This week, RIBA announced six shortlisted projects for the 2024 Stirling Prize; and Dank Lloyd Wright (DLW) was quick to respond to the contenders. The meme page with 102K followers was disappointed, to put it lightly. Admins summarized this year’s batch as “utterly dull.”
Projects by Grimshaw Architects, Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates, Al-Jawad Pike, Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell, and Mikhail Richies each got a good drubbing. The least scathed one was a farm restoration in Dorset by Clementine Blakemore Architects.
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki shared a different sentiment in a press release: “These projects demonstrate the ingenuity and diversity of architecture today. From major national infrastructure to brave and brilliant council-led housing, these varied schemes are united in making sensitive contributions to elevating everyday life,” Oki added.
All in all, DLW criticized the shortlist for being too London-centric (four of the six projects are in the capital city) and for its banality. “What an incredibly exciting Stirling Prize we have here,” DLW said on Instagram, ironically. “Boy, what a year it’s been for UK architecture… 4 out of 6 of these ‘porjects’ [sic] are from London. Just lol. I mean jfc man.”
The new Elizabeth Line by Grimshaw Architects, and a team of design consultants, took a hard hit. A photograph of a new subterranean passage was overlaid with a bag of chips, a depressing ham sandwich from Tesco, and a bottle of Evian. This was to make the point that the project is milquetoast and—to lean on modern parlance—“mid.”
Furthermore, DLW astutely reminded followers that the Elizabeth Line project was $5 billion over budget, and 3.5 years over schedule. Admins also didn’t pull any punches on aesthetics. “At least [the tunnel] doesn’t have that insipid sanitised airport aesthetic that modern transport ‘hubs’ have nowadays. Oh wait, it does,” DLW said. “Railway travel used to be a glorious endeavour. Fat chance here. If this project were a sandwich, it’d be that ‘just ham’ one Tesco does—and it’d cost £10,000.”
King’s Cross master plan was among the projects on the shortlsit. Once a subversive underground nightclub district and industrial brownfield site, recent development has converted the neighborhood into a microcosm of corporate culture, think trendy bars and boutiques, and programless green space. Many architects and developers have contributed to the regeneration scheme, among these master planners Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates. DLW was quick to call out the project’s classism: “Look at all that lovely, lovely, beautiful value we’ve created for our shareholders!! Wanna be homeless here? TRY SOMEWHERE ELSE. You will literally get moved on. And it’s even got a Heatherwick scheme in it: Poo Drops Yard.”
Chowdhury Walk by Al-Jawad Pike admirably delivered 11 new council homes for Hackney Council. But DLW argued it pales when compared with other more ambitious council housing projects. “11 homes. What a dent that’s made in the housing shortage!” DLW lamented. “Had this country forgotten that mass housing can exist? You know, Byker Wall, Trellick Tower, Park Hill (OG scheme), Golden Lane Estate—stuff that actually housed a meaningful amount of people well.”
For the National Portrait Gallery refurbishment by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell, DLW argued the alterations by architects to the museum were so marginal the submission didn’t warrant shortlisting. Changes involved updating the public entrance and forecourt, adding a new learning center, and renovating office space. “What has actually been done here? Genuine question,” DLW reflected.
Neoliberal housing policy went up to bat next, and according to DLW, struck out. The Instagram account railed against a former council housing block in Sheffield recently converted into market-rate flats. “Nice, you’ve turned some social housing into market-rate housing,” DLW said with astute sarcasm in response to the Park Hill Phase 2 plan in Sheffield by Mikhail Riches. “Brilliant. Just what we need. Oh you put some cute colours on the façade did you? Well in that case you’re completely forgiven then!”
Last but not least, Wraxall Yard in Dorset by Clementine Blakemore Architects seemingly evaded the tongue lashing. “Not gonna slander this one,” DLW said of the former dairy farm turned vacation rental. “A genuinely worthy project. Unlucky though Clementine, if this was in London, you’d definitely win. But it isn’t, so you won’t.”
The 2023 Stirling Prize winner was the brick and timber John Morden Centre by Mæ, a retirement community just south of London in Blackheath. DLW never posted about that selection, which is either a sign of indifference or a stamp of approval.
Jokes aside, the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced on October 16.
