The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced six projects for Stirling Prize 2016, including Herzog&de Meuron's Blavatnik School Of Government, City Of Glasgow College, Riverside Campus by Michael Laird Architects & Reiach and Hall Architects, Newport Street Gallery by Caruso St John Architects.

RIBA Stirling Prize is given to the best building in UK, searching for architectural excellence in UK's architecture. The six shortlisted buildings will now go head-to-head for architecture’s highest accolade, to be awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on Thursday 6 October 2016. 

''The RIBA Stirling Prize is awarded to the building that has made the biggest contribution to the evolution of architecture in a given year.''

''Every one of the six buildings shortlisted today illustrates the huge benefit that well-designed buildings can bring to people’s lives. As seen at Trafalgar Place and Newport Street Gallery, they can breathe life and kick-start regeneration in neglected urban pockets to create new, desirable destinations and communities; as with Blavatnik School of Government, Weston Library and City of Glasgow College, they can give cities and institutions a new landmark to delight and draw in visitors, improve education potential, and increase civic pride. Meanwhile Outhouse provides a fantastic model for a private house – one that delights its owners and responds exceptionally sensitively to its treasured rural position,'' said RIBA President Jane Duncan.

The six shortlisted projects are listed below:

Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford by Herzog & de Meuron
City of Glasgow College, Riverside Campus by Michael Laird Architects & Reiach and Hall Architects
Newport Street Gallery, Vauxhall, London by Caruso St John Architects
Outhouse Gloucestershire by Loyn & Co Architects
Trafalgar Place, Elephant and Castle, London by dRMM Architects
Weston Library, University of Oxford by Wilkinson Eyre

Herzog&de Meuron's Blavatnik School Of Government. Image © Iwan Baan

''With the dominance of university and further education buildings on the shortlist, it is clear that quality architecture’s main patrons this year are from the education sector. I commend these enlightened clients and supporters who have bestowed such remarkable education buildings. Sponsors, such as the Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation, and Damien Hirst are continuing in the proud history of private patronage of architecture, and their continued support contrasts the slump in publicly-funded architecture.''

Herzog&de Meuron's Blavatnik School Of Government. Image © Iwan Baan

''The shortlisted projects are each fantastic new additions to their individual locations – on an urban street, a city riverside, an estate regeneration, an historic city centre and a hidden part of the countryside – but their stand-out common quality is the inspiration they will bring to those who study, live, visit and pass by them, for generations to come. To me, this shortlist reflects everything that is great about UK architecture – a blend of experimental, artistic vision and a commitment to changing people’s lives for the better, '' added Jane Duncan.

City of Glasgow College, Riverside Campus by Michael Laird Architects & Reiach and Hall Architects. Image © Edmund Sumner

The RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture award. Given to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment, the RIBA Stirling Prize is judged on a range of criteria including design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose and the level of client satisfaction.

City of Glasgow College, Riverside Campus by Michael Laird Architects & Reiach and Hall Architects. Image © Edmund Sumner

Previous winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize include: Burntwood School, London by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) (2015); Liverpool Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins (2014); Astley Castle by Witherford Watson Mann (2013); Sainsbury Laboratory by Stanton Williams (2012); Evelyn Grace Academy (2011) and MAXXI Museum, Rome (2010) both by Zaha Hadid Architects; Maggie’s Centre at Charing Cross Hospital, London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (2009); Accordia housing development by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios/Alison Brooks Architects/Maccreanor Lavington (2008).

Newport Street Gallery, Vauxhall, London by Caruso St John Architects. Image © Hélène Binet

Newport Street Gallery, Vauxhall, London by Caruso St John Architects. Image © Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd

Outhouse Gloucestershire by Loyn & Co Architects. Image © Charles Hosea 

Outhouse Gloucestershire by Loyn & Co Architects. Image © Charles Hosea

Outhouse Gloucestershire by Loyn & Co Architects. Image © Charles Hosea

Trafalgar Place, Elephant and Castle, London by dRMM Architects. Image © Alex de Rijke

Trafalgar Place, Elephant and Castle, London by dRMM Architects. Image © Thomas Etchells

Weston Library, University of Oxford by Wilkinson Eyre. Image © James Brittain

Weston Library, University of Oxford by Wilkinson Eyre. Image © James Brittain

The winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced on Thursday 6 October 2016. 

Top image: Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford by Herzog & de Meuron, © Iwan Baan

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