Following an international competition to select the architect, this project converts and extends the former residence and grounds of a succession of Manchester University Vice-Chancellors to form a conference and teaching centre for the University.

The buildings are closely set in extensive parkland, developed 150 years ago as a botanical garden. The provision of an exceptional landscape setting was always seen as a key objective during the design process. Livingston Eyre worked closely with the architects to create a new landscape not only in keeping with the conversion of the existing, listed house, but also to reflect the demands of a modern extension. The layout of the car park was carefully crafted to accommodate 100 cars, access and servicing within a framework of existing mature trees.

Winning a Civic Trust Award in 1998, part of the commendation reads:
"The project takes many of its design clues from the historic evolution of the site, but the new additions are conceived with real imagination and the complex reveals many delightful corners and new spaces inside and out."