The building, described by the judges as “totally 3D” beat 700 entries from 63 countries including a Dutch sheep stable, a Japanese house made entirely from wood and a Spanish rubbish dump to take the award at the inaugural World Architecture Festival in Barcelona.

Chairman of the international jury, Robert Stern, who replaced Sir Norman Foster at the last minute after one of his design’s was shortlisted for the final, said Grafton Architects had designed a building that fitted within the urban landscape but still stood out.

The judges felt the use of space, light and local materials captured the essence of the city and the desire of the university to be connected with its surroundings.

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