The RIBA has announced the six projects that will compete for the 2014 Stirling Prize, the award for the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the past year. The six nominees will now be judged head to head for British architecture's highest honour, based on "their design excellence and their significance in the evolution of architecture and the built environment," with a winner announced on October 16th. See the full shortlist after the break.
Everyman Theatre / Haworth Tompkins
Their second time on the shortlist, Haworth Tompkins hopes to take the Stirling Prize with this replacement for a much-loved 19th century chapel-turned-theatre. "The selection and use of materials has created an exceptionally tactile building," said the prize's jury. "This is a building that will age gracefully, continually enriched by the patina of daily use."
Library of Birmingham / Mecanoo
This "bold and transformative addition to the city," which the jury says "has shaken the traditional perception of a library" marks Dutch firm Mecanoo's first time on the Stirling Prize shortlist.
London Aquatics Centre / Zaha Hadid Architects
Finally freed from the seating wings that once adorned the building, Zaha Hadid Architects' Aquatics centre will be the final structure from the 2012 London Olympics that is eligible for the award, a building which the jury described as "sensual with a generosity of space," and adding that "The pure and powerful form is conceptually flawless."
The Shard / Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Another foreign star to make their first appearance on the Stirling shortlist, Renzo Piano's skyscraper at London Bridge is the most publicly prominent project on the list. Piano has turned this public profile to his advantage, creating a building which is "omnipresent in London and has added immeasurably to the city."
London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre / O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects
"This is an object lesson in creating a surprising and startlingly original building on a difficult urban site," say the jury, and O'Donnell + Tuomey will hope that it is this is enough to finally take them to a title, as their third Stirling-shortlisted building in four years, and fifth overall.
Manchester School of Art / Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
"This is a building where the exploration of design and creativity will flourish," say the jury. Part refurbishment, part new build, the building encourages students and staff to work between disciplines, using "design excellence... coupled with a visionary brief."
