RIBA Stirling Prize 2016 Shortlist

Each year the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) celebrates the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture that year, with the Stirling Prize. Founded in 1996 and named after architect James Stirling, the award is regarded as the most prestigious in the UK with past winners including Haworth Tompkins’ Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, Sainsbury Laboratory in Cambridge by Stanton Williams and Alsop & Störmer’s Peckham Library.

The shortlist for the 2016 RIBA Stirling Prize has been announced, with six buildings in with the chance to win the award; take a look at the nominees below, with the winner to be announced on 6 October.

Designed for one of Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government, this building was built with interaction and a sense of community in mind. The building features a central meeting space inspired by both governmental spaces and historic colleges, while the ring-shaped walkways that surround it are designed to allow more interaction between students. The use of curved lines, concrete and glass, meanwhile, make this building a contemporary and bold step away from the traditional façades of the university’s buildings.

Michael Laird Architects and Reiach and Hall Architects joined together to create the Riverside Campus for City of Glasgow College, located on the edge of the River Clyde. The first of two new campuses for the college, it was designed to create a space that brought everything together for students and staff – from the halls of residence, to specialist facilities, administration offices and café. The buildings are arranged around a courtyard, allowing all rooms to have views of the river and city.

A street of former industrial and purpose-built buildings in London’s Vauxhall, Newport Street Gallery houses more than 3,000 pieces of art from Damien Hirst’s personal collection. Architect studio Caruso St John added two new buildings at the ends of the row, using similar materials to the existing structures. The floors within the five buildings are continuous, with some floors taken out to allow for tall sculptures and flexibility in exhibitions.

Located in the Forest of Dean, Outhouse is a discrete and sympathetic, yet contemporary, house that fits seamlessly into its surroundings. A simple concrete building edged in large glass windows, the house comes with a field on top, complete with light wells. Making the most of its location, the house blends the outside with in, without disturbing the natural environment.

Part of Elephant and Castle’s regeneration, Trafalgar Place is a new housing project that comprises new homes and open, public space; a step away from gated or insular housing communities. All homes have either a garden, balcony or roof terrace, giving them space that is private, yet integrated into the wider community.

Weston Library is the second building from the University of Oxford to be shortlisted for 2016’s RIBA Stirling Prize.  Originally designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, WilkinsonEyre were drafted in to refurbish the Grade II listed building and open it up to the public. This has been achieved through a first floor glazed mezzanine in the main lobby, and new connections throughout the building providing connections to the various elements and spaces of the library.