LONDON, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- This year's Stirling prize, one of the most prestigious architectural accolades in Britain, goes to buildings that once housed workshops where scenery and stage settings were created for West End theaters here.
Three industrial buildings, dating back to the Victorian era, have been remodelled and flanked at either end by entirely new buildings; one with a striking, spiky saw-toothed roof.
The end result is a new free-entry gallery to display the collection of the celebrated artist Damien Hirst's private collection.
Internationally-renowned Hirst is famed for a series of artworks in which dead animals -- including a shark, a sheep and a cow -- are preserved in formaldehyde.
London architects Caruso St John collected the Stiring prize Thursday night from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
The award, now in its 21st year, is given in honor of the famous architect James Stirling, for Britain's best new building of the year.
Caruso St John have previously been shortlisted twice for the Stirling prize.
The Newport Street Gallery involved the conversion and transformation of a street facing a railway line in the Vauxhall area of south London. It has become a free public gallery for Hirst's private art collection.
A huge LED panel on the railway facade encourages passing train commuters to visit the gallery.
The ground and upper floors within the interconnected five buildings are continuous, with new spiral staircases, to create flexible spaces able to accommodate everything from individual works to larger shows.
The judging panel commented: "This highly accomplished and expertly detailed art gallery is a bold and confident contribution to the best of UK architecture."
RIBA president Jane Duncan said: "Caruso St John have created a stunningly versatile space from a number of linked buildings, with beautifully crafted staircases and superb details including tactile brick facades that blend the street externally and create a succession of wonderful gallery spaces. This project exemplifies the best of UK architecture."
Architect Peter St John said: "We see the building as a palace for direct, intimate, and luxurious encounters with contemporary art, and we are very pleased that this award will bring more people to see this extraordinary collection."
