Hastings Pier wins the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture

• Hastings Pier is the best new building in the UK
• A 'phoenix risen from the ashes' - the pier was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2010
• Architects dRMM have carefully restored and creatively reimagined the Victorian pier as a contemporary multipurpose space

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has awarded the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize, sponsored by Almacantar, to Hastings Pier by dRMM Architects. The RIBA Stirling Prize, now in its twenty second year, is awarded annually to the UK's best new building.

Hastings Pier, on the East Sussex coast and overlooking the English Channel, can chart its history from 1872. For many years it was a popular pleasure pier famous for musical acts, but its recent past has been much more precarious. Neglected for years, it closed in 2008 following storm damage, and in 2010 faced destruction when a fire ravaged the entire structure.

Residents and supporters were determined to use the fire as an opportunity to reimagine the pier. Buoyed by the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, a RIBA design competition attracted entries from around the world. London-based architects dRMM won the competition and immediately set about close consultation with locals and stakeholders, quickly reaching the conclusion that the pier must serve a wide variety of scenarios to be sustainable. Additional fundraising from a local action group found 3,000 shareholders to buy a stake in the project at £100 a share - this is the people's pier.

The new-look Hastings Pier has been repaired and rebuilt, then creatively reimagined. The 19th century structural iron work, hidden below deck, has been painstakingly restored and strengthened following years of neglect, storm and fire damage. The surviving Victorian Pavilion, one of two buildings on the Pier, has been transformed into an open plan, glazed cafe-bar.

The vast pier deck has been set aside as an uninterrupted flexible expanse for large-scale concerts, markets and public gatherings. The new timber-clad visitors centre building in the centre of the pier, has a viewing deck on its roof providing a dramatic space for visitors to experience epic views along the coast and across the English Channel.

The architects have used timber throughout the project, much of it reclaimed from the original pier: the visitors centre makes a feature of its scorched wood cladding. The reclaimed timber has also been used to create the pier's striking new furniture, manufactured locally as part of a local employment initiative.

RIBA President and RIBA Stirling Prize Jury Chair, Ben Derbyshire, said:

'Hastings Pier is a masterpiece of regeneration and inspiration. The architects and local community have transformed a neglected wreck into a stunning, flexible new pier to delight and inspire visitors and local people.

Hastings Pier showcases the remarkable skills, tenacity and problem-solving flair of its talented architects, dRMM. It also rewards the patrons of this great architectural achievement: the local people who have taken the initiative, and risk, to create this highly innovative and extraordinary new landmark.

I am delighted to award the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize to the people's pier.'

Speaking about Hastings Pier, dRMM Founding Director, Professor Alex de Rijke, said:

'dRMM Architects were delighted to collaborate with Hastings Pier Charity on this ambitious project which, like a 'Phoenix from the ashes', was realised through dedicated community action. The new pier is designed as an enormous, free, public platform over the sea - inspiring temporary installations and events across a variety of scales. This space offered more potential than an iconic building on the end of the pier, and demonstrates the evolving role of the architect as an agent for change. All of the many people who worked on this long project are grateful to have received the prize - and proud of achieving the apparently impossible'.

Chair of Hastings Pier Charity, Maria Ludkin, added:

'Hastings Pier is both a symbol of regeneration achieved when communities work together and a beautifully designed canvas to realise multiple uses for the residents and visitors to the town who come to enjoy it. dRMM developed a strong design vision; respecting both the history of the Pier whilst demonstrating innovation and originality in coming up with a twenty first century solution. From the opening day, Hastings Pier has invited curious visitors, stimulated conversations, and engaged and welcomed all who use and support us. Accessible and sustainable, it frames a spectacular seascape and offers unlimited variations for relaxation, contemplation and play.'

The 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize judges said:

'Hastings Pier is a project that has evolved the idea of what architecture is and what architects should do.

dRMM's role has been utterly pivotal in realising this masterpiece of subtle, effortless design. They have driven this project through to completion: campaigning, galvanising and organising local support throughout each aspect of the funding stage. They went above and beyond what most people think of as the role of the architect - and then they kept going!

dRMM show what incredibly talented and dedicated architects can do: inspire, think big, interact and engage with communities and clients to help them to achieve the seemingly impossible; this is a great message for young architects following in their footsteps.

