---
title: Maple project at MMU’s School of Digital Arts wins RIBA award
description: Maple's innovative LED-lit perforated panel façade helped Manchester Metropolitan University's School of Digital Arts win a RIBA North West Award. Read more.
---

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# [Maple project at MMU’s School of Digital Arts wins RIBA award](https://maplefacades.co.uk/news-and-insights/soda-building-riba-award)

 Written by [Jake Dunn](https://maplefacades.co.uk/news-and-insights/author/jake-dunn) | 15/06/23 08:22

Maple’s innovative LED-lit perforated panel façade has helped Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Digital Arts (SODA) win a RIBA North West Award for 2023. 

 

The awards recognise buildings of architectural significance and take place within each region before the national awards.

 

It’s the second year-in-a-row that a Maple project has claimed a RIBA award, after our brise soleil system on the Welcome Building at [RHS Garden Bridgewater](https://maplefacades.co.uk/news-and-insights/rhs-garden-bridgewater-nomination) was singled out in 2022.

 

The judges called the SODA building ‘unique’ and praised the way the project was delivered with a ‘clear vision and to a high standard’.

 

More than 3,000 sq m of [rainscreen cladding](https://maplefacades.co.uk/aspect-rainscreen-cladding) covers the exterior of the five-storey building, with a series of [perforated panels](https://maplefacades.co.uk/news-and-insights/arle-court-transport-hub-cheltenham) accommodating LED lighting that can be programmed to create spectacular displays.

 

SODA was officially opened in June 2022 by Oscar-winning film director Danny Boyle. The building represents a £35m investment into the next generation of creative content by bringing together disciplines including animation, UX design, photography, sound design, gaming, and AI.

 

### Knowledge centre

- [What materials can be used on rainscreen cladding systems?](https://maplefacades.co.uk/knowledge/rainscreen-cladding-materials)
- [How much do architectural façades cost?](https://maplefacades.co.uk/knowledge/how-much-do-architectural-facades-cost)
- [What is rainscreen cladding and how does it work?](https://maplefacades.co.uk/knowledge/what-is-rainscreen-cladding-and-how-does-it-work)
- [Do rainscreen cladding systems need to be thermally efficient?](https://maplefacades.co.uk/knowledge/do-rainscreen-cladding-systems-need-to-be-thermally-efficient)

[View full post](https://maplefacades.co.uk/news-and-insights/soda-building-riba-award)

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