The Stirling Prize is the Baftas for architects, a moment for auto-erotic self-congratulation. Awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects, its premise is straightforward: it’s for Britain’s best building of the year. But this year, it seems the prize committee has struggled even with this. Among the six projects shortlisted for this ostensibly nationwide prize, four are in London and a couple could barely even be considered buildings at all.
The most tenuous nominee for a ‘best building’ – yet one with the best bookies’ odds – is the Elizabeth Line by Grimshaw Architects. One of the most expensive infrastructure projects in Europe with a much-delayed opening, it remains frustratingly unreliable. While this can’t be blamed on the architects, the station interiors can – and should – be.
The architecture of metro systems has a rich history, from Moscow’s ‘people’s palace’ luxury to Montreal’s subway and the Jubilee Line extension, where every station was a test bed for creative experimentation.
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