Hastings Pier by dRMM Architects wins 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize

The RIBA Stirling Prize is judged against 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.

Anupama Kundoo, an Indian architect who has made her presence felt, in the architectural and academic scenario across the world – considers it an honour to be invited on the jury for this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize. “Being part of the RIBA Stirling Prize Jury, and award ceremony thereafter was a memorable experience. We visited the 6 shortlisted projects and met the architects, clients and other collaborators, and got to know them as well as the jury members really well. Congrats to all the 6 in the shortlist especially the winner, drMM for Hastings Pier!” she writes on her Facebook Post.

Other jury members included Ben Derbyshire - RIBA President, RIBA Stirling Prize 2017 Jury Chair, Peter St John - Caruso St John Architects, Evan Davis - Journalist & BBC Presenter, and Jane Hall - Founding member of Assemble.

The six buildings shortlisted for the coveted 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize for the UK’s best new building were: ?Barretts Grove by Amin Taha + Groupwork, The British Museum World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, City of Glasgow College - City Campus by Reiach And Hall Architects and Michael Laird Architects, Command of the Oceans by Baynes and Mitchell Architects, Photography Studio for Juergen Teller by 6a architects and Hastings Pier by drMM.

Hastings Pier – a restoration project in the UK, by drMM was adjudged the winner – for the “architects’ response - to design a strong, community led/owned serviced platform which could accommodate a whole host of uses, from music concerts, to international markets. ‘In homage to conceptualist Cedric Price, users bring their own architecture to plug in and play.’ This concept is really working in practice and should be commended.”

The new pier is “extremely welcoming in its design, with free, open entry to the public. It offers flexibility, material and functional sustainability, and an uninterrupted vista of the natural and built surroundings.”