A rich mix of projects have been selected as winners in the RIBA South Awards 2024, including a multi-faith building on ancient ley lines (New Temple Complex), a community building that responds to the local vernacular (School Green Centre), a strikingly contemporary structure on a historic campus (Wadham College) and a sanctuary for cancer patients on a former hospital car park (Maggie’s Southampton).
Presented since 1966, the RIBA Awards set the standard for great architecture across the country.
The RIBA South Awards 2024 were announced at a ceremony this evening, at which New Temple Complex was named as winner of RIBA South Building of the Year Award 2024 (sponsored by EH Smith). The jury was impressed with the team’s “uncompromising realization” of an “ideological building” that has achieved “godly control of the details.”
The RIBA South Award 2024 winning projects are:
● Cheng Yu Tung Building, Jesus College Oxford by MICA Architects
A prominent and unique mixed-use building in central Oxford
● Chestnut Plantation by John Pardey Architects
Standing within a small woodland glade, a new home is set out around a courtyard
● Maggie's Southampton by AL_A
A hospital car park turned into a sanctuary, gracefully surrounded by a miniature New Forest
● New Temple Complex by James Gorst Architects
A domed temple with an arrival sequence that leads from secular to ritual spaces
● School Green Centre by AOC Architecture
A community building for the 21st century made from an old parish hall with a playful extension
● Wadham College by AL_A
Two buildings with distinct identities but connected functions
The six 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 South Jury chair, Jennifer Dyne:
“This year’s winners expose the exquisite variety of architecture across the south – but what connects these projects is their capacity to care. Whether that’s caring for the environment, about accessibility, the local community or city, as well as each other and your inner self. The projects also reveal how the careful hand of an architect is able to draw buildings of complexity, clarity and composition. This trinity is exemplified at New Temple Complex, with James Gorst Architects taking home an equal trio of awards, plus Building of the Year – and for those that care about architecture, it’s worth the pilgrimage.
Full list of the regional special awards announced this evening:
● New Temple Complex - RIBA South Regional Building of the Year (sponsored by EH Smith), RIBA South Regional Sustainability Award (sponsored by Autodesk), RIBA South Regional Project Architect of the Year (Steven Wilkinson)
● School Green Centre - RIBA South Client of the Year 2024 (Shinfield Parish Council)
RIBA South Award winners 2024 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@robert-fiehn.com | 07814 078946 - High resolution images and jury citations: https://riba.box.com/v/RibaSouthWinners2024
- 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.
