Award for centre named after first black NHS matron

The Daphne Steele building forms part of the university's National Health Innovation Campus

A university building named after the first black NHS matron has won an award for design excellence.

The Daphne Steele Building at the University of Huddersfield's won the Design Excellence Award at the Insider Yorkshire Property Awards.

The six-storey building is part of the National Health Innovation Campus, which encompasses teaching, research and community healthcare services.

University deputy vice-chancellor Professor Tim Thornton said: "The building represents our ambitious agenda superbly in its architectural innovation, outstanding quality, and immediate impact for our students and the wider community."

Opened in September 2024, the Daphne Steele Building is named after the Windrush-era nurse who settled in West Yorkshire after emigrating from Guyana, and became the first matron from the African-Caribbean community in the NHS.

The building was designed by architects AHR, who collected the award on 18 September along with members of the university team.

The Ramsden Building first opened in 1884

The University's Grade II listed Ramsden Building, which is currently being refurbished, was also among the winners.

Formerly home to much of the School of Human and Health Sciences, it won the Decarbonisation Project of the Year at the National Project Excellence Awards.

Opened in 1884 as part of the Huddersfield Technical School and Mechanics' Institute, planned renovations will reveal features of the building that have been hidden for the past 140 years.

Prof Thornton said: "The landmark refurbishment of Ramsden Building, which has been an important part of the University's work for over a century, highlights what is possible in building on a rich heritage of innovation and education, and at the same time achieving demanding carbon goals."

When the refurbishment is complete it will house the International Study Centre, the International Office and the Graduate School.

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