BANGOR University’s Pontio has scooped a prestigious architecture award.

It was given a Civic Trust Award at the 60th Anniversary Civic Trust Awards ceremony at the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester, on Friday, March 1.

The awards raise awareness of the important role played by architecture, landscape and urban design in enhancing the environment.

Pontio was one of 49 winners to receive recognition from 240 national and international applications.

It also made it through to the last eight shortlisted for the national award.

Leandro Rotondi, from Grimshaw architects, and who submitted the award application, said: “We’re delighted to receive this recognition for the Pontio project.

"Grimshaw’s design for Pontio unites Bangor University and the city of Bangor in a landmark scheme.

"The centre bridges the university’s upper and lower campuses via a stepped arrangement of public terraces that connect and flow into an ‘internal street.'

"This ‘street’ stems from a newly forged visual connection between the 1920s Memorial Arch through to the imposing Grade I listed Main Arts Building."

Within Pontio there are many adaptable environments with a range of indoor and outdoor performance spaces, including a 450-seat flexible theatre, a cinema and a studio theatre.

A 500-seat lecture theatre straddles the adaptable theatre and complements social learning spaces, the student’s union, an innovation that includes state of the art facilities for designing and making and food and drink outlets.

Judges commented that Pontio was “a well worked scheme on a difficult sloping site which has been developed to provide an inclusive use of spaces.”

Professor Jerry Hunter, Pro Vice Chancellor at Bangor University said: "Our aim in undertaking this project was to provide both the University and the local community alike with a first-class professional venue that would deepen our contribution to artistic, cultural and engagement activities, contribute to the regeneration of the city, build engagement between our academic community and local communities, and provide an access point into the wider University.”

Elen ap Robert, Pontio Artistic Director added: "We are delighted with the award.

"It is evident from audience attendances and arts participation, that Pontio has taken its place in the hearts of members of the community.

"This award is therefore also a tribute to those that have engaged with the building and its activities since opening."