The Bown Prize

Celebrating Design Excellence at Manchester School of Architecture

The Bown Prize for Outstanding Design Portfolio is an annual award presented by the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) established in 2010 in memory of my father, Cliff Bown - a passionate architect and proud MSA alumnus. The prize recognises exceptional design work by a Master of Architecture (MArch1) student.

Each year, the prize is awarded to a fifth-year student whose portfolio demonstrates design excellence, contextual sensitivity, and a strong personal voice. The prize not only acknowledges creativity and hard work but also encourages confidence in emerging architects.

Cliff Bown began his studies at Manchester School of Architecture in 1977 and graduated with a Diploma in Architecture in 1983. Throughout his career, he contributed extensively to residential and commercial projects, primarily within Manchester City Centre but also further afield. As Director of a respected local practice, he played a key role in shaping transformative developments across Manchester and the wider region.

He firmly believed in architecture’s ability to create better communities and improve people’s everyday lives. He was a mentor, a collaborator, and a thoughtful designer who valued context, practicality, and imagination.

With support from his colleagues, friends, and family, the Bown Prize was established to honour his memory. It supports future generations of architects by fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence - values my father embodied throughout his career.

The prize is also a way to give back to the institution that played a pivotal role in launching his career and shaping the person he became.

Through this award, we hope to inspire young architects to pursue their dreams with the same passion and dedication that Cliff showed throughout his life. His legacy lives on in every architect who benefits from this prize, continuing to impact the profession and community he loved.

Wentworth Pewter

We commissioned Wentworth Pewter to design a bespoke trophy that celebrates both the influence of architectural design principles and the importance of supporting local craftsmanship. Handcrafted in Sheffield by skilled artisans, the trophy is engraved with a line drawing of the Golden Section, derived from Fibonacci’s sequence - a ratio celebrated for its harmony, balance, and timeless beauty. Found in classical architecture from the Parthenon to modern design, the Golden Section reflects core principles of proportion and aesthetic order. By combining this with traditional metalworking, the trophy stands as a tribute to excellence in both design and local heritage.