Opened just under a year ago in Deptford in the south east of London, the Laban dance centre by Herzog & de Meuron is winner of the 2003 Stirling Prize, the prestigious award given each year by the RIBA for the best British building.

According to the jury, the Laban centre has brought a “significant and beautiful” new symbol to the Deptford area as well as offering an excellent means of regenerating the whole area. A singular and simple container with a double skin wrapping around the building – a delicate membrane of panels of coloured polycarbonate on the outside and an insulating layer on the inside absorbs solar power allowing for energy savings.

The other finalists included Norman Foster’s Great Court, the BedZed sustainable village by Bill Dunster Architects, the Tiree Shelter by Sutherland Hussey, the Plymouth Theatre Royal Production Centre by Ian Ritchie and an office building by Eric Parry.

This is the eighth year for the award, last year received by Wilkinson Eyre for the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

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