London's Elizabeth Line Among Nominees for Prestigious Architecture Prize

The Elizabeth Line, London's newest rail network, has been shortlisted for the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize, considered one of the most prestigious awards in architecture. The line, which opened in 2022, is among six nominees chosen by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Joining the Elizabeth Line in the running for the award are:

Chowdhury Walk, London (by Al-Jawad Pike): This development of 11 homes, seven of which are social housing, was praised by the RIBA panel for its "exemplary blueprint for social housing."

King’s Cross Masterplan, London (Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates): The panel hailed this ambitious 20-year project as a "remarkable reintegration and regeneration" of a once-neglected area.

National Portrait Gallery, London (Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell): The gallery's recent refurbishment project, completed last year, was commended for its "welcoming new entrance," "light-filled learning centre," and improved accessibility for visitors.

Park Hill Phase 2, Sheffield (Mikhail Riches): This project continues the ongoing renovation of the iconic Park Hill estate, which won the Stirling Prize in 2013.

Wraxall Yard, Dorset (Clementine Blakemore Architects): This project transformed a dilapidated dairy farm into accessible holiday accommodation, earning praise for its "clever landscaping" and "high degree of independence" for guests, especially wheelchair users.

The RIBA Stirling Prize is awarded annually to the building considered to be the most significant architectural project of the year. It is judged on various criteria including design vision, innovation, originality, and sustainability.

The Elizabeth Line, despite opening in 2022, was not eligible for the prize until this year due to the award's eligibility rules requiring projects to be in use for at least one year.

The Elizabeth Line was previously named London Building of the Year by the RIBA, and now it is in the running for the prestigious overall Stirling Prize. The jury has described the line as a "transport tour de force" that sets "a new standard for inner-city transport."

The winner of the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced in October at the Roundhouse in London.