The shortlist for the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture has been announced, made up of six projects
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced their Stirling Prize shortlist.
The shortlist is made up of six different projects, all in contention for the UK’s most prestigious architecture award.
The RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist includes:
- Chowdry Walk – Social housing, designed by Al-Jawad Pike, London. Built on a brownfield plot that was taken up by garages and parking. The contender is a series of 11 homes, seven of which are social rented. The design is of a two-storey terrace that forms a new thoroughfare for cyclists and pedestrians. The project brings some much needed housing to Hackney, East London.
- Elizabeth Line, London Underground, designed by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and Atkins. The Elizabeth Line is expected to give transport to 200m passengers every year, and retains the classic underground look while modernising for the passengers of today.
- King’s Cross Masterplan, London, designed by Allies and Morrison, and Porphyrios Associates. The project has spanned 20 years, redeveloping King’s Cross through regenerating on brownfield land that used to be industrial. The project has brought about new squares, streets, offices, schools, university buildings, and accomodation, as well as preserving the more classic and historical structures.
- The National Portrait Gallery, London, designed by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell. The redevelopment of the Grade I listed building sees a new entrance with bronze doors lined with portraits, a new learning centre, and new and accessible public space. The entrance now faces the West End, and clever ideas to keep the buildings heritage, such as using old windows as new doorways.
- Park Hill, Phase 2, Sheffield, designed by Mikhail Riches. Phase 2 of the redevelopment of Europe’s largest listed structure brings the modernisation of internal spaces, including balconies and open plan designs, and the improvement of energy efficiency, as well as a new colour palette.
- Wraxall Yard, Dorset, designed by Clementine Blakemore Architects. Another brownfield site, a dairy farm has been redeveloped into a rural retreat, complete with public spaces for boosting engagement with wildlife and farming, as well as a plethora of accessible features, including landscaping designed to circumvent the need for ramps or rails.
RIBA president Muyiwa Oki commented on the Stirling Prize shortlist:
“These projects demonstrate the ingenuity and diversity of architecture today. From major national infrastructure to brave and brilliant council-led housing, these varied schemes are united in making sensitive contributions to elevating everyday life.
“Whether raising the bar for social housing, upgrading city transportation or repurposing dilapidated buildings to create heritage-conscious urban and rural developments, each scheme thoughtfully adapts elements of our existing built environment.
“At a time when the need to preserve our planet’s resources is greater than ever, these projects are to be commended for placing regeneration and restoration front and centre, transforming well and lesser-known landmarks to create highly sustainable places for future generations.
“This is purposeful yet unassuming architecture – architecture that brings joy to people’s lives and strengthens the fabric of our society.”
The winner will be announced on 16 October, 2024.
