awards, and in May won a Royal Institute of British Architects award.

The building is in a prominent position on the corner of Lord Mayor’s Walk, close to York’s medieval walls and York Minster, and acts as a gateway between the university and the city.

It comprises a 150-seat lecture theatre, a boardroom, a series of seminar and teaching spaces, and specialist teaching environments, including a kitchen space used by students on the occupational therapy course. The building, which was designed by leading architect Charles Thomson of Rivington Street Studio Architects, blends a range of forms, styles and high-quality materials, and incorporates a pair of Georgian-style listed buildings, to create a dynamic and strong visual statement for both the city and for York St John.

The complex design also meets modern standards for energy efficiency, environmental quality and sustainability.

The York Design Awards criteria are based on consideration of design and detail, context, materials, workmanship and sustainability and the Lord Mayor’s Award is awarded for an exceptional scheme. Judges are eminent in their fields of architecture, planning and conversation.

Dianne Willcocks, the university’s vice-chancellor, said: “This is a fantastic recognition by the city of this important addition to the community’s architectural heritage.

“We travelled a difficult road to gain planning approval and support for this contemporary and controversial building, but the end result has been very well worth the effort and we feel honoured to have received this prestigious award.”

Colin Parkin, the university’s director of facilities, who led the project said: “This build has been a real team effort to support the delivery of Charles Thomson’s architectural vision.

“The project team, engineers, contractors and suppliers have all contributed positively to the delivery of the scheme which has been so well received by our partners, local user groups, students and staff. This award underlines De Grey Court’s enormous success.”