The Benzie Building extension to the Manchester School of Art, provides an engaging and lively environment for students and staff to work and study and has helped re-assert both the Art School and the University’s profile on the national stage. This major extension comprises of two key elements. The first is the Design Shed, the working heart of the building with energetic open studios, creative workshops and interactive teaching spaces. This hybrid environment is designed to encourage students to work alongside each other and enjoy the crossover of creative subjects happening all around. The second is a highly visible vertical gallery linking to the existing 1960s Chatham tower and promoting the School of Art to the University and the wider city. With its vast glazed façade, the building is an open gallery, proudly showcasing its students’ work to all who pass by: a ‘Window on the Arts’. The building celebrates the commonalities of art and design specialisms, breaking down traditional hierarchies to foster inspired collaboration between disciplines instead.