Arts & Culture  News

Newport Street Galley named as best new British-designed building of the year

Damian Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery has won the prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture.

Published on
October 10, 2016

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The design team behind the iconic Newport Street Gallery in Vauxhall has won the most prestigious prize in British architecture after seeing off stiff competition from across the country.

Caruso St John Architects was named as the winner of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize for the best building of the year.

The gallery, which celebrated its first birthday at the weekend, is used by artist Damian Hirst to display his private collections and is free to enter.

Based in Newport Street, Vauxhall, the gallery is a major cultural draw for Nine Elms on the South Bank which is on course to become a new hub for arts and culture.

The gallery and adjoining Pharmacy 2 Restaurant, received praise for their beautiful internal staircases, tactile materials used and sympathetic design.

Co-chair of the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership and Lambeth Council leader Lib Peck said: “I’m delighted that the Newport Street Gallery has landed this prestigious prize – it’s a great gallery and a real asset for residents in Vauxhall.

“I’d like to congratulate both Damien Hirst and the architects Caruso St John on the project, which has transformed Newport Street. I’d also like to congratulate Lambeth Council planners and conservation team who work hard to ensure that innovative and visionary projects get the go-ahead in our borough.”

RIBA President Jane Duncan said: “With Newport Street Gallery, Damien Hirst has made an exceptional contribution to the UK’s strong history of private patronage of architecture. Not only has Damien opened up his enviable private art collection to the world, but he has commissioned a real work of art to house it in.

“Caruso St John has created a stunningly versatile space from a number of linked buildings, with beautifully crafted staircases and superb details including tactile brick facades that blend the street.”

Peter St John of Caruso St John Architects said: “It’s rare for architects to be given the opportunity to realise a personal vision of the quality of the Newport Street Gallery, and for that vision to have a generous public dimension. We see the building as a palace for direct, intimate and luxurious encounters with contemporary art, and we are very pleased that this award will bring more people to see this extraordinary collection.”

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