The winners of the RIBA North West Awards 2024 have been announced, revealing how buildings can care for their occupants and foster community spirit. The wide range of winners include a new theatre (Shakespeare North), a sanctuary for healthcare (the Alder Centre), repurposed cotton mills from the 19th century (Crusader Works) and educational facilities (Copperas Hill Student Life and Sports Building and WaterSHED).
Presented since 1966, the RIBA Awards set the standard for great architecture across the country.
The RIBA North West 2024 Awards were announced at a ceremony this evening, at which Shakespeare North was named as winner of RIBA North West Building of the Year Award 2024 (sponsored by EH Smith). The judges said that the project has “put Prescot on the map” and that it is “raising aspirations and expectations along with moments of real delight”.
The 2024 RIBA North West Award winning projects are:
● Copperas Hill Student Life and Sports Building, Liverpool John Moores University by Sheppard Robson
A hub for students and a civic ‘front door’ for the university
● Crusader Works by shedkm
The regeneration of listed and non-listed cotton spinning mills from the 1840s
● Langdale, Brampton by Mary Arnold-Forster Architects
A modern house for a family of four that nestles into a steep site
● Mustard Cowork at Little Underbank by Kelsall Architects
A dramatic transformation of a dilapidated Grade II Listed building to create a mixed-use development
● Shakespeare North by Helm Architecture with executive architects Austin-Smith: Lord
A new theatre building promoting learning, experimentation, and reinterpretation of Shakespeare
● The Alder Centre by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
A new, standalone building providing a unique health service
● WaterSHED, Wardle Academy by BDP
A repurposed dilapidated former school sports hall for new forms of teaching and social learning
The seven projects were selected by the expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.
RIBA President, Muyiwa Oki, said:
“This year’s RIBA Award winning schemes showcase the true value of quality architecture, and the positive impact it has on people’s lives. While carefully considering the needs of the environment, these truly remarkable places and spaces deliver for communities, for residents, for visitors, and people of all ages up and down the country. They are pinnacles of design excellence, and show what can be achieved when architects and clients collaborate successfully.”
RIBA North West Jury Chair Katy Marks said:
This year’s RIBA Award winners in the North West have an impact far beyond their walls, with each of the projects amplifying local and community voices. So many of these buildings are about fostering new talent and having a transformational impact. All the shortlisted projects were inspirational and demonstrated huge dedication and vision. This is a testament to a future thinking spirit of aspiration and optimism in our region.
Full list of the regional special awards announced this evening:
● Shakespeare North – RIBA North West Building of the Year 2024 (sponsored by EH Smith), RIBA North West Project Architect of the Year 2024 (Nicholas Helm)
● The Alder Centre (The Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust) - RIBA North West Client of the Year 2024
● Mustard Cowork at Little Underbank - RIBA North West Small Project of the Year 2024
● Crusader Works - RIBA North West Conservation Award 2024
The RIBA North West Award 2024 winners will now be considered for a highly coveted RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, which will be announced on 11 July. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- For further press information please contact
Bobby Jewell| bobby@bobby-jewell.com | 07915 566640
Robert Fiehn| rob@robertfiehn.com | 07814 078946 - High resolution images and jury citations: https://riba.box.com/NorthWestwinners2024
- RIBA Special Awards are sponsored by EH Smith and Autodesk.
- The RIBA Awards have been running since 1966 and are judged and presented locally. No matter the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA Award winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA Awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows.
- Entries are submitted to the region or nation in which the building is situated. Projects are judged first for RIBA Regional Awards, then RIBA National Awards; the RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist is selected from winners of the RIBA National Awards.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.