One of the more prestigious and well rewarded Architectural awards The Stirling Prize Shortlist is as follows;
- America’s Cup Building, Valencia by David Chipperfield Architects
- Casa da Musica, Porto by OMA
- Dresden Station Redevelopment, Dresden by Foster + Partners
- Museum of Modern Literature, Marbach am Neckar by David Chipperfield Architects
- The Savill Building, Windsor by Glenn Howells Architects
- Young Vic Theatre, London by Haworth Tompkins
It used to be for British registered Architects only but it seems they have opened up a place on the shortlist for best European building enabling OMA to get listed. The winner will be announced on 6th October. PartIV is doing a poll so head over there and vote for the unofficial winner, less well rewarded but surely more accurate!
Oh and to help you choose I have the mapped (kml) them using photos from flickr.
6 Comments
It could be that Koolhaas is a RIBA member, since he has graduated from AA School, hasn’t he? At least he has received the RIBA Gold Medal in 2004.
Actually you are right……it’s quite possible he could be a member, although I looked in the directory and he is not listed, and nor is OMA. Possibbly some sort of associate member, I’m not listed forinstance although my RIAS membership is supposed to give me some reciprocal benefits. I also can’t find a set of rules for entry to the regional and European awards, so how the shortlist is really drawn up is somewhat opaque.
Be that as it may opening up the award somewhat as appears to have been done is a good thing in my opinion, although sometimes these things seem to be done for the good of the award rather than of anything else!
OMAs Casa da Musica has been finished for ages - I went to see it more than 18 months ago. OMA only qualify because of their RIBA membership, the same as ODonnell and Tuomey. The Stirling Prize still is a prize for british or british registered architects or buildings in britain - and a few other exceptions. Criteria rather unclear…
“The RIBA Stirling Prize is given for the RIBA Building of the Year. It is run in association with The Architects’ Journal and is presented to the architects of the building which has been the most significant for the evolution of architecture
in the past year. ”
Which is hardly a fitting description for anything on the list!
So all in all a very, very weak Stirling Prize shortlist - the Foster rail terminal looks like (and in actual fact is) something that was designed 20 years ago. Chipperfield is good in a boring Swiss kind of way and the Yong Vic is interesting is some small ways but thats it! Hardly the “signifigant evolution” as stated in the RIBA PR. Rogers got it last year as compensation in the same way Scorsese got an oscar (quick before he dies!!)
Where’s the new, the experimental and the adventureous?
Darran,
I am inclined to agree with your last point. I don’t see much this year in the way of experiment and adventure. Some well made buildings no doubt but my overwhelming impression is of a shortlist by the numbers.
It’s certainly an interesting year for the prize, isn’t it.
You may be interested to know about our new Flickr group, dedicate to the Stirling Prize. It’s early days but it’s coming on quite well.
Simon,
I just added my photos of the Scottish Parliament. Nice group.