Read reactions to the Stirling Prize shortlist
- Published: 18 July 2008 19:19
- Author: Ruth Slavid
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 24 July 2008 17:37
- Reader Responses
Manchester Civil Justice Centre and the Accordia housing project are neck and neck in the race for the Stirling Prize – at least as far as voters in the AJ's poll are concerned.
We asked some members of the profession for their opinions.
Claire McDonald, director of DSDHA, told the AJ: 'In my opinion, The Manchester Civil Justice Centre by Denton Corker Marshall really has to be the winner as a truly civic building that boldly demonstrates the power of high-quality contemporary design in response to a complex brief.
'This project is so "non-establishment". I love it.'
She added: 'I thought the list was a bit tame.'
Romi Dahele, associate at Sturgis Associates, said: 'The deserving winner would be the Justice Centre. It's a sensitive yet dramatic response to what must have been quite a challenging brief.'
Matthew Wells, director of structural engineers Techniker, said: 'The Manchester Law Courts is simple astonishing. I gather it is a Design and Build project which makes it unbelievably good.'
Richard Fenne, associate director of Magyar Marsoni Architects, said: 'The Accordia housing scheme is a triumph. The scheme is delivered with a thoughtful intelligence and executed with admirable restraint.
'I'm particularly impressed with the contribution of Maccreanor Lavington, who remain the unsung heroes of the development.'
Stuart Piercy, partner at Piercy Conner, said: 'I think they are all great schemes for very different reasons.
'For me the Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Westminster Academy and Accordia Housing tackle very genuine design problems with great craft so they would be my choice for the prize.
'That said, Grimshaw [shortlisted for the Bijlmer Arena Station] was cheated out of the Stirling Prize for the Eden project, so maybe the record should be put straight?'
Another Grimshaw enthusiast is Gregg Mitchell, group MD at careyjones architects.
He said: 'the attention to detail and quality of light created by Grimshaw and Arcadis at the Bijlmer Arena Station make this, for me, the best contender for the accolade of the Stirling Prize.'
"Bijlmer should win"
Charles Trevor, Wood for Good
And Charles Trevor, director of pressure group Wood.for Good, said: 'The Bijlmer Arena station should win. Making timber such a striking feature enlivens a station, which can be a rather drab and dull space.
'It's good to see that timber features in some of the other shortlisted projects, but at a time when sustainability is coming to the fore, are architects choosing to ignore timber's sustainable credentials?'
John Assael of Assael Architecture said: 'Surely it's time for the RIBA to recognise the outstanding contribution that Zaha Hadid has made to the architectural scene.
'She should receive a lifetime achievement award for three Stirling-shortlisted buildings – although, regrettably, none were built in this country – as I'm not sure that this entry is special enough to persuade the Stirling Prize Judges.
'Furthermore, it is so refreshing to see a housing scheme on the shortlist at last – and one with a chance of winning!'
Steven Unwin of Unwin Architecture & Design, said: I can see that restoring the "egg in the box" concept for the Royal Festival Hall would be seen as a good consevation project but I just question whether there were more deserving and perhaps innovative conservation-led projects that could have made the shortlist.'
There was considerable criticism of the shortlist. George Saumarez Smith, director of Robert Adam Architects, suggested renaming it 'the Stirling Award for best photograph of a new building in the Modernist style.'
Selcuk Avci of Avci Architects said: 'The list of choices is particularly tame this year.
'If I had been on the jury however I would be tempted to give the prize to Zaha Hadid. Her work is always iconic, and yes, by now slightly predictable, but in this list, the Nordpark Cable Railway stands out as the only piece that challenges the senses.'
And Chris Roche, design director at 11.04 Architects, said: 'This year's shortlist is surprising, in that there is no surprise.
'The usual suspects are brought together in a shortlist as confusing as any for the Turner Prize, and which is guaranteed to court controversy. The projects are simply incomparable, making the process of shortlisting highly questionable.
'What is interesting, is that whilst one project is credited as a joint work by three architects: Feliden Clegg Bradley Studios, Alison Brooks Architects, and Maccreanor Lavington (imagine engraving that lot on the prize), the Royal Festival Hall project is credited as Allies and Morrison, and makes no reference to the original architects Lesley Martin, Peter Moro, Robert Mathew and the LCC's Architects Department.
'In my view half the shortlist do not deserve to be on the list, and of the other half, there is little to choose between them. The bookies will clean up on this one.'
Neil Spiller, from the Bartlett, hedged his bets.
He said: 'It seems to me that Zaha, Grimshaw and AHMM could be on the podium. Who will strike gold is a matter of good old-fashioned architectural taste. All these three practices are at the top of their craft. I hope AHMM wins because I'll get invited to the big party.'
Have your say on our poll (right).
