No 1 for nuns! Niall McLaughlin is architecture's discreet daredevil and deserves its top award

"When Niall McLaughlin was shortlisted for the Stirling prize in 2013, for designing an exquisitely jewel-like chapel for a theological college near Oxford, he brought along his client to the prize-giving ceremony. It was the first (and possibly last) time a group of Anglican nuns had ever graced such a spectacle. Despite clearly having God on his side, he lost out that year, but eventually scooped the Stirling in 2022, for the New Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge."

"Founded in 1428, Magdalene's alumni include Samuel Pepys, Norman Hartnell and Bamber Gascoigne. Oxbridge colleges expect their buildings to endure, and McLaughlin delivered a reassuringly robust and handsomely detailed exemplar, mixing crisp planes of brick that recalled the American modernist Louis Kahn, with top notes of English Arts and Crafts, echoing the gabled forms of the college's historic courts. McLaughlin has now gone one better with the award of this year's royal gold medal, one of the world's most illustrious architectural honours."

"Given in recognition of a lifetime's work, the gold medal is awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) on behalf of the monarch, to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence on the advancement of architecture. It recognises McLaughlin's impact across architectural practice, critical discourse and design education. Riba's honours jury describes him as a pivotal figure in contemporary architecture, whose work not only enriches the architectural profession but also addresses its evolving challenges."

Niall McLaughlin was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize in 2013 for a jewel-like chapel near Oxford and won the Stirling in 2022 for the New Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge. Magdalene, founded in 1428, expects enduring buildings, and the library mixes crisp brick planes recalling Louis Kahn with English Arts and Crafts gables referencing historic courts. The Royal Institute of British Architects awarded the Royal Gold Medal in recognition of a lifetime's work and significant influence across practice, critical discourse and design education. McLaughlin is described as a pivotal figure in contemporary architecture who addresses evolving challenges.

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