The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the winners of the 2010 RIBA Awards for architectural excellence, which will be presented to 102 buildings in the UK and Europe.
The award-winning buildings range from a small circular loo for bus drivers in London to the Neues Museum in Berlin, from a zero-carbon house to the energy substation for the 2012 Olympics. The high arts have done well with galleries, museums, theatres and auditoriums winning many awards (including the Ashmolean Musuem, Nottingham Contemporary and Aldeburgh Music Campus). Education buildings have also flourished with 17 of the 93 UK awards going to schools and universities. Another feature of the RIBA Awards this year are public spaces - pavilions, monuments, Liverpool Pierhead and the Infinity Bridge in Teesdale have all picked up an award.
Among the architects there are some multiple winners, with the highest number of RIBA Awards going to Rick Mather Architects (4 awards). Many of the UK’s prominent architects are awarded this year for their work outside of the UK with Zaha Hadid, David Chipperfield, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and Tony Fretton all winning an RIBA Award for buildings in the EU. In contrast, the RIBA is pleased that there are many practices, some of whom are very small practices, winning an RIBA for the first time. First-time winners include Carmody Groarke who have won two RIBA Awards this year.
"The RIBA Awards reflect not only the state of British architecture but also that of its economy. In the midst of the deepest recession in the 45 year history of the RIBA Awards, this year’s awards demonstrate that although times might be hard for architects, there are still great buildings being built throughout the country and overseas. The RIBA Awards always give an opportunity for gem-like small projects and less established practices to shine through and this year is no exception. Far from being a size prize, the RIBA Awards are for buildings that offer value to people’s lives. I am looking forward to seeing an exciting RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist," said RIBA President Ruth Reed.
