IHBC welcomes Stirling Prize winner

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) welcomed the award of the 2016 RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year to the re-casting of three listed Victorian buildings, once used for painting scenery for West End productions and now transformed by architectural practice Caruso St John into a gallery for artist Damien Hirst.

IHBC Chair James Caird said:

"This prestigious award success is yet another important demonstration from the highest echelons of the architectural professional that designation as a listed building can inspire the very best in contemporary design, and not simply serve as a constraint against it as some might contend."

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly added:

"It is no surprise to us that a third of this year’s short-list of six buildings shows architects fully engaged in working positively with listed buildings and designated fabric. It may be more of a surprise for others that all six reflect a striking awareness of the challenges arising from the cultural and environmental contexts of the new work, even if with varying degrees of success.

"Context, of course, is one of the fundamental considerations in conservation-related developments, as witnessed not least by its use as the title of our celebrated membership journal. So for this year the prominent consideration of contextual issues across all the shortlisted entries is especially welcome."

You can see the shortlisted buildings here.

--Institute of Historic Building Conservation

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