The Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins scoops the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize

The Everyman Theatre
The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool by Haworth Tompkins is the winner of this year's RIBA Stirling Prize. Photography: Philip Vile 
(Image credit: Philip Vile )

The new Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins was crowned the winner of the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize at the Royal Institute of British Architects last night. The much-loved Liverpool institution, originally housed in a chapel where it was based since 1964, moved into its brand new home designed by the London-based practice earlier this year.

Competition was fierce, with nominations also including the Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo; the London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects; the London Bridge Tower (The Shard) by Renzo Piano Building Workshop; the London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects; and the Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.

And while these buildings may range in scale and program, there is no doubt that this year's strong shortlist included some leading names in the architecture scene. The judging panel - comprising Foster and Partner's Spencer de Grey, Long and Kentish's MJ Long, Walters and Cohen's Cindy Walters, Kieran Timberlake's Stephen Kieran and politician and businessman Sir Timothy Sainsbury - reached the final decision, praising the new theatre's design. "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", they state. 

The award, now in its 19th year, honoured the building for its design, execution and imagination. It is the first Stirling Prize for the winners, who have a strong portfolio of work in theatre design - from the Royal Court completed in 2000 to the recent temporary 'Shed' outside the National Theatre.

In the same evening, the Stormy Castle in Wales by Loyn & Co was announced as Britain's best new home and winner of the 2014 RIBA Manser Medal

red brick exterior

Locally sourced red brick was used for the building's façade and four large ventilation stacks, giving the building a distinct silhouette. Photography: Philip Vile 

(Image credit: Philip Vile)

main auditorium

Inside, the theatre's main auditorium is an adaptable thrust stage space of 400 seats, constructed from the reclaimed bricks of Hope Hall. Photography: Philip Vile 

(Image credit: Philip Vile)

Windows exterior street view

The new theatre replaces the 19th century home of an iconic Liverpool institution. Photography: Philip Vile 

(Image credit: Philip Vile)

Foyers and catering spaces

Foyers and catering spaces are arranged on three levels including a new Bistro. The building boasts numerous creative workspaces, with a rehearsal room, workshops, a sound studio and a Writers' Room overlooking the foyer. Photography: Philip Vile

(Image credit: Philip Vile)

Saw Swee Hock Student Centre

Competition for this year's prize was fierce, with nominations also including The London School of Economics' Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects. Photography: Dennis Gilbert 

(Image credit: Dennis Gilbert )

London School of Economics

Nominee: The London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects. Photography: Dennis Gilbert 

(Image credit: Dennis Gilbert )

Swee Hock Student Centre

Nominee: The London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects. Photography: Dennis Gilbert 

(Image credit: Dennis Gilbert )

London School of Economics

Nominee: The London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects. Photography: Dennis Gilbert 

(Image credit: Dennis Gilbert )

Saw Swee Hock Student Centre

Nominee: The London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects. Photography: Dennis Gilbert 

(Image credit: Dennis Gilbert )

London School of Economics

Nominee: The London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects. Photography: Dennis Gilbert 

(Image credit: Dennis Gilbert )

The Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo

Nominee: The Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo. Photography: Christian Richters 

(Image credit: Christian Richters )

Library of Birmingham interior

Nominee: The Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo. Photography: Christian Richters 

(Image credit: Christian Richters )

Library of Birmingham interior

Nominee: The Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo. Photography: Christian Richters 

(Image credit: Christian Richters )

Library of Birmingham auditorium

Nominee: The Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo. Photography: Christian Richters 

(Image credit: Christian Richters )

London Aquatics Centre exterior building

Nominee: The London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography: Hufton + Crow

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

London Aquatics Centre interior pool

Nominee: The London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography: Hufton + Crow

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

London Aquatics Centre view of pool

Nominee: The London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography: Hufton + Crow

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

London Aquatics Centre exterior view side of building

Nominee: The London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects. Photography: Hufton + Crow

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

London Bridge Tower (The Shard)

Nominee: The London Bridge Tower (The Shard) by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Photography: Michel Denance

(Image credit: Michel Denance)

London Bridge Tower (The Shard) Lobby

Nominee: The London Bridge Tower (The Shard) by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Photography: Michel Denance

(Image credit: Michel Denance)

The London Bridge Tower (The Shard) boardroom

Nominee: The London Bridge Tower (The Shard) by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Photography: Grant Bannantyne

(Image credit: Grant Bannantyne)

The London Bridge Tower (The Shard) escalator and staircase

Nominee: The London Bridge Tower (The Shard) by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Photography: Grant Bannantyne

(Image credit: Grant Bannantyne)

The Shard street view of tower

Nominee: The London Bridge Tower (The Shard) by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Photography: Grant Bannantyne

(Image credit: Grant Bannantyne)

Manchester School of Art

Nominee: The Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Photgraphy: Hufton + Crow

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

Manchester School of Art interior

Nominee: The Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Photgraphy: Hufton + Crow

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

Manchester School of Art interior

Nominee: The Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Photgraphy: Hufton + Crow

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

Manchester School of Art foyer

Nominee: The Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Photgraphy: Hufton + Crow

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).