Exclusive: New Milton Keynes University building will be based around a 'giant friendship bead'

The design, inspired by the famous Infinite Corridor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was chosen today from a shortlist of entries following a competition open to architects from all over the globe.

It was drawn up by Hopkins Architects, who say they created an 'open quarter with a bold new urban frontage made up of a series of orthogonal academic pavilions.’ This echoes the ’format of the original MK vision with calm super-rational buildings surrounded by greenery.’

At the heart of the building will be a forum featuring a drum-shaped, red lecture theatre within the glass entrance lobby. This is ’reminiscent of a giant friendship bead', which is welcoming to students, visitors and locals, say Hopkins.

Architects were set a first phase budget of £188 million in the competition.

The new uni, to be called MK:U, will be built on 10h/a of unused land close to CMK rail station. It will take 15,000 students and the frist phase will be complete in four years' time.

The uni is a joint project between Cranfield University and Milton Keynes Council and will focus on vocational and STEM subjects such as digital, robotics and artifical intelligence.