CIOB chartered building company Gilbert-Ash, Morgan Sindall and McLaren are some of the contractors that turned architects’ designs into reality in this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the six front-running projects that recognise the best new architecture in the UK.
Although since its inception in 1996 until 2014 entries could have been located anywhere in the European Union, projects must now be in the UK.
The award, considered the most prestigious architecture accolade in the UK, used to include a £20,000 prize. It currently carries no financial award.
Below are the six projects on the shortlist:
Chowdry Walk, London
Architect Al-Jawad Pike
Contractor Neilcott Construction
Structural engineer Momentum
Environmental/M&E engineer SGA Consulting
An “exemplary blueprint” for social housing, the East London development was designed to minimise its embodied and operational carbon footprint. The 11 homes were constructed using cross-laminated timber and feature triple-glazed windows. They also have photovoltaic panels on their mono-pitched roofs.
Park Hill Phase 2, Sheffield
Architect Mikhail Riches
Client Urban Splash
Contractor Urban Splash Construct
Structural engineer Civic Engineers
Environmental/M&E engineer Beechfield
The Brutalist landmark is the second phase of an ongoing regeneration of Europe’s largest listed structure. Thermal imaging allowed sustainability experts to identify and improve the estate’s energy efficiency.
The Elizabeth Line, London Underground
Architect Grimshaw
Contractor Some of the major contractors that worked either alone or in joint ventures on the Crossrail/Elizabeth Line project included BAM Nuttall, Kier, Morgan Sindall, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindal, Vinci, Constain, Skanska and Laing O’Rourke.
Engineering and package lead Atkins
Lighting design Equation
Wayfinding and graphic design Maynard
Station architects John McAslan + Partners, WW+P Architects, Hawkins\Brown, Aedas, Wilkinson Eyre, BDP, Adamson Associates, Allies and Morrison, Fereday Pollard
The £18.9bn Crossrail project, later renamed the Elizabeth Line, was Europe’s biggest infrastructure project when it began construction in 2009. The network runs from Heathrow Airport and Reading in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east and comprises almost 100km of track, 42km of new tunnels, 10 new stations and 31 upgraded stations. It averages 700,000 passenger journeys every weekday.
Wraxall Yard, Dorset
Architect Clementine Blakemore Architects
Client Wraxall Yard CIC
Contractor Stonewood Builders
Structural engineer Structure Workshop
Environmental/M&E engineer Ritchie+Daffin
Quantity surveyor/cost consultant Align Property Consultants
Stonewood Builders helped Clementine Blakemore Architects repair a dilapidated Dorset dairy farm and convert to “highly accessible holiday accommodation”. The architect worked with local craftspeople to achieve a high-quality finish that matched the rural surroundings and the agricultural buildings’ historical character.
The project was driven by the client’s mother having multiple sclerosis and being frustrated at the lack of accessible holiday accommodation for wheelchair users.
National Portrait Gallery, London
Architect Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell
Contractor Gilbert-Ash
Structural engineer Price & Myers
Environmental/M&E engineer Max Fordham
Quantity surveyor/cost consultant Turner & Townsend
CIOB chartered building company Gilbert-Ash delivered Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell’s vision for the new National Portrait Gallery in central London. The three windows at the new entrance forecourt were converted into bronze doorways, featuring portraits by Tracey Emin, to enable step-free access.
Gilbert-Ash managing director, Ray Hutchinson, told CM about the challenges of this project – and why it is the one he feels most proud of.
King’s Cross Masterplan, London
Architect Allies and Morrison, Porphyrios Associates
Client Related Argent
Contractor The three original contractors were BAM, Kier and Carillion. Following Carillion’s collapse, the supply chain was expanded to include McLaren and Midgard.
Structural engineer Arup
Consulting engineer Sweco
McLaren Construction is currently delivering its second project at King’s Cross on behalf of client Related Agent. The 67-acre site is the biggest urban regeneration project in the UK and is the largest mixed-use development in single ownership to be developed in central London for more than 150 years.
