ONE of the most prestigious international prizes for new architecture, the Lubetkin Prize 2009, has been won by Beijing's iconic Olympic stadium, nicknamed "the bird's nest".

The award, by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which is celebrating its 175th anniversary, was for the "most outstanding work of architecture outside the European Union by a RIBA member".

It was presented in London to Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron (who worked on the stadium with the China Architecture Design & Research Group and Arup Sport) at an event attended by some of the most illustrious architects, building engineers and designers in the world.

The RIBA's president, Sunand Prasad, said: "This year's shortlist for the Lubetkin Prize was easily the best we have seen and, although the discussion was intense, the result was clear. The National Stadium in Beijing will for a long time to come, and around the world, remain among the most memorable emblems of 2008 and of the resurgence of China as a global power."

Five other exciting and "beautifully crafted" buildings were shortlisted for the prize that is named in honour of Georgian-born architect Berthold Lubetkin who established the renowned Tecton Group in London in the 1930s.

As well as the "bird's nest" (it won the name because of its intricate criss-crossing steelwork), two other projects in China were nominated for the award. One, also built for the Beijing Olympics, was the "Watercube" - the National Swimming Centre - that was designed by PTW Architects of Sydney, Australia.

London-based Foster & Partners designed the other new building in China to be short-listed. This was the vast Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport, described as the "most architecturally and technologically advanced in the world". At 1.3 million square metres it is one of the largest buildings ever constructed, yet is said to be "simple to use".

Similar to Foster's design for Stanstead airport near London, this new terminal building in Beijing makes maximum use of natural light, but with distinct references to traditional Chinese symbols and colours.

The British High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka, was also in line for the prize. It was created by a practice in Scotland, Richard Murphy, whose team was boosted by two former employees of Geoffrey Bawa, designer of Sri Lanka's parliament.

A single-storey structure built around a series of landscaped courts, with plants and pools to add beauty and coolness, the Colombo high commission has been designed to be energy saving and appealing, yet built to be strong and robust by use of granite and reinforced concrete.

Garden courtyards also feature in another of the top six projects, this one on the other side of the world - in Dublin, in the Irish Republic - the Sean O'Casey Community Centre (named after the celebrated Irish playwright). Opened earlier this year (2009), the centre, designed by Ireland architects O'Donnell & Tuomey, has become a symbol of regeneration in the area.

Capture and use of natural light is a strong element of the design for the Brandhorst Museum in Germany, by Berlin-based Sauerbruch Hutton. The result is that artificial light is not needed for long periods. This is despite the fact that there are few standard windows in the building in order to protect the wealth of modern art displayed in the museum and which includes works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Cy Twombly and Joseph Beuys.

In total contrast, the exterior of the museum is a riot of colour, a signature feature of the architects. It is covered in 36,000 hand-crafted ceramic rods in 23 vibrant shades.

The reception and prize-giving in London's Whitehall was sponsored by Cosentino and was held in partnership with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the government's business development organisation.

Cosentino has developed ECO, a revolutionary decorative material made from 75-per-cent recycled materials including glass, porcelain and furnace residuals from factories.

The UKTI is headed by Lord (Mervyn) Davies, Minister for Trade, Investment & Business, who presented the 15 RIBA international awards from which the shortlist of six for the Lubetkin was selected.

He said the UK's architects and architecture schools are "world-renowned for their flair and excellence" adding: "From state-of-the-art airports to iconic cultural and sporting institutions, stunning examples of British architecture and engineering can be found the world over. Architecture isnow truly international in influence and scope."