The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the 2012 shortlist for the Stephen Lawrence Prize – an £5000 award that recognizes fresh talent with construction budgets of less than £1 million. The prize is sponsored by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation in memory of an aspiring young architect who tragically lost his life in 1993.
The 2012 Stephen Lawrence Prize shortlist is:
- Hill Top House, Oxford (private house) / Adrian James Architects
- Kings Grove, London SE15 (private house) / Duggan Morris Architects
- Hill House, Kent (private house) / Hampson Williams Architects
- The Dellow Day Centre, London E1 / Featherstone Young
- The Marquis Hotel & Restaurant, Dover / Guy Hollaway Architects
The winner will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize Dinner on October 13, 2012, in Manchester. The 2012 judges include architects Phil Coffey, Marco Goldschmied and Doreen Lawrence.
Continue after the break to learn more about each project.
Hill Top House, Oxford / Adrian James Architects
Contractor: Carter Construction Consultants: Baqus Sworn King, Price & Myers Date of completion: August 2011 Gross internal area: 180 sq m
The architects describe this scheme as ‘an essay in concrete for clients who relish the uncompromising ascetic quality of the material’. The four level house follows a rigorous plan with double volume corridors either side of a circulation and services core. Despite the small footprint, the abiding impression is one of space flowing in all directions.
The construction employs large precast panels for the party walls. This enabled the main structure to be built very quickly. Altogether a tour-de-force in urban residential design.
Kings Grove 16A Kings Grove, London SE15 / Duggan Morris Architects
Contractor: ME Construction Structural Engineer: Lyons O’Neil Gross Internal Area: 140 sq m Cost per Sq m: £2,285 Occupation Date: July 2010
This is a taut, exemplary response to the development of a landlocked site: an intelligent house built by an architect couple for themselves.The site, reached by a narrow lane, is contained by back gardens.
The house demonstrates a highly disciplined attention to detail in the design and the immaculate quality of the construction. All fitting-out responds absolutely to the brick module of the enclosure. A simple palette of materials is employed – exposed brickwork, oak storage wall panels, stairs and flooring and dark stained timber framed bespoke glazing. There is a playful use of brass in the glazing trim and the taps, and more play in the pink flesh coloured shower interiors.
Hill House, Kent / Hampson Williams Architects
Contractor: Qube Special Projects Structural Engineer: Webb Yates Engineers Services Engineer: Eng Design Date of completion: February 2012 Gross internal area: 335 sq m
The brief called for a house that reflected the environmental sensitivities of the client, was contemporary in design, honest in its expression both of form and material and rooted in place. As with all private houses the type of spaces and their arrangement is intensely personal, and the design process sought to be open, collaborative and flexible.
The house was conceived as a primarily timber construction. By using re-cycled excavation material as a retaining wall the carbon footprint was kept low and the project on budget. The beautifully crafted all plywood interior creates a simple, serene series of interconnected spaces. The ambitious in-situ welded steel stair is a dramatic sculptural element contrasting with the warmth of the plywood surrounding it on all sides.
Dellow Day Centre 82 Wentworth Street, London E1 / Featherstone Young
Client: Providence Row Structural Engineer: Conisbee Environmental Engineer: FES (Future Energy Surveys) Quantity Surveyor: Burke Hunter Adams Contractor: John Perkins Projects Gross Internal Area: 366 sq m Occupation Date: November 2011
The Marquis Hotel & Restaurant Alkham, Dover, Kent / Guy Hollaway Architects
Contractor: GSE Design and Build Structural Engineer: A J Locke Consulting Engineers Services Engineer: Bryant and Reina Group Date of completion: November 2011 Gross internal area: 235 sq m
Previously refurbished by the same architects, due to the success of the Grade II Listed restaurant ‘The Marquis’ has now been extended to provide additional hotel rooms, improved staff facilities and an enlarged kitchen.
The new building ties into its surroundings with the use of locally sourced flint and Kent Peg Tiles reclaimed from the demolished cottage that used to be on the site. A sedum roof also meshes it into the landscape. A fine example of good architecture engendering business success.
