The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the six buildings contending for the coveted 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize, awarded to the UK’s best new building. Now in its 25th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize, supported by Almacantar, is the highest accolade in architecture.
The six buildings in the running to be crowned the UK’s best are:
- 15 Clerkenwell Close, London (GROUPWORK): a limestone apartment and office building, sitting within the all but vanished boundaries of an C11th Norman abbey
- Cambridge Central Mosque (Marks Barfield Architects): a modern urban mosque, inspired by traditional Islamic mosque and British church designs
- Key Worker Housing - Eddington, Cambridge (Stanton Williams): a fresh take on communal city-living with loose, interconnected courtyards
- Kingston University London – Town House (Grafton Architects): a new student hub comprising dynamic study, performance and social spaces in Kingston’s town centre
- Tintagel Castle Footbridge for English Heritage, Cornwall (Ney & Partners and William Matthews Associates): a spectacular bridge along the rugged Cornish coast, linking to a medieval castle
- Windermere Jetty Museum, Cumbria (Carmody Groarke): a confident cluster of shed-like buildings framing views of Lake Windermere – dedicated to telling the stories of boats and steam
RIBA President Simon Allford said: “The 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist demonstrates the innovation and ambition that lies at the heart of exceptional architecture.
From a busy city mosque in Cambridge to a remote coastal bridge in Cornwall, the six projects vary tremendously in their location and use – but they are united in their ingenuity and creativity, their consideration of their local environment and historical context, and their use of high-quality materials. In their architects’ attention to detail, and their clients’ tenacity and commitment, these six projects set themselves apart.
As we navigate major global challenges, from a global pandemic to the climate emergency, this shortlist demonstrates the critical role that UK architects play in creating thoughtful and sustainable places and spaces.
From the holistic sustainability of the Windermere Jetty Museum to the creation of a new urban community in Cambridge; from the unconventional use of historic building materials and techniques at Clerkenwell Close, to the creation of dynamic social spaces at Kingston University Town House, these projects push the boundaries of our discipline and demonstrate the positive impact that quality architecture has on people and our planet.”
The 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced on Thursday 14 October 2021 at Sir Basil Spence’s Coventry Cathedral Coventry Cathedral, as part of the UK City of Culture 2021 celebrations.
