A south London school and an east London office and residence complex have been nominated for the Stirling prize, one of Europe's more prestigious architectural awards.
The inclusion of the brightly-clad Clapham Manor Primary School (pictured), which slapped a new, colourful wing onto the side of the existing Victorian building, may be seen as something of an embarrassment for the new coalition government, which has just slashed school funding. Education secretary Michael Gove has angered many architects by suggesting that the profession doesn't offer value for money in building schools, so Clapham Manor's inclusion may be a pointed rejoinder to his comments.
The school is joined on the shortlist by Bateman's Row, a compact mixed-use block in Shoreditch that comprises a studio and residence for the architect Theis and Khan, as well as an art gallery and studio apartments. However, the favourite for the award, which carries a £20,000 prize, is London-based Zaha Hadid Architects, for MAXXI, the Museum of Art for the 21st Century, in Rome. The winner will be announced in October.
Last year, the prize went to a London project — the Maggie's Centre at Charing Cross Hospital. Previous prize-winners in the capital include Lord's Media Centre, Peckham Library, and the Gherkin.
