RIBA Stirling Prize 2023 Winners

Burntwood School by Alford Hall Monaghan Morris

The Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize is widely regarded as the UK’s most prestigious architecture award. This year’s recipient is Burntwood School, located in south London, which serves as an all-girls secondary school designed by Alford Hall Monaghan Morris.

Architecture Challenges and Solutions

One of the primary challenges for the architects was to connect new facilities to two existing buildings, originally designed by the renowned British architect, Sir Leslie Martin.

Designing for Productivity

The structure's open space and clean design aims to increase students' productivity and creativity. — The structure’s open space and clean design aims to increase students’ productivity and creativity.

Darbshire Place: A Social Housing Project

A standout social housing project initiated by the Peabody Housing Association, Darbshire Place, was designed and created by Niall McLaughlin Architects, garnering this year’s RIBA National Award.

Historical Context and Design Aesthetic

The building occupies the former site of a mansion block that was destroyed during World War II. The pale honey color scheme used in the construction complements the Victorian London brick originally used in the block.

The building's apartments allow for views from more than one direction. — The majority of the building’s apartments allow for views from more than one direction. They also feature deep balconies, which peer out to the square below.

Maggie’s Center: A Space for Healing

Maggie’s Center, designed by Reiach and Hall Architects, serves as a care center for cancer patients, aiming to create an uplifting environment conducive to recovery.

Design Elements Enhancing Comfort

The ethos behind Maggie’s Center is to evoke the feeling of home rather than a typical medical center. An accented wall constructed with Danish brick separates the center from nearby hospital grounds, ensuring privacy while still promoting openness.

Communal areas at Maggie's Center. — Architectural highlights within the building itself include the communal areas, such as the Maggie’s Table area depicted above.

NEO Bankside: Luxury Redefined

The NEO Bankside development, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, showcases a unique exposed grid-like structure, redefining luxury housing.

The exoskeleton-like structure of NEO Bankside. — The exoskeleton-like structure allows for wide windows and stretching views from the indoors.

The Whitworth Museum: A Journey Through Art

The Whitworth, a museum located at the University of Manchester, has been thoughtfully designed as an extension to the historic 19th-century Whitworth Gallery.

Integrating Nature and Art

Renovations to the museum emphasize outdoor spaces, allowing natural light to flood into the cafe and communal areas during the day.

Open and spacious galleries at The Whitworth. — The galleries at The Whitworth are open and spacious.

The Stockwell Street Building: A Academic Hub

The Stockwell Street Building, a development for the University of Greenwich, is a proud recipient of the RIBA National Award and the RIBA London Award this year. This important structure houses the University’s main library, alongside its architecture, landscape, and art departments.