Two rising star architects are set to have their names added to the prize-winning practice in recognition of their work on the Madrid airport
The two architects behind the Richard Rogers’ Stirling Prize winning Barajas Airport in Madrid will have their names added to the name of the practice, Building can reveal.
This is thought to be the first time a signature architect has allowed other people's names to be added to the title of the practice.
Ivan Harbour and Graham Sturk, widely recognised as the rising stars of Richard Rogers’ Partnership, have been told by Rogers today that their names will be included in the title of the practice.
Richard Rogers said: “I have invited Graham Stirk and Ivan Harbour to join me, adding them to the name of the practice. I will remain as active chairman.”
A spokesperson for the practice said the announcement did not mean that Rogers was retiring. He said: "This represents a generation change not a succession change; a natural evolution of the Practice.
He added that the news would probably come as no surprise to the architectural community, which had long noticed Harbour and Stirk's contribution to the practice.
Harbour told Building that the final order of names had not yet been confirmed. He said: “It’s great. We don’t yet know how it’s going to sound but we have all agreed that Rogers can’t be used as a verb!”
The news is significant as the issue of succession has dogged the practice for years. Rogers, at 73, is still going strong but many have long argued that he should lay out a clear progression plan for when he retires.
Richard Roger's airport terminal in Madrid won this year's coveted Stirling prize on Saturday night. This is the first time the internationally celebrated architect has won the £20,000 prize.
The jury, consisting of architects Ian Ritchie, Stefan Behnisch, Martha Schwartz and journalists Mariella Frostrup and Isabel Allen, said the Barajas airport terminal stood out for "the sheer scale and complexity of what has been tackled and achieved."
In particular they praised the building's roof "sweeping across the building, cloaking the richness within."
Roger's beat off Zaha Hadid, the bookmakers favourite by 6-4, as well as Caruso St Jean, Hopkins Architects and David Adjaye.
Roger's was the only shortlisted architect to enter two buildings, the other being the Welsh National Assembly.
