Haworth Tompkins' Everyman Theatre wins the RIBA Stirling Prize 2014

Haworth Tompkins architects spent nine years transforming the rundown historic Everyman Theatre in Liverpool into the building it is today. Those nine years were well worth it, as Haworth Tompkins just won the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 for the UK's best new building of the year.

Presented for the 19th year, the Stirling Prize is awarded to the architect whose building is considered an exemplary model in contributing to the evolution of architecture design and the built environment.

This is the first time Haworth Tompkins won the coveted award, although they were shortlisted for the prize before for the Young Vic Theatre in 2007. They were chosen in a competitive group of six shortlisted projects, which included Mecanoo, Zaha Hadid Architects, O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, and Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

The Stirling prize was presented to the winners during an award ceremony at the RIBA in London on October 16. Scroll down further to learn more about the theater.

"The old Everyman Theatre in Liverpool opened in 1964 in the shell of a nineteenth century chapel on one of Liverpool’s main streets. Although a much-loved institution, the building itself was in a state of disrepair.  The decision to pull the theatre down and replace it with a new one has been a nine-year project for the architects Haworth Tompkins.

They have expertly met a difficult challenge: that of creating an entirely new and sustainable building, whilst retaining and revitalising the best-loved features of its predecessor. The architects were tasked with ensuring that the soul of the old Everyman, one of informality and community ownership – the ‘theatre of the people’-  was carried into the new building.  The result is a new building with a striking exterior and elegant interior, all with exceptional attention to detail and sustainability credentials."

"The judges citation for the RIBA Stirling Prize winner: 

'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 Haworth Tompkins’ first completely new theatre, it is a culmination of their many explorations into the theatre of the 21st century.'"

"The Everyman is their first new-build theatre, amongst a portfolio of over a dozen theatres from the Royal Court in 2000 to the recent temporary ‘Shed’ outside the National Theatre. Their other projects include a secondary school in Birmingham and Coin Street Community Centre in London. The practice is currently working on a regeneration project in Canning Town and a housing development in Stratford, East London."

Previous winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize include: Astley Castle in Warwickshire, England by Witherford Watson Mann Architects (2013); Sainsbury Laboratory in Cambridge by Stanton WilliamsEvelyn (2012); Grace Academy (2011) and MAXXI Museum, Rome (2010) both by Zaha Hadid Architects; Maggie’s Center at Charing Cross Hospital, London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (2009); Accordia housing development by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios/Alison Brooks Architects/Macreanor Lavington (2008); The Museum of Modern Literature, Marbach am Neckar, Germany by David Chipperfield Architects (2007).

The judges for the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize were: Spencer de Grey (Chair) - architect, Foster and Partners; MJ Long - architect, Long and Kentish Architects; Cindy Walters - architect, Walters and Cohen; Stephen Kieran – architect, Kieran Timberlake; and Sir Timothy Sainsbury architectural patron and client.

Click the thumbnails below to see more photos.