Evelina Children’s Hospital voted number one building

Polling a staggering 49 per cent of the vote, the hospital beat off stiff competition from five other buildings, including the winner of this year's RIBA Stirling Prize, the new terminal of Madrid's Barajas Airport.

The winner of the poll, which was organised by Channel 4, was announced during the RIBA Stirling Prize final on Saturday night.

"We are absolutely delighted to have been voted as the public's number one building," says Alastair Gourlay, who oversaw the building of the new hospital. "Winning is recognition for all the people who have made the hospital possible.

"We all know the Evelina is world-class, but it's great to know other people think so too. I would like to thank everyone who voted – getting nearly half of the votes is amazing."

Clinical director Dr Frances Flinter adds: "Since opening last October we have been inundated with enquiries about the hospital from clinicians and architects from across the UK and further afield, including Australia, Spain, Holland and Germany. The Evelina is undoubtedly influencing the building of new hospitals in Britain and across the world."

The 140-bed Evelina cost £60million to build and was funded by a grant of £50million from Guy's and St Thomas' Charity and £10million from the NHS. The new hospital, which is based on the St Thomas' Hospital site, brings the majority of Guy's and St Thomas' children's services together under one roof.