Stirling prize-winning architect lands commission for four buildings in 拢400m media village

Architect Wilkinson Eyre has been chosen to design four buildings for the BBC for its proposed move to Salford, Greater Manchester.

The practice, which has twice won the Stirling prize, beat Benoy and Make Architects to land the commission, after an invited competitive interview process.

Wilkinson Eyre was appointed by developer Peel Holdings, which owns the 200 acre mediacity:uk site in Salford where the broadcaster is hoping to move 1800 staff by 2010.

The architect will design four buildings for the BBC within the Benoy/Fairhurst Design masterplan for a 拢400m media city development, which was confirmed as preferred location by the BBC in July.

A source close to the scheme said the BBC asked for a separate design competition for its own buildings.

The source said: 鈥淭he BBC wanted a limited competition for the buildings they would use. Wilkinson Eyre will be designing two main offices for them, as well as studios that they will share with other companies within the development.鈥�

It is understood that Wilkinson Eyre, which declined to comment, has already started work on the designs.

A spokesperson for the BBC said the broadcaster had worked with Peel Holdings on the decision. She said: 鈥淲e have been fully consulted by Peel Holdings on the appointment of the architect for mediacity:uk and are very happy with the progress that has been made.鈥�

Wilkinson Eyre joins a list of high-profile architects commissioned to design buildings for the BBC including Foreign Office Architects, David Chipperfield and MacCormac Jamieson Prichard.