The Royal Institute of British Architects' Stirling Prize is considered to be the UK's most prestigious architecture award. This year's recipient is Burntwood School, an all girls' secondary school located in south London. It was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.
Burntwood School by Alford Hall Monaghan Morris —
The Royal Institute of British Architects' Stirling Prize is considered to be the UK's most prestigious architecture award. This year's recipient is Burntwood School, an all girls' secondary school located in south London. It was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.
royal institute british architecture
The challenge for the architects was to link new facilities to two existing buildings, designed by famed British architect, Sir Leslie Martin.
Burntwood School by Alford Hall Monaghan Morris —
The challenge for the architects was to link new facilities to two existing buildings, designed by famed British architect, Sir Leslie Martin.
ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
The structure's open space and clean design aims to increase students' productivity and creativity.
Burntwood School by Alford Hall Monaghan Morris —
The structure's open space and clean design aims to increase students' productivity and creativity.
ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
A social housing project initiated by the Peabody Housing Association, Darbshire Place was designed and created by Niall McLaughlin Architects, and takes home this year's RIBA National Award.
Darbishire Place by Niall McLaughlin Architects —
A social housing project initiated by the Peabody Housing Association, Darbshire Place was designed and created by Niall McLaughlin Architects, and takes home this year's RIBA National Award.
Nick Kane/royal institute british architecture
The building was formerly the site of a mansion block that was destroyed during World War II. The pale honey color scheme is used to match the Victorian London brick that were initially used by the block.
Darbishire Place by Niall McLaughlin Architects —
The building was formerly the site of a mansion block that was destroyed during World War II. The pale honey color scheme is used to match the Victorian London brick that were initially used by the block.
nick kane/royal institute british architecture
The majority of the building's apartments allow for views from more than one direction. They also feature deep balconies, which peer out to the square below. <br />
Darbishire Place by Niall McLaughlin Architects —
The majority of the building's apartments allow for views from more than one direction. They also feature deep balconies, which peer out to the square below.
nick kane/royal institute british architecture
The building's main staircase features a unique spiral.
Darbishire Place by Niall McLaughlin Architects —
The building's main staircase features a unique spiral.
nick kane/royal institute british architecture
A care center for cancer patients, Maggie's Center is a project by Reiach and Hall Architects, and was designed to offer an open and uplifting space for recovering patients.<br />
Maggie's Lanarkshire by Reiach and Hall Architects —
A care center for cancer patients, Maggie's Center is a project by Reiach and Hall Architects, and was designed to offer an open and uplifting space for recovering patients.
DAVID GRANDORGE/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
The concept of Maggie's Center is to appear more like a home than a medical center. It makes use of an accented wall made of Danish brick, to create a division between the center and the nearby hospital grounds. The wall allows for privacy but is low enough to maintain an open space design.<br />
Maggie's Lanarkshire by Reiach and Hall Architects —
The concept of Maggie's Center is to appear more like a home than a medical center. It makes use of an accented wall made of Danish brick, to create a division between the center and the nearby hospital grounds. The wall allows for privacy but is low enough to maintain an open space design.
DAVID GRANDORGE/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
Architectural highlights within the building itself include the communal areas, such as the Maggie's Table area pictured above.<br />
Maggie's Lanarkshire by Reiach and Hall Architects —
Architectural highlights within the building itself include the communal areas, such as the Maggie's Table area pictured above.
DAVID GRANDORGE/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
A new luxury housing estate the NEO Bankside, designed by Rogers Stirk Habour + Partners, showcases an exposed grid-like structure.
NEO Bankside by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners —
A new luxury housing estate the NEO Bankside, designed by Rogers Stirk Habour + Partners, showcases an exposed grid-like structure.
Edmund Sumner/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
The exoskeleton-like structure allows for wide windows and stretching views from the indoors.<br />
NEO Bankside by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners —
The exoskeleton-like structure allows for wide windows and stretching views from the indoors.
Edmund Sumner/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
The Whitworth, a museum located at the University of Manchester, is a project by MUMA. It has been designed as an extension to the 19th century Whitworth Gallery.
The Whitworth by MUMA —
The Whitworth, a museum located at the University of Manchester, is a project by MUMA. It has been designed as an extension to the 19th century Whitworth Gallery.
Alan Williams/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
Developments to the museum's structure includes an emphasis on its outdoor areas. The design of the cafe and other communal areas allow for natural light to flow in during the day.
The Whitworth by MUMA —
Developments to the museum's structure includes an emphasis on its outdoor areas. The design of the cafe and other communal areas allow for natural light to flow in during the day.
Alan Williams/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
The galleries at The Whitworth are open and spacious.
The Whitworth by MUMA —
The galleries at The Whitworth are open and spacious.
Alan Williams/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
The Stockwell Street Building, a development for the Univeristy of Greenwich, is a recipient of the RIBA National Award and the RIBA London Award this year. The building is home to the University's main library as well as the architecture department, landscape departments and art department.
The Stockwell Street Building by Heneghan Pend Architects —
The Stockwell Street Building, a development for the Univeristy of Greenwich, is a recipient of the RIBA National Award and the RIBA London Award this year. The building is home to the University's main library as well as the architecture department, landscape departments and art department.
Hufton + Crow/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
One of the focal points of the building are these stairs -- which are visible at different levels throughout the design.
The Stockwell Street Building by Heneghan Pend Architects —
One of the focal points of the building are these stairs -- which are visible at different levels throughout the design.
Hufton + Crow/ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS
Interactive architecture: Buildings that teach, encourage and inspire
CNN  — 

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the winner of its 2015 Stirling Prize on Thursday.

Burntwood School, designed by London-based practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), was named “the clear winner” by the award’s judging panel.

The RIBA Stirling Prize is considered the UK’s most prestigious architecture honor, bestowed annually since 1995.

This year's winner is Burntwood School designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
This year's winner is Burntwood School designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
royal institute british architecture

Buildings are judged based upon criteria such as innovative design, accessibility, sustainability, as well as how successfully the structure is able to engage and interact with its occupants and visitors.

Of this year’s receipt, RIBA president Jane Duncan said: “Burntwood School shows us how superb school design can be at the heart of raising our children’s educational enjoyment and achievement. Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, experienced school architects, have created a stunning campus.”

The firm re-imagines a 1950’s modernist secondary school campus for 2,000 students and 200 staff. The structure links two large cultural buildings by architect Sir Leslie Martin with six new faculty buildings. AHMM added colorful touches, by working with an artist to paint large murals onto the buildings.

“They have produced delightful, resourceful and energy efficient buildings that will benefit the whole community in the long term. With the UK facing a huge shortage of school places, it is vital we learn lessons from Burntwood,” says Duncan.

AHMM have been shortlisted in the past by RIBA, for their work on Westminster Academy, Kentish Town Health Centre, and for the Angel Building in London. This is their first Stirling Prize.

Five other firms made the shortlist: Nial McLaughlin Architects, Reich and Hall Architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Heneghan Pent Architects and MUMA.

The gallery above provides a closer look at this year’s winner and the other nominated works.