Tonight:
9°c
Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, recently battered by Prince Charles and irate Belgravians for its proposed redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks, might welcome a pat on the back.
On the other hand, the Royal Institute of British Architecture's choice of the Maggie's Centre as the best recent building in London will confirm the view of some that awards are a stitch-up.
But it would surely take the most implacable Rogers-hater to begrudge this building its recognition. This is no carbuncle or ego-trip, but an elegant way of carving out a haven in the unlovely environment of Charing Cross hospital.
Warm-red walls wrap a light-filled interior, and big windows allow the space to flow. It shows that modern architects can do sensitivity, humanity and harmony with nature.
Others on the RIBA's list of awards show modern architecture is not some monolithic juggernaut, ranging from the playful amoeba-shaped windows of an arts centre in Hackney to Eric Parry's dignified additions to St Martin-in-the-Fields.
The question the Prince, and all of us, could ask is: why are more modern buildings not as delightful as these?
