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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in London has announced the 56 winners of the 2014 RIBA Awards (44 buildings in the UK and 12 buildings elsewhere in the EU).
This year’s awards are a clear recognition of the importance of good design in attracting visitors, students and clients and of the dramatic influence that a beautiful building has in enriching local communities and people’s life. The exceptionally well-crafted architectures range from small-scale projects, such as Jamie Fobert’s Luker House, to large commercial buildings and infrastructures including Renzo Piano’s The Shard, Zaha Hadid’s London Aquatics Centre, Mecanoo’s new Library in Birmingham, and John McAslan’s regenerated Kings Cross Station in London and BIG’s Danish Maritime Museum.
The large number of smaller-scale projects winning awards recognised this year, clearly a recession trend show architects’ talent to create great architecture even with more modest briefs and budgets.
RIBA President Stephen Hodder said: “This year’s RIBA National Award winners show that exceptional architecture can be found anywhere: on any high street, in any village or town, and with any budget … Good architecture always begins with a committed client.”
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Many of the winning project are particularly appreciated for their strong commitment to sustainability and promoting innovation. Some of them have achieved the highest scores under the BREEAM certification. Amongst these best practices: Michael Hopkins’ Brent Civic Centre, O'Donnell+Tuomey’s London School of Economics Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, Haworth Tompkins’ Everyman Theatre, Zaha Hadid’s London Aquatics Centre, Macanoo’s Library of Birmingham, Chipperfield’s One Pancras Square and Renzo Piano’s The Shard.
A shortlist for the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize, sponsored by Brockton Capital, for the best building of the year will be drawn from the 56 RIBA National and EU Award winners on the 17 July 2014.
The RIBA Stirling Prize will be presented on Thursday 16 October in London. So stay tuned!
+ Renzo Piano building Workshop
photo credits:
1 LSE’s Student Centre - Dennis Gilbert
2 Everyman - Theatre - Philip Vile
3 Brent Civic Centre - Morleyvon Sternberg
4 London Aquatics Centre - Hufton Crow
5 The London Shard RPBW - William Matthews
6 Library of Birmingham - Mecanoo
7 One Pancras Square – Mattias Kunz
8 King’s Cross Station Redevelopment - Hufton Crow