The two-stage design competition will select a lead architect team to bring the late 1960s Denys Lasdun-designed Norfolk and Suffolk Terraces back into use with a viable function suitable for the next half-century. Shortlisted teams will each receive a £10,000 (plus VAT) honorarium to develop concepts.
The winning team will work up RIBA Stage 3 plans – enabling full planning and listed building consent applications – to restore and convert the two Brutalist student hall structures, which have remained unused since closing amid safety concerns over reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC) two years ago.
According to the brief: ‘The University of East Anglia is inviting submissions from design teams interested in developing proposals to bring the closed iconic Grade II*-listed Ziggurat buildings back to life with a feasible and viable future use for at least the next 50 years.
‘Finding an affordable way forward that is able to achieve planning and listed building consent will not be easy and the condition and original design of the buildings are impacting the ability to occupy the buildings for their intended purpose or indeed any purpose. Funding the solutions will also present challenges.
‘Designers or design teams that participate in this competitive process will need to be prepared to take a flexible and collaborative approach to design development and will be expected to work closely with both internal and external stakeholders to the University.’
Founded in 1963, UEA occupies a 130ha campus on the western fringes of Norwich and is home to around 17,000 students. The landmark site includes a large Teaching Wall and several Ziggurat accommodation blocks designed by Lasdun.
Architype, Pick Everard, Feilden+Mawson, Arup Associates, Mather Associates, RMJM, Shepheard Epstein Hunter, LSI Architects and Hawkins\Brown have all completed buildings on the parkland campus. Its early core buildings were listed in 2003.
Purcell, Shepheard Epstein Hunter and Feilden+Mawson were selected by the university for a new £12.7 million construction consultancy services framework two years ago.
Officially known as Norfolk and Suffolk Terraces, the Denys Lasdun-designed blocks overlooking UEA’s central lake once accommodated around 600 students, who have been relocated to alternative sites. The university is home to a range of iconic buildings, including Norman Foster’s Grade II*-listed Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.
The latest competition seeks ‘visionary’ and ‘grounded’ concepts for the two distinctive stepped concrete student hall structures were completed around 55 years ago as key elements of Lasdun’s architectural vision for an integrated, cohesive campus on the fringes of the historic city.
Key aims of the project – planned to complete in 2023 – include achieving an 85 per cent improvement in thermal efficiency compared to the current baseline as well as improving accessibility and also providing at least 50 more years of design life for the buildings.
Entries may be submitted under two lots. The first lot is for refurbishment proposals and the second lot covers broader concepts including some new-build interventions.
Up to three teams will be shortlisted for the contest’s second stage with one from the first lot and two from the second lot. Round one will be evaluated 100 per cent on quality and final assessment will be on the basis of 70 per cent quality and 30 per cent cost.
Applicants must hold employer’s liability insurance of £10 million, public liability insurance of £10 million and professional indemnity insurance of £5 million.
Competition details
Project title UEA Ziggurats Revival – Design Team Appointment
Client University of East Anglia
Contract value Not stated (Stage 2 honorarium £10,000 per team)
First round deadline 5pm, 2 December 2025
Restrictions Open to architectural and multidisciplinary teams; proposals may be submitted to one or both lots
More information https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063033-2025
Q&A
Stephen Wells, UEA’s director of estates and facilities
Stephen Wells
Why are you launching a competition to find a new sustainable future for the UEA Ziggurats?
We’re inviting talented designers and engineers to bring forward their ideas for resolving the issues affecting the buildings. The purpose is to encourage visionary ideas as well as grounded thinking – there may be various ways to provide a viable and sustainable future for the Ziggurats and a design competition will enable these to be considered and developed, building upon the positive engagement already commenced with the Local Planning Authority and heritage consultees.
What is your vision for the future role of these landmark buildings?
Our vision is for the buildings to provide their occupants with an inspiring experience – of the campus, the landscape and the buildings themselves. The Ziggurats have provided this experience to countless students since the 1960s. Providing a viable and sustainable use for the buildings that meets the needs of the University whilst respecting the heritage significance is our objective.
What sort of teams would you like to see step forward for this unique opportunity?
We are looking for lead designers or design teams that understand the magnitude of both the opportunity and task, and who want to be part of shaping the future of the Ziggurats whilst respecting their history. We’ll expect designers to demonstrate how their vision and capabilities have shaped and delivered similar schemes.