News
National Portrait Gallery shortlisted for the Stirling Prize
07 Aug 2024Lichfields is pleased that the National Portrait Gallery, for which Lichfields provided planning, heritage and townscape services, was named on the RIBA Stirling Prize 2024 shortlist last week. This comes three years after The Town House (by Grafton Architects) won the prize, where Lichfields also secured planning permission for.
The Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell project has transformed the Grade I listed gallery, making it more accessible and welcoming to the public with refurbished historical elements seamlessly blended with contemporary design.
After Lichfields secured planning permission and listed building consent five years ago, it is wonderful to see the building revitalised, with the new entrance opening the gallery up to the surrounding streets.
Heather Marshall, Heritage Director
The Kings Cross Masterplan (by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates) has also been shortlisted for this year’s award. This is a vast regeneration project in which the site’s heritage (described in the judges’ citation as the site’s ‘found-ness’) is prized, with 20 restored historic buildings grounding the masterplan in London’s story.
Lichfields has worked on several projects which formed part of the Masterplan, including securing several reserved matters applications for retail, restaurants, offices and residential development across the site – including new flats within the framework of Grade II listed Gasholders and a new supermarket in a listed Goods Shed. Lichfields also secured approval for alterations and refurbishment of the Grade II listed German Gymnasium, giving the building a new lease of life as a restaurant.
The 2024 Shortlist is a further testament to the ever-increasing role in which heritage plays the role of catalyst, not constraint. Three of the six shortlisted projects include significant conservation work, with the quality of these demonstrating that with a clear understanding of significance, careful interventions can create energy efficient and beautiful buildings.
Lichfields is proud to work alongside exceptional architects and designers to advise on, and promote this work through the planning process. We offer comprehensive and integrated planning, heritage, and townscape services that help our clients achieve exemplary design on challenging sites.
Lichfields is proud to work alongside exceptional architects and designers to advise on, and promote this work through the planning process. We offer comprehensive and integrated planning, heritage, and townscape services that help our clients achieve exemplary design on challenging sites.
Felix Charteris, Senior Heritage Consultant
Image credit: Olivier Hess