AJ Writing Prize finalists revealed

Six finalists have been chosen from 91 entries to the contest which was launched in June to find the best up-and-coming architecture critic aged under 35.

The shortlist includes Malcolm Birks for ‘The Carrot and the Cane’ a critique of Zaha Hadid’s Evelyn Grace Academy (pictured), John Clark for ‘Meet me at the Wit’, an essay on Koo and Associates’ Wit Hotel, Mike Hawkins for ‘A review of The Collection’, on Panter Hudspith’s museum of archaeology in Lincoln, Hana Loftus for ‘Revisiting the Idea Stores’ by Adjaye Associates, Alan Miller for ‘The Architecture of Brittle Prosperity’ on architect John Wardle’s Westfield Sydney Central Shopping Centre, and Dale Suttle for ‘Building or Monument’, on the restoration of Paul Rudolph’s Yale Art and Architecture Building.

The judging panel included esteemed critic Joseph Rykwert, editor and critic Mary Banham (wife of the late Reyner Banham), AJ editor Christine Murray and Alan Berman from sponsoring practice Berman Guedes Stretton.

Excerpts from the shortlisted entries will feature in AJ 27.10.11. In addition to the cash prize, the winner will write a building study for the AJ.

James Roach, director of Berman Guedes Stretton, said: ‘We were delighted to receive submissions from around the world. The brief sought an awareness of history and context in thinking about contemporary architecture, and some pieces showed that there are young architects who see beyond the slick imagery often seen in the architectural media.’

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