The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) named Wilmott Dixon's Town House for Kingston University as the winner of the 25th RIBA Stirling Prize.
Speaking on behalf of the 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize jury, Lord Norman Foster, said:
“Kingston University Town House is a theatre for life – a warehouse of ideas. It seamlessly brings together student and town communities, creating a progressive new model for higher education, well deserving of international acclaim and attention. In this highly original work of architecture, quiet reading, loud performance, research and learning, can delightfully co-exist. That is no mean feat. Education must be our future – and this must be the future of education.”
In recognition of Willmott Dixon's role in making this happen, Kingston University said:
The building was brought to life by Willmott Dixon, with its design features enhanced by excellent construction quality, particularly the fairfaced blockwork, the ground floor polished concrete slab, together with the oak flooring and stair-treads and plywood panelling, which provide visual warmth. The contractor delivered on Grafton Architects vision, understanding the importance of ensuring the quality of the finish across all aspects of the building met the highest expectations.”
Reflecting on the achievement, senior operations manager Tony Mingoia said:
“When I joined the Kingston Town delivery team I knew it would be unique and exciting, a flagship building for the university, but I never imagined it would be such an immense project, special enough to be shortlisted for a Stirling prize. Proud is an understatement, as this is a once in a lifetime career occasion where collaboration, teamwork, trust, patience and resilience were evident along the entire journey and that has brought this spectacular and inspiring design to life. I’m proud of the team, our customer, the project and support teams and our supply chain partners for delivering this to the highest standards. A building for the modern age with a legacy that can’t be ignored.”