Bloomberg’s new European headquarters, located in the heart of the City of London, designed by Foster + Partners, has been awarded the Stirling Prize 2018. Bloomberg’s pioneering new European HQ has been credited as the world’s most sustainable office and is thought to be the largest stone building in the City of London since St Paul’s Cathedral.
Foster + Partners also gains the distinction of being the first practice to have been awarded the Stirling Prize three times, having won it previously in 1998 for the American Air Museum in Duxford, and in 2004 for 30 St Mary Axe. The RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture award. Given to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment, the RIBA Stirling Prize is judged on a range of criteria, including design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate, engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose and the level of client satisfaction.
Mike Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies said that he wanted to create a cutting-edge design that would push the boundaries of what an office building could be, which meant setting new standards for openness and sustainability. He also wanted to honour London’s history and contribute to its vitality through this building.