Liverpool Everyman Wins The 2014 Stirling Prize.

But did they really have to knock it down?
Well there you go. The Liverpool Everyman wins an award.
 Beating The Shard to scoop The 2014 Stirling Prize.
So did I get it wrong when I said in 2013 that it should have been retained?
http://waynecolquhoun.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-liverpool-everymansuch-tragedy-why.html  

I cant get my head around the way that the building was deemed unfit for human habitation and had to be demolished.

I considered that the walls were sweating with the history of the place, that has yet to be fully identified. Liverpool is a town, that knocked the Cavern Club down.........and then called itself Beatles City.

The building will now be favored by the public as it is now in the full glare of national publicity and the spotlight is on Liverpool for being modern and progressive in Architecture and design. Well at least we are not winning The Carbuncle Cup award for bad Architecture in the World Heritage Site.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/liverpool-wins-carbuncle-cup.html

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/museum-of-liverpool-runner-up-in-2011.html


Could I be switching my opinion on this building after it won the Stirling Prize, well I have never been in it so I will have to now go and have a look and see.

Read more from The Guardian on the link below.

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/oct/16/stirling-prize-riba-everyman-theatre-haworth-tompkins

The judges citation read;
‘The new Everyman in Liverpool is truly for every man, woman and child. It cleverly resolves so many of the issues architects face every day. Its context - the handsome street that links the two cathedrals – is brilliantly complemented by the building’s scale, transparency, materials and quirky sense of humour, notably where the solar shading is transformed into a parade of Liverpudlians.

‘The ambience of the theatre is hugely welcoming with three elegant and accessible public foyers for bars, lounges and café/bistro. Clever use of materials with interlocking spaces and brilliant lighting make this an instantly enjoyable new public space for the city.

‘It is exceptionally sustainable; not only did the construction re-use 90% of the material from the old theatre, but all spaces are naturally ventilated including the auditorium with its 440 seats. Clever, out of sight concrete labyrinths supply and expel air whilst maintaining total acoustic isolation. It is one of the first naturally ventilated auditoria in the UK.

‘The generosity of its public spaces, which, on a tight site, are unexpected and delightful, are used throughout the day and night. As Howarth Tompkins’ first completely new theatre, it is a culmination of their many explorations into the theatre of the 21st century.

‘It is ground-breaking as a truly public building, which was at the heart of the client’s philosophy and ethos. In summary, an extraordinary contribution to both theatre and the city, achieved through clever team working – client, architect, consultants and contractor – where the new truly celebrates the past.’