The vital importance of building sustainably runs throughout the RIBA's awards, and Hastings Pier deserves special recognition for its remarkable use of sustainable materials and positive social impact. The architects have designed a process as much building, and have designed the Pier to evolve and grow.

This project shows that local communities working with architects can make a huge difference. Councils across the country should take inspiration from Hastings Pier, and open their eyes to the unique assets that can be created when such collaborations take place.'

Hastings Pier was chosen as the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize winner from the following outstanding shortlisted entries:

• Barrett's Grove, Stoke Newington, east London by Groupwork + Amin Taha
• British Museum World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre, Bloomsbury, London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
• Command of the Oceans by Baynes and Mitchell Architects for Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent
• City of Glasgow College - City Campus, Scotland by Reiach & Hall Architects and Michael Laird Architects
• Photography Studio for Juergen Teller, west London by 6a architects

The judges for the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize were: RIBA President Ben Derbyshire (Chair), Anupama Kundoo - Anupama Kundoo Architects, Peter St John - Caruso St John Architects, Evan Davis - Journalist & BBC Presenter and Jane Hall - Founding member of Assemble.

The winners of two other annual RIBA awards were also announced this evening:

• The Houseboat by Mole Architects and Rebecca Granger Architects won the 2017 Stephen Lawrence Prize. The prize, set up in memory of Stephen Lawrence who was setting out on the road to becoming an architect before his tragic and untimely death in 1993, and supported by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation, is intended to encourage fresh architecture talent and reward the best examples of projects that have a construction budget of less than £1 million.
  
  
• Bedales School won the 2017 RIBA Client of the Year, supported by The Bloxham Charitable Trust. The award recognizes the role good clients play in the delivery of fine architecture.

We are also pleased to announce that Almacantar, the property investment and development specialists and sponsors of the RIBA Stirling Prize since 2015 have renewed their support of the Institute for a further three years (2018 - 2020). 

Please use #StirlingPrize in your social media posts about the Prize and winners.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Download images for press use here: https://riba.box.com/v/HastingsPier
   
   
2. For further information contact Howard Crosskey howard.crosskey@riba.org +44 (0)20 7307 3761
   
   
3. The RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK's most prestigious architecture award. Given to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment, the RIBA Stirling Prize is judged on a range of criteria including design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose and the level of client satisfaction. www.architecture.com/ribastirlingprize
   
   
4. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. www.architecture.com. Follow us on Twitter for regular RIBA updates www.twitter.com/RIBA
   
   
5. This is the first time dRMM architects have won the RIBA Stirling Prize; they were shortlisted in 2016 for Trafalgar Place, a south-London housing development, and in 2010 for Clapham Primary School in London.
   
   
6. Previous winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize include: (2016) Newport Street Gallery, Vauxhall, London by Caruso St John Architects, (2015) Burntwood School, Wandsworth, London by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), (2014) Liverpool Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins (2013); Astley Castle by Witherford Watson Mann (2012); Sainsbury Laboratory by Stanton Williams (2011); Evelyn Grace Academy (2010) and MAXXI Museum, Rome (2009) both by Zaha Hadid Architects; Maggie’s Centre at Charing Cross Hospital, London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (2008); Accordia housing development by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios/Alison Brooks Architects/Maccreanor Lavington (2007).
   
   
7. BBC Arts and BBC News have partnered with the RIBA in coverage of the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2vLByqHZrhLnxBN743Rnpg/riba-stirling-prize-2017-which-new-building-is-britains-best
   
   
8. The Architects’ Journal is professional media partner for the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize and the special awards www.architectsjournal.co.uk
   
   
9. Corporate support for the RIBA is vital. Please help us by acknowledging our prize sponsor:
   The RIBA Stirling Prize is sponsored by Almacantar, a property investment and development company, specialising in large-scale, complex investments in Central London, with the potential to create long-term value through development, repositioning or active asset management. Since launching in 2010, Almacantar has acquired a number of prime assets with untapped potential in the heart of London, including: Centre Point, Marble Arch Tower, CAA House, 125 Shaftesbury Avenue and One and Two South Bank Place. www.almacantar.com
   
   
10. The RIBA Stirling Prize party is supported by Champagne Taittinger www.taittinger.com
    
    
11. Arper is the RIBA Stirling Prize furniture supporter www.arper.com