The Scottish Parliament, designed by EMBT / RMJM Ltd, has won the 10th RIBA Stirling Prize in association with The Architects' Journal. The presentation of the UK's premier architectural award took place at a glittering award ceremony at the Royal Museum, Edinburgh and was televised live on Channel 4 at 8pm, Saturday 15 October.

The judges commented: “The Scottish Parliament Building is a remarkable architectural statement which has an enormous impact not only on the visitors to the building but also on the users who repeatedly move through a series of extraordinary spaces and their changing effects.

“That a project has outlived both its original client (Donald Dewar) and its architect (Enric Miralles) and still got built and built well, is very much down to the vision and dogged determination of one man: Chief Architect at the Scottish Executive, John Gibbons. This is his building every bit as much as it is Dewar's. He was the man who had to ensure that the original vision of two men who had achieved instant sainthood on their deaths and whose work could therefore not be touched, could be realised – and afforded.

“The proof of the extraordinary architectural ambition and design vision is to be seen in every aspect and detail of the finished building. At the outset, Miralles made a major contribution in leading the clients towards a proper understanding of their needs and the final formulation of the role and function of the building. Further, through his awareness of the problems and knowledge of the subject, the architect has formulated the philosophy of the role of the Parliament and reflected it in his architectural interpretation.

“In its context the building manifests itself as an attempt at an organic transition between the city and the drama of the Scottish countryside surrounding it. An extremely successful landscaping makes this transition even more striking. The experience of the interiors is extremely impressive with some of the spaces becoming real 'gems' in terms of internal public spaces (entrance hall, conference rooms and above all the Assembly Hall). The list of admirable achievements in the building is a long one and the ability of both the design and construction teams to realise a building of this complexity is truly remarkable.

“The building is a statement of sparkling excellence. On the Memory Wall one of the statements reads, “Say little and say it well”. This building is definitely saying a lot rather than little but it definitely says it well.”

Jack Pringle, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, presented Benedetta Tagliabue, representing the EMBT design team, with a cheque for £20,000.

The Scottish Parliament beat off stiff competition from five other outstanding examples of British architecture. BMW Central Building, Leipzig, Germany - Zaha Hadid Architects, Lewis Glucksman Gallery, University College, Cork, Ireland – O'Donnell + Tuomey, McLaren Technology Centre, Woking, Surrey - Foster and Partners, Jubilee Library, Brighton, Sussex - Bennetts Associates with Lomax Cassidy + Edwards, Fawood Children's Centre, Harlesden, NW10 - Alsop Design Ltd.

The RIBA Stirling Prize jury visited all six shortlisted buildings and then met for a final time on the day of the presentation to pick the winner. The judges were: Jack Pringle – President of the RIBA; Isabel Allen – Editor, The Architects' Journal; Joan Bakewell – broadcaster and writer; Max Fordham – environmental engineer; and Piers Gough – architect, writer and broadcaster.