A closer look at New Ludgate, the 2016 City of London Building of the Year

In a sense, the City of London Building of the Year is a communal event. Organized by the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects (WCCA), the free-to-enter competition invites the public to nominate a recently completed city building of their choice, and then the competition jury goes on to select the building that represents exemplary architectural design and positive urban impact. During evaluations, the jury focuses on projects that best “support the ambitions of the City of London in delivering a world-class working environment”.

This year's jury, which was chaired by World Architecture Festival program director Paul Finch, gave the top 2016 Building of the Year title to New Ludgate. Additionally, the Livery Award went to Eric Parry Architects' Leathersellers' Hall and the refurbished Livery Hall for the Salters’ Company by dMFK by London Wall Place.

Have a look at the winning projects below.

The masterplan for New Ludgate comprises of two buildings, with One New Ludgate designed by Fletcher Priest Architects and the colorful Two New Ludgate structure designed by Sauerbruch Hutton, along with Gustafson Porter in charge of landscape architecture.

New Ludgate won the jury's favor for the way it revamped the entire city block “into a destination, which through the skillful deployment of colour lifted both the eye and the spirit”, jury chair Paul Finch stated. “The judges felt that an area of the City where you would not have wished to walk or linger has been transformed.”

New Ludgate was chosen out of a shortlist that included: 100 Cheapside by Michael Aukkett Architects & EPR Architects; Motel One, 24-26 Minories by Mackay and Partners; 70 Mark Lane by Bennetts Associates; St Dunstan’s House on133-137 Fetter Lane by HLM; the Roman House on Wood Street by The Manser Practise; and St Bartholomew’s Hospital by HOK.

Check out the Livery Award-winning projects in the gallery below.