{"id":760910,"date":"2024-10-21T09:18:24","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T08:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=760910"},"modified":"2024-10-21T11:01:23","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T10:01:23","slug":"the-stirling-prize-highlights-good-architecture-thats-its-raison-detre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/opinion\/the-stirling-prize-highlights-good-architecture-thats-its-raison-detre","title":{"rendered":"The Stirling Prize highlights good architecture \u2013 that\u2019s its raison d\u2019etre"},"content":{"rendered":"

I still remember the exact moment I was asked to host the Stirling Prize. I was at an industry event, holding a glass of ros\u00e9, when the offer came through. It was completely unexpected. I hadn\u2019t had any prior conversations about hosting the awards, nor had I even secretly hoped for the role \u2013 mainly because I never considered myself in contention.<\/p>\n

Yet, as soon as the invitation came, I felt a mix of excitement and disbelief. I have, of course, always been a fan of the country\u2019s most prestigious architectural accolade, established in the name of the late James Stirling. So, you can imagine my delight when I was asked to return to host the 2024 awards.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an immense honour, and following in the footsteps of Stephen Fry and Kevin McCloud adds a little extra pressure. On the night itself, as I looked over the audience and caught the eye of James\u2019s daughter Kate Stirling, I felt a brief wave of imposter syndrome. But there was no time for that \u2013 the show must go on.<\/p>\n

Since 1996, the Stirling Prize has awarded nearly 30 projects, showcasing a wide range of architectural styles. Each award serves as a testament to how architecture can shape communities, cities and even entire industries in different ways \u2013 from Future Systems\u2019 futuristic Media Centre at Lord\u2019s Cricket Ground (1999) to dRMM Architects\u2019 reinvention of Hastings Pier (2017) and the socially conscious housing of Goldsmith Street in Norwich (2019) by Mikhail Riches.<\/p>\n

As the country\u2019s most prestigious architectural award, the Stirling Prize<\/a> has naturally attracted its share of criticism. Some argue that the judging panels are elitist and the shortlists are southern-focused; others claim that the prize ignores pressing issues like the climate crisis or disproportionately favours large-scale projects with big budgets. There\u2019s also broader criticism of awards in general, questioning their relevance. Craig Sheach\u2019s article<\/a> on 16th October raised some salient points.<\/p>\n

For decades, we\u2019ve debated why architecture\u2019s true power is often so difficult to communicate to the wider public. We argue that not enough young people are engaging with the industry, that architecture is routinely ignored by governments, and that it\u2019s sidelined in placemaking conversations. The root of this issue, I think, is that we, as an industry, struggle to convey the impact of architecture in a way that resonates beyond the profession.<\/p>\n

This demonstrates one of the benefits of architecture awards: they focus on the end product: the finished buildings, places, and spaces that surround us. Awards celebrate the tangible results of great architecture. They strip away the abstract theories and processes, allowing everyone to appreciate how architecture improves their lives. At their core, awards distil the very essence of what architecture is about: they showcase how good architecture creates environments that enhance the way we live. It\u2019s a simple, but often overlooked, concept.<\/p>\n

After the ceremony, I walked around and spoke with both winners and nominees. Naturally, some felt the sting of disappointment at the end of the evening. However, there was a shared understanding\u2014one that transcended the competition. It was the realisation that their projects would continue to positively impact people\u2019s lives long after the event. Long after we have all departed this mortal coil, these buildings will endure.<\/p>\n

Years from now, we will not remember the events around this year\u2019s award \u2013 including the Financial Times<\/em> breaking the press embargo and naming the winner ahead of the announcement and the disastrous BBC News coverage<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 but children will still be playing in the fountains at King\u2019s Cross. Tourists will muse over portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, unaware that parts of it are new. Families will continue to form bonds in the streets and in the skies of the Park Hill Estate. Communities will flourish around the homes of Chowdhury Walk. Holidaymakers with or without disabilities will enjoy a holiday at Wraxall Yard. And, of course, we\u2019ll effortlessly glide down cavernous vaulted tunnels and be able to get from Farringdon to Soho in five minutes on the Elizabeth Line<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The point is that awards like the Stirling Prize are vital for promoting the benefits of architecture. But the legacy of architecture is not tied to awards. The true legacy lies in the buildings, places and spaces that architecture leaves behind. As one nominee put it to me, \u2018Awards are fun and nice to have, but I\u2019m really proud of the fact that tomorrow morning, people will move through our space, and we will have helped improve their lives.\u2019<\/p>\n

Arguing about what constitutes the \u2018best\u2019 architecture is, in many ways, a futile exercise. You might as well argue about the best film, song, or colour. Architecture is not about \u2018best\u2019. There is no \u2018best\u2019. There is only good and bad architecture, and the Stirling Prize highlights good architecture for all to see. That is far more important than the award itself. The Stirling Prize helps promote the fact that improving people\u2019s lives is the lasting legacy of good architecture, and it does this not just for the winners, but for all nominees and for the industry.<\/p>\n

Kunle Barker is a property expert, journalist and broadcaster who hosted the 2023 and 2024 Stirling Prize ceremonies\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I still remember the exact moment I was asked to host the Stirling Prize. I was at an industry event, holding a glass of ros\u00e9, when the offer came through. It was completely unexpected. I hadn\u2019t had any prior conversations about hosting the awards, nor had I even secretly hoped for the role \u2013 mainly …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81429,"featured_media":761048,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[745],"tags":[1276,1398],"yoast_head":"\nThe Stirling Prize highlights good architecture \u2013 that\u2019s its raison d\u2019etre<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It might not be perfect but the RIBA Stirling Prize continues to communicate the long-term value of architecture, argues this year\u2019s host Kunle Barker\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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