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Lauren Laverne quits Stirling Prize jury

Lauren Laverne

Lauren Laverne

Lauren Laverne, face of the BBC's The Culture Show, has pulled out from judging this year's Stirling Prize.

The 30-year-old TV presenter and former singer has cited scheduling problems as the main reason behind her withdrawal. She will be replaced by Irish garden designer and TV presenter Diarmuid Gavin.

Diarmuid Gavin

Diarmuid Gavin

UN Studio's Ben van Berkel has also resigned from the jury due to a 'conflicting schedule', and will be replaced by Czech-born architect Eva Jiricna.

A RIBA spokeswoman said: 'Judging the Stirling Prize is a rigorous process, and requires judges to make a significant commitment of their time to take part in site visits and discussions.

'Although every effort is made to ensure the judges' availability well in advance of the site visits, clashes with schedules and
other extenuating circumstances can arise.'

The jury now comprises Kieran Long, editor of The Architects' Journal; Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects; Gordon Murray of Gordon Murray + Alan Dunlop Architects; Diarmuid Gavin; and Eva
Jiricna.


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Reader Response

Added: Friday, 29 August 2008 22:44 BST
Anonymous, Leicester, United Kingdom

...and all this luvvie stuff even as two of James Stirling's most important buildings face an uncertain fate. Big Jim is certainly turning in his grave.


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Added: Thursday, 28 August 2008 12:08 BST
Anonymous, London, United Kingdom

Much as I can't stand Diarmuid Gavin I would take issue with the assumption that garden design is all about superficial skins (although I would agree that this is certainly the case with Mr. Gavin's oeuvre). Landscape design requires many of the same skills required by architects and a well-respected landscape designer/landscape architect would/should be a welcome addition to the Stirling Prize Jury. Surely the problem here is that both of these people have been appointed because of their 'media profile' and ability to speak for 'joe public' rather than any intrinsic understanding of architecture or design.


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Added: Thursday, 28 August 2008 12:06 BST
Anonymous, Brighton, United Kingdom

Oh dear, that's not going to do the credibility of the Striling Prize much good. He was a pundit on the TV coverage a few years ago and I remember the nonsense that fell out of his mouth was just embarassing. He doesn't even know much about gardens so it should be hilarious to see what he has to say about architecture.


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Added: Thursday, 28 August 2008 10:32 BST
jun huang, London, United Kingdom

I am disappointed that a 30 year old singer and a gardener designer are included in sterling prize jury. How on earth do they understand architecture?! Architecture is not about trendy, superficial skins, or a nice ‘feel’, but an integrated system.

I noticed everyone is designing ‘architecture’ these days, if only they know how to draw and shift windows, change colours, tec; I also heard stories that during some regional award judge process the jury just spent a few minutes in the car park for some buildings. No wonder so many highly rewarded buildings receive more and more complains from the users – this is damaging the credential of the profession!

Such prestigious prize should really be judged by experienced, respectful figures in the profession. Can you imagine a garden designer judge ‘X factor’?

JH


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Added: Thursday, 28 August 2008 10:24 BST
Anonymous, London, United Kingdom

how is this news?


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