Zaha Hadid’s academy trumps Velodrome to win Stirling Prize

Zaha Hadid has stunned the world of architecture once again after scooping the Stirling Prize for the second year running.

Hadid’s Evelyn Grace Academy trumped the bookies’ 2:1 favourite, the London 2012 Velodrome by Hopkins Architects.

It is the first time a school has ever won the Striling Prize, at a time when spending on school architecture has come under attack from the Conservative-led coalition government.

Zaha Hadid Architects won the award last year for its MAXXI Museum of 21^st Century Art in Rome.

Hadid said: “It is very significant that our first project in London is the Evelyn Grace.

“Schools are among the first examples of architecture that everyone experiences and have a profound impact on all children as they grow up.

“I am delighted that the Evelyn Grace Academy has been so well received by all its students and staff.”