The Dublin Spire by London architects Ian Ritchie Architects has been shortlisted for the Stirling Prize. Quoted by William Hill at oddes of 3-1 to win, the Spire is second favourite behind the London "Gherkin" by Foster and Partners. There are six buildings shortlisted for the RIBA's prestigious £20,000 Stirling Prize. The prize is awarded to the architects of the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the past year. The shortlist also includes: Kunsthaus, Graz – Peter Cook, Colin Fournier; Imperial War Museum North, Manchester – Studio Daniel Libeskind; Phoenix Initiative, Coventry – MacCormac Jamieson Prichard; 30 St. Mary Axe, London WC1 - Foster and Partners; Business Academy Bexley - Foster and Partners.
According to the RIBA website, "Every single decision about this scheme required intense thought, both on the part of the architect and associated consultants. The result is a true icon for a European capital city, confident of itself and its ability to produce cultural statements of significance."
According to Eric Parry, chair of the RIBA Awards Group, "This year's shortlist again rewards a wide range of projects for architectural excellence: from the world-famous 30 St. Mary Axe, which has made such a lasting impression on the London skyline, to a project redeveloping the centre of Coventry or the remarkable, futuristic intervention in the centre of historic Graz. These projects are very different in scope and cost and design, but they share one common feature: they leave icons for the future, and show that the best of British architecture really does create amazing places.
Architecture is the most democratic of the arts, and the buildings that surround us affect us at a deep level. For architecture to be truly great, it has to lift the moods of the people who pass it by, who work within it, who see it on a skyline or at the end of a street. Students at the Business Academy Bexley were so impressed by their new surroundings that attendance figures soared.
Every one of these shortlisted buildings is popular with its users, and yet they push our knowledge and understanding of architecture forward and stimulate and showcase new ideas. This is great architecture arriving in our cities, and I look forward to another year of interest, debate and public enthusiasm."
The Stirling Prize jury, who will visit all six shortlisted buildings and then meet for a final time on the day of the presentation to pick the winner, comprises architecture specialists and lay judges from the arts. The judges are: Isabel Allen – Editor, The Architects' Journal; Antony Gormley – Sculptor, creator of the Angel of the North; Deborah Bull – Dancer and Artistic Director of the Royal Opera House 2; Ted Cullinan – Architect, Edward Cullinan Architects; Francine Houben – Architect Director, Mecanoo.
The winner of the The RIBA Stirling Prize in association with The Architects' Journal will be announced at the Old Billingsgate Market in the City of London on Saturday 16 October and televised live on Channel 4 at 8pm. Previous winners include the Laban Centre by Herzog & de Meuron, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Magna Centre by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Peckham Library and Media Centre by Alsop Architects and the NatWest Media Centre by Future Systems.
