We’re thrilled to announce that Fablr is a finalist in the Manchester Culture Awards 2025!
This recognition is for our long-standing collaboration with The Modernist Society on The Modernist App, placing us in the running for the coveted Making it Happen – Best Business Partnership award.
A partnership built on concrete dreams
The Modernist Society, with their passionate dedication to the architecture of the 20th century, approached Fablr after hearing about Pinpoint; our innovative location-based mobile application framework.: The end result? A beautifully crafted, free mobile app that guides users through the UK’s incredible, and sometimes overlooked, modernist buildings and architecture.
This nomination could only have come about through a shared vision for making this app a reality. In a digital-first era, when ever more people are glued to their smartphones and TV’s, we decided to use this technology to help get people back outside. After all, the best way to explore architecture is to experience it in the moment whilst exploring the urban landscape.
Our team at Fablr, proudly based here in the North of England, got stuck in straight away. Thanks to a vital grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, we were able to use our Pinpoint app to rapidly prototype and release the app and begin early tests of these self-guided tours.
The result is a sleek, beautiful, user-friendly tool that doesn’t just show you where to go, but tells the unique stories of these concrete and glass masterpieces. From their sometimes humble beginnings to their current life, The Modernist App puts architectural history right into your hands, making walking tours across UK cities from Salford to Glasgow an engaging and educational experience.
Looking to the future, one tour at a time
One of the best things about The Modernist App is its potential. We designed it to be fully expandable, meaning future tours, cities, and buildings can be easily added by the team at The Modernist Society. This isn’t just a snapshot of modernism; it’s an ever-growing, dynamic guide to an architectural movement that shaped our cities.
Being shortlisted for this award feels like a massive win for us, celebrating not just the technology we built, but the wonderful partnership we have with The Modernist Society. We are deeply grateful for their trust and for the opportunity to help bring their ideas to life.
The big night awaits!
All roads now lead to the Manchester Deansgate Hotel on Saturday, 22nd November 2025, where the winners will be announced. Win or lose, being recognised alongside so many incredible cultural contributors in Manchester is a tremendous honour.
This project embodies everything we love to do: combining great design, smart technology, and a truly engaging concept to create something that benefits the public and celebrates our shared heritage. Here’s to collaboration, creativity, and the enduring beauty of modernist architecture. Good luck to all the finalists!