2022 marks the iconic Palatine Centre’s tenth anniversary.
The Palatine Centre is one of the most recognisable buildings on campus and is currently home to a variety of Professional Services teams as well as the University’s Law School.
View from the Palatine Centre
When it opened in 2012, the Palatine Centre brought together careers, counselling, disability, immigration and financial support services, providing a hub that made these previously spread-out facilities much more easily accessible for students.
At the time, then-Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Higgins told Palatinate:
The Palatine Centre serves all student groups across the full student life cycle from recruitment, through to admissions, enrolment, study progression, examination and graduation, to employment and alumni status.
The building itself, designed by PH Partnership Architects, incorporates sustainable energy technology sources such as solar panels and air source heat pumps, and was awarded a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for its sustainability as a result.
The Palatine is also home to an impressive collection of artworks, incorporating pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore, among many others. Art tours are available on request – email art.collection@durham.ac.uk for more information.
Crystal Forms - Re-imaged in 2012 by David Venables (b1943)
Towards the end of each academic year, look out for the addition of works by members of our own student community, with the entries for the University’s Student Art Prize going on display.
Now in its fourth year, the competition is generously supported by Durham Alumni, including founding sponsor Richard Roberts, namesake of the £1,500 ‘Richard Roberts Prize’.
Elvet Colliery - Metal Relief Sculpture by Peter Sales (2012)
This year’s theme is ‘Sanctuary’ and there are eight cash prizes available in total.
If you pop along to the Palatine to check out the architecture or indeed the art, you’ll get a warm welcome at the Circolo Restaurant, famed for its homemade pizzas and tempting cakes.