Dulwich Gallery in Southwark

Art Gallery set to storm awards - 10/07/01

Dulwich Picture Gallery on College Road is up to win UK's most coveted architectural prize - thanks to a recent �6 million facelift.

The world's oldest purpose built public art gallery has joined 11 other projects around London to win a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) award, which puts it in the running for the Stirling Prize, the annual prize awarded to the greatest contribution to British architecture.

Originally built by Sir John Soane, architect Rich Mather was the brains behind the new education centre, caf� and exhibition hall which join Soane's work with a glazed cloister.

The building has been called "unashamedly modern" but has been hailed as still maintaining its originally integrity and is a major landmark in Dulwich.

The RIBA award winners will be announced on Channel 4 on October 21. The other contenders include Portcullis House and Westminster underground station, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the National Portrait Gallery extension.

Dulwich Picture Gallery
Gallery Road,
Dulwich Village,
London SE21 7AD
tel:020 8693 5254