The six buildings in the final were all inspiring; the winner Madrid Airport stunning. Planners in Sheffield should take note. Contemporary buildings stop Cities looking bland; be brave I say to our loacal planners, we need more buildings with Characters see www.channel4.com/stirling

The six buildings are, as you say, inspiring. I like modern buildings as much as I admire many Victorian buildings, but the trouble with most architects when they design new, modern buildings is that, along with city planners, they fail to take note of the buildings surrounding a new site and thus produce for their own prestige something entirely alien to its surroundings.

I live in Manchester, and have done for many years. I’ve seen the city being rebuilt from the rubble of the second world war to the rubble from the IRA bombing, and I hate the Urbis building which was prestigious from its architects’ point of view but ugly from the viewpoint of many citizens.

The Arndale Centre, the main city shopping area, won awards after it was constructed — only to be described later as a gigantic toilet, which it exactly what it looked like! Thankfully, the IRA destroyed most of it without loss of life.

From the pictures of award winners, it seems that we do have some architects who care about the impact their buildings will have on a city — but alas they are few and far between.

My personal favorite was the Welsh National Assembly building.

They are all brilliant, the science centre would look good in Sheffield (IMO)

They are all brilliant, the science centre would look good in Sheffield (IMO)

Are you serious? That concrete slab is perfectly suited to its present environment, i.e. somewhere in Germany that I will never have to visit.

The other 5 entries are all great although the hospital raises some concerns over the practicalities of cleaning, controlling heat, light etc.

Are you serious? That concrete slab is perfectly suited to its present environment, i.e. somewhere in Germany that I will never have to visit.


I'm sure the people of Germany are weeping at the missed opportunity of a visit from your modern self as they enjoy their new museum.

I'm sure the people of Germany are weeping at the missed opportunity of a visit from your modern self as they enjoy their new museum.

I gather there has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth. Heidi Klum has taken it particularly hard I understand.