Description

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The Stirling Prize is one of the world's most prestigious architectural awards. Named after Sir James Stirling (1926-1992), one of Britain's greatest post-war architects, the prize is awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to the architects of the building that has made the most significant contribution in the past year to the evolution of architecture and the built environment. The list of shortlisted and winning buildings since the prize began in 1996 - among them such diverse projects as the Media Centre at Lord's Cricket Ground by Future Systems; Herzog & de Meuron's Laban dance centre in Deptford, southeast London; and the Maxxi National Museum, Rome, by Zaha Hadid Architects - reads like a primer to the very best of contemporary British architecture both at home and elsewhere in the European Union.

Insightfully written by Tony Chapman, the former Head of Awards at the RIBA, this book honors all the shortlisted and winning buildings from the first 20 years of the prize. Authoritative, detailed commentaries explain how each winning building was planned and constructed, and reveal the thoughts of the Stirling jury; commentaries are also included for the shortlisted buildings from the most recent decade of the prize, 2006-15. Chapman's introduction reviews the history of the award from its low-key beginnings at a time when Britain was just emerging from a period of economic recession to the present day, when the prize, and indeed architecture in general, has a far greater public profile. Illustrated throughout with photographs, drawings and plans, The RIBA Stirling Prize 20 is a true celebration of British architectural talent.

About the Author

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Tony Chapman was Head of Awards at the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1998 to 2016. He previously worked as a bookseller, librarian, actor, playwright, theater director and TV researcher, director and producer. While at the BBC he made a number of programs about architecture and planning, including the Modernists' riposte to Prince Charles' 'Vision of Britain' with the then RIBA President, Max Hutchinson. Prior to running the awards program at the RIBA, he was in charge of the institute's press office. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the RIBA in 2011. Sir David Chipperfield CBS, RA, RDI, RIBA is one of the UK's most lauded architects. He established David Chipperfield Architects in 1985; the practice has won more than 100 international awards and citations for design excellence, including the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2007 for the Museum of Modern Literature, Marbach am Neckar. Chipperfield has taught and lectured at schools for architecture worldwide. In 2010 he was knighted for services to architecture in the UK and Germany. In 2011, he received the RIBA Gold Medal for Architecture.