The winner of the 2024 Stirling Prize will be announced this week — and London architecture projects are leading the charge.
Four of the six finalists for UK architecture’s most prestigious award, overseen by the Royal Institute of Architecture (RIBA), are in the capital.
Chowdhury Walk, a housing project in Hackney designed by London-based studio Al-Jawad Pike, is in the running. The infill project saw 11 houses built on the site of former garages, with seven of the homes available at social rent.
If it wins it would be the second-ever social housing design to be awarded the Stirling Prize — after Mikhail Riches won for Goldsmith Street in Norwich in 2019.
At the other end of the size scale are major London projects: the Elizabeth Line by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and Atkins, which they call a “slick line-wide identity manifests at platform level though the application of consistent cladding, lighting, and signage, creating a decluttered and accessible environment.”
And then there’s the King’s Cross Masterplan by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates, which has completely transformed this industrial wasteland around the station.
The National Portrait Gallery refurbishment by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell is the fourth London project on the shortlist, which balances contemporary design with the historical features.
Only two projects shortlisted for the Stirling Prize — which has been criticised in the past for being too London-centric — are outside of the capital.
Park Hill Phase 2 in Sheffield by previous winners Mikhail Riches has been shortlisted. It could be another controversial option as this second phase of a social housing regeneration scheme has come under fire from local press for not delivering any social housing.
Wraxall Yard in Dorset by Clementine Blakemore Architects is the sixth shortlisted project. The run-down dairy farm has been repaired and adapted for wheelchair users to create an accessible rural retreat.
"These projects demonstrate the ingenuity and diversity of architecture today,” said RIBA president Muyiwa Oki.
“From major national infrastructure to brave and brilliant council-led housing, these varied schemes are united in making sensitive contributions to elevating everyday life.”
The winner will be announced on October 16 at London’s Roundhouse.
