Leader The only consensus about the Stirling shortlist is that it avoids controversy, says Kieran Long

摘要

The coverage of the Stirling Prize shortlist in the national press has been diverse and vocal, and shows that the prize is established as part of the UK's cultural life. But the critical reaction demonstrates that no one quite knows what to make of it. The RiBA is probably happy that it has avoided controversy. The docile press reaction must partly be caused by the list avoiding the two controversial projects that are probably the greatest achievements in the last year in terms of scale and construction - Wembley Stadium and Terminal 5. The Stirling jury was bold enough to give the prize to the Scottish Parliament in 2005 despite terrible delays and overspends, but Foster and Rogers seem to have suffered this year for the damaged reputations of their buildings. It's harsh that the final Stirling jury (of which I will be a part) will not have the chance to discuss projects of this complexity.