LONDON.- Guangzhou International Finance Centre in China by Wilkinson Eyre Architects has won the
Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) 2012 Lubetkin Prize for the best new international building. Now in its sixth year, the RIBA Lubetkin Prize is awarded to the architects of the best new building outside the European Union.
The presentation of the RIBA Lubetkin Prize trophy took place at a special ceremony Saturday 13 October in Manchester.
The Guangzhou International Finance Centre in China is a 440m tower and the tallest building in the world by a UK architect. It has a mixture of uses including office space, a luxury hotel and a top floor sightseeing area. At ground level, the tower connects with a substantial podium complex containing a retail mall, conference centre and high quality serviced apartments. The successful plan responds to the need for efficient internal space layouts and excellent environmental performance.
The three outstanding buildings competing alongside the Guangzhou International Finance Centre for the 2012 RIBA Lubetkin Prize were:
• One KL, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia by SCDA Architects
• Solaris, Singapore by TR Hamzah and Yeang and CPG
• Sperone Westwater, Bowery, New York by Foster + Partners
Speaking about Guangzhou International Finance Centre, RIBA President and judge, Angela Brady said: “With exceptional vision and skill, Wilkinson Eyre Architects have given their clients and the city of Guangzhou an outstanding new 103 storey landmark. The tower’s diamond shaped structure, exposed throughout the offices, atrium and hotel, looks simple but is the hugely complex key to the success of this building. It not only allows the dramatic tapering atrium and raked floors but brings environmental benefits by using 20% less steel than similar buildings. Guangzhou International Finance Centre is a worthy winner of this important prize.”
The 2012 RIBA Lubetkin Prize jury was chaired by RIBA President Angela Brady with architects Deborah Saunt, Cindy Walters, Philip Gumuchdjian and RIBA Head of Awards Tony Chapman.
