Sainsbury Laboratory wins 2012 Stirling Prize for architecture

A new plant science institute built to advance the research of plant growth and development, it features cutting-edge laboratories, meeting rooms and public spaces set within Cambridges botanical gardens.

Alan Stanton and Paul Williams, the directors of the London-based practice, were presented with the 20,000 prize at an award ceremony in Manchester on Saturday. It was the first time that Stanton Williams had been shortlisted for the prize.

Angela Brady, the RIBA president, said: The Sainsbury Laboratory is an exceptional building that achieves at many levels - in blending a world-class science facility with a public social space in a highly energy efficient building.

It is testament to the skill, experience and imagination of Stanton Williams architects that they have found a creative solution to this complex project. The low-rise building with its grand, colonnaded faade cleverly integrates itself with the surrounding botanical gardens and it is no surprise that the new public caf has proved to be extremely popular.

The building features energy efficient design, with rainwater collected from the roof and stored in two tanks which irrigate the gardens glasshouse and plant chambers.

Lord Sainsbury said: I am delighted that Stanton Williams has won the RIBA Stirling Prize for the Sainsbury Laboratory, in competition with some outstanding buildings. I am also very proud to be associated with their inspiring building which sets a new standard for laboratory design and blends in beautifully with the historic Botanic Gardens.

The RIBA Stirling Prize is awarded to the architects of the best European building that is built or designed in Britain.

Others shortlisted for this years Stirling Prize included David Chipperfield Architects for the Hepworth Wakefield gallery in West Yorkshire, ODonnell + Tuomey for the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, OMA for Maggies Centre in Gartnavel, Glasgow, OMA with Allies and Morrison for the New Court building in the City, and the London Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, designed by Populous.

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Sainsbury Laboratory wins 2012 Stirling Prize for architecture