It’s that time of year again…On Thursday 14th July the nominees for this years Stirling Prize will be announced. For anyone who doesn’t know the UK’s most prestigious award, it was founded in 1996 and recognises “the architects of the building that has made the greatest contribution to the evolution of architecture in the past year.”

Although the future of the industry is somewhat uncertain following the EU referendum a few weeks ago, firms have been optimistic; confident in their innovative skill and entrepreneurial ability to tackle the potential problems ahead.

Looking back over completed projects from the last year, it is clear to see why. It has been a particularly impressive year for UK projects - it was no mean feat selecting our predictions for the six nominations.

AHMM - 61 Oxford Street
Last year AHMM took first place for Burntwood School in Wandsworth. This year we think they may have a chance with 61 Oxford Street, a distinctive and contemporary landmark that takes inspiration from the classical 1930s Alto Vase concept. The firm worked closely with Westminster Council to create a project that would encourage a discourse with the surrounding area currently undergoing redevelopment.

The impressive undulating glass façade ‘the surface choice for retailers’ used because it is the area’s only unifying material is certainly the projects winning feature.

BDP - Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Creating a completely new model for hospital design (with the old one literally next door as a stark reminder) this project is undeniably impressive. The brief was to ‘create a hospital that engenders well-being and raises patients’ and visitors’ spirits by adding to their quality of life.’ Answering that, the building is submerged into the park making every possible use of light. Nearly all the rooms enjoy garden views and terraces accessible to all.

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios - Stanbrook Abbey
The new home for the Conventus of Our Lady of Consolation, a Benedictine community of nuns, has been designed to reflect their contemplative way of life; a place where they can ‘pray always’. The architecture is subtle and fluid and certainly creates a feeling of calm and tranquillity taking full advantage of natural light and the idyllic landscape.

Lyon & Co - Inside Outside House
Inspired by the natural environment of its rural location in the Forest of Dean this live-work dwelling replaced the existing home with a new highly sustainable, energy efficient model.

“The internal accommodation arranged around the ‘inside outside ’courtyards is organised and split by a central gallery space with the studios set into the hill served by north light. “

Wilkinson Eyre - Weston Library
After a three-year £80 million refurbishment, the Oxford University Grade II- listed New Bodeleian library has reopened as Weston Library.  Full of secret little escapes, perfectly to get lost in a book this library redeveloped by Wilkinson Eyre perfectly meets the brief. Completely upgraded inside, it’s one of the only building in the university that anyone can walk into and the new public entrance invites and welcome them in. 

Zaha Hadid Architects - The Investcorp Building
Another project at the University of Oxford, this time a centre for studying Middle Eastern Culture. Snaking through the campus integrating the existing protected trees and buildings it is recognisably Zaha. The site provides a new lecture theatre, library and archive over four floors with 1,127 square metres of new floor space.

Got your own predictions? Let us know in the comments below.