The RIBA has revealed the six projects shortlisted for the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize which includes Barrett’s Grove, a six storey residential development constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT).
© Timothy Soar
Barrett’s Grove is a characterful building in a disjointed urban street. Its adjacency to a primary school is a fitting location for a house built with the fairy-tale materials of brick, wood and straw. Inside, the building holds a series of generously proportioned, well-lit apartments; each with a wicker basket balcony that sticks out proud and far, like a salute to passers-by.
The staggered hit-and-miss brick skin of the façade makes a larger-than-usual pattern, which fits the tallness of the overall building. Wrapping the skin up and over the roof, emphasizes the simplicity of the building’s form.
Inside, the feeling is of a large house split into many homes; a refreshing change from the cheap finishes and convoluted corridors of many apartment blocks.
The apartments are double aspect and each room is a good proportion. Space is used wisely and left over space is exploited, for example a strip of workspace overlooks the living room in the top maisonette making a small strip of space a delight to inhabit.”
The award which is presented annually to the building that is judged to have made the greatest contribution to British architecture over the past 12 months. The other shortlisted projects include a photography studio, an extension to the British Museum, a new pier in Hastings, a high-tech college campus and a maritime history gallery.
More information about the shortlisted projects and the awards is available at www.architecture.com.