Stirling Prize: Three of our projects are shortlisted!
We are delighted to announce that three of our projects are among the contenders for the UK’s most prestigious architecture award.
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This year, the shortlist of six for the prestigious award includes A House for Artists, Central Somers Town Community Facilities and Housing, and the Courtauld Institute of Art. The winner will be announced on 19 October 2023.
The 2022 winner of the Stirling Prize was Magdalene College, which we worked on with Niall McLaughlin Architects.
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A House for Artists
Architect: Apparata Architects
Client: London Borough of Barking & Dagenham; co-commissioned by Create London, delivered by Be First, and supported by the GLA.
The first of its kind in the UK, A House for Artists provides flexible living and working spaces for 12 artists and their families. The project in East London combines public-facing spaces and artists' studios with housing, including studio workspaces, a community space and a shared working yard that can be opened to the public.
Working alongside architects, APPARATA, we provided M&E Engineering and Acoustics for the project. Dual aspect openings allow natural cross-ventilation, and hot water is provided through a communal Air Source Heat Pump. The building has over 20% less embodied carbon than the RIBA 2030 climate challenge target and GLA aspirational target.
A House for Artists has also been named among the finalists for the Stephen Lawrence Prize for young and aspiring architects, and the Neave Brown Prize for affordable housing projects.
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"This is a thoughtful and assured piece of architecture that has been delivered with rigour and precision. To date, feedback from residents and the local community has been extremely positive. The client team sees the development as a prototype for other community-focused affordable rented housing and, considering the success of the scheme, why not?"
Central Somers Town - Community Facilities and Housing
Architect: Adam Khan Architects
Client: London Borough of Camden
Central Somers Town is an exceptional example of social housing and facilities that have been designed to meet the needs of a community. Located in Central London along the north of Somers Town's main park, this award-winning scheme includes a community play facility, a roof-mounted 'MUGA' pitch, external play areas and residential units.
Working alongside Adam Khan Architects, we provided M&E, acoustics and sustainability consultancy for the project. The environmental design was developed with a 'passive first' approach with a very high standard of thermal insulation, building air tightness, daylight and natural ventilation.
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"The taller red-brick housing is both confident and challenging. The ubiquitous red brick recurs throughout, along with a string of unconventional, swooping inverted arches that enclose the rooftop pitch, a motif that’s repeated across the park. Inside, the flats are generous, with large windows protected by European-style metal roller blinds, allowing for natural ventilation and cooling."
Courtauld Connects, Courtauld Institute of Art
Architect: Witherford Watson Mann Architects
Client: The Courtauld Institute of Art
The transformation of the Courtauld Gallery is the most significant redevelopment of the Courtauld Institute of Art since its relocation to Somerset House in 1989. Developed through extensive engagement with staff and students, and negotiated with heritage authorities, it aims to support the overall vision of the Courtauld by maximising the potential of the unique heritage site and creating fit-for-purpose spaces integrating all of the elements of the Courtauld’s operation, meeting current needs and enabling future sustainability.
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"Whilst the building’s listed status limited what could be achieved in terms of sustainability, the work included local fabric improvements, large-scale modernisation of services systems and advanced monitoring to assist with energy management. These interventions have been seamlessly integrated in most parts of the building, so as not to detract from the built heritage."