The contractors of the six buildings on the RIBA shortlist for this year’s 2015 Stirling Prize have welcomed the recognition and endorsement of being associated with the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize.
The shortlist includes a university faculty built by Osborne, Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery by ISG with Manchester & Cheshire Construction, a secondary school by Lend Lease, social housing by Sandwood Design and Build, a Maggie’s Cancer Care centre by John Dennis, and Carillion’s apartments by Sir Richard Rogers at London’s Bankside.
Chris Wallace, project director for Carillion’s NEO Bankside, told Construction Manager: “Although an architecture award it does, to some extent, recognise the work of everyone involved in the building. We are pleased that a project which Carillion played a major part in delivering has been nominated for this prestigious award.”
Kate Woods, communications manager at Osborne, said that recognition in the world of architecture was especially important for smaller contractors.
“Being shortlisted for RIBA Awards and other industry awards is important to Osborne as we work collaboratively with Architects to provide the best outcome for our customers,” she said. “We are delighted to have been involved in a project of this calibre and being shortlisted will help us win more work in London.
“Osborne is one of the smaller contractors in the south east, but is becoming more noticed in the construction industry for offering a personal service to customers.”
The winner of the Stirling Prize will be announced on 15 October. The full shortlist is below:
Burntwood School
Client: Wandsworth Borough Council
Contractor: Lend Lease
Architect: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Citation: “These are buildings with great force. A modular pre-cast concrete cladding, using eight different moulds, with canted edges and different-sized glazing panels is playfully arranged on a rigid grid creating surprising interior spaces. The rooms are gracious and full of light, and there are many double, even triple-height spaces. Internal corridors all end in well-framed views. This is education architecture as it should be.”
Darbishire Place, Peabody Housing
Client: Peabody
Contractor: Sandwood Design and Build
Architect: Niall McLaughlin Architects
Citation: “A casual comparison of the old and new elevations reveals the subtlety of the new architecture. The use of materials and form means that the new building complements its neighbours without mimicking them. It represents a re-invention of the deep reveal: the use of slightly projecting pre-cast reveals to the windows and balconies gives an unusual depth to the modelling of the facades, a subtle beauty.”
Maggie’s Lanarkshire
Client: Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre
Contractor: John Dennis
Architect: Reiach and Hall Architects
Citation: “Modest, low building that gathers a sequence of domestic-scaled spaces. Visitors enter via a quiet arrival court, defined by the low brick walls and two lime trees. At once, a sense of dignity and calm is encountered.”
NEO Bankside
Client: GC Bankside (joint venture between Native Land and Grosvenor)
Contractor: Carillion
Architect: RSHP
Citation: “This is high-quality housing you would be unlikely to see elsewhere in the world in the inner city – and it is ungated. Overall the scheme has a scale and a richness that is appropriate to the practice and to this important part of London.”
University of Greenwich
Client: University of Greenwich
Contractor: Osborne
Architect: Heneghan Peng Architects
Citation: “The architects have created cool educational spaces which can evolve over time. The lecture theatres, mostly burrowed underground, make up for lack of light with a sumptuousness of materials and detailing. A nicely done gallery addresses the street inviting the public in, as do the shop and cafe. This is a very public university building.”
The Whitworth
Client: The University Of Manchester Estates/The Whitworth
Contractor: ISG/Manchester & Cheshire Construction
Architect: MUMA
Citation: “This is not just conversion or adaptation of the existing, the new architecture emerges quite seamlessly as an integral yet individualistic part of the whole assembly.”
