RIBA Stirling Prize 2008 Shortlist | 4Homes

16. Westminster Academy At The Naim Dangoor Centre, London

< Previous

Westminster Academy. Credit: Tim Soar. From Channel 4's RIBA Stirling Prize 2008 Coverage

Source: Tim Soar

< Previous

16. Westminster Academy At The Naim Dangoor Centre, London (Image 16 of 16)

Architect: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

This city academy for secondary school children provides a striking presence on its landscape - ringed by an elevated motorway, a railway and high rise local authority housing. Colour is used extensively to provide an antidote to the drabness of the environs - from the citrus coloured bands on the exterior façade to the giant graphics inside to building.

You enter through a generous open area, a large full height inner courtyard around which are arranged the teaching and support spaces. The arrangement allows high levels of visibility for both staff and students.

The building looks more like an office than a school - in keeping with Westminster’s specialism of ‘International Business and Enterprise’. The graphic signage also contributes a feeling of ‘corporate identity’ that traditional schools often lack.

No school has previously won the Sterling Prize, but Westminster Academy is considered by many to be this year’s favourite.

The Shortlist
Accordia, Cambridge
Bijlmer Station, Amsterdam
Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Manchester
Nordpark Cable Railway, Austria
Royal Festival Hall, London
Westminster Academy at the Naim Dangoor Centre, London

More Architecture From 4Homes

RIBA Stirling Prize 2008 Winner: Accordia

Stirling Prize 2007
Kevin McCloud's Favourite Buildings
Top 5 Eco Buildings In The UK
10 Wackiest Grand Designs
Architects' Journal's Top 50 New Buildings
Huf Haus: The Self Builder's Guide
Self Build Homepage