Aug 16 2005
Niall McLaughlin Architects have been selected as the winner of the Castleford Forum design competition.
The winning concept was chosen from a shortlist of six, which included: Bauman Lyons Architects; Feilden Clegg Bradley; Niall McLaughlin Architects; OMI Architects; Richard Murphy Architects; and Terry Pawson Architects.
Niall McLaughlin will now work up plans for the town's flagship building which will house a library, museum and gallery. The Forum will be a key project within a £50m regeneration of the town centre, which will see the development of a new supermarket, an extension to Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre, a new indoor market and residential apartments.
Councillor Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council and chair of the jury panel, said "I am confident that we have selected an architect who can design an iconic and exciting landmark building for Castleford. The new building has been a dream for so many people for such a long time so it is good to see it coming together at last." Niall McLaughlin said "We are delighted to have been chosen from an exceptionally strong shortlist of architects. Castleford is a really exciting town to be working in at the moment. They have chosen to lead their urban renewal using a new generation of British architectural talent. The Forum is a wonderful programme with strong roots in the local community. This is quite a treat for us."