The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the 20 winners of the RIBA National Awards 2025, which have been presented since 1966 to celebrate the best architecture in the UK. The awards highlight design excellence, innovation, and social value, offering insight into the country’s evolving architectural landscape.

Winning projects span a wide range of types and locations, from major civic buildings and scientific facilities to housing, conservation, and community-led schemes.

These projects now form the longlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK’s most prestigious architecture award, with the shortlist due on 4 September 2025. Since their inception in 1966, the RIBA Awards have recognised projects of all scales that set the standard for excellence in UK architecture. Photo of 8 Bleeding Heart Yard by Tim Soar Gallery. RIBA National Awards 2025

8 Bleeding Heart Yard by GROUPWORK, retrofit of a 1970s office in Farringdon, London into a sustainable, layered workplace.

Aldourie Castle Estate by Ptolemy Dean Architects, the conservation of a Grade A listed estate in Scotland using local skills.

Appleby Blue Almshouse  by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, a contemporary almshouse in Southwark, London tackling social isolation.

Citizens House by Archio, 11 affordable homes on a former garage site in Lewisham, London.

Costa’s Barbers by Brisco Loran and Arrant Industries, flexible home and office in a converted shop unit in Battersea.

Elizabeth Tower by Purcell, the most comprehensive restoration of Big Ben’s tower in over 160 years.

Fairburn Tower by Simpson & Brown, restoration of a Category A listed tower in Scotland using traditional craftsmanship.

Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects, an ethical and aesthetic extension to a 19th-century home.

Hazelmead, Bridport Cohousing by Barefoot Architects , a 53-home timber-framed cohousing development in Bridport, designed to promote community living.

Hope Street by Snug Architects, a modest, purpose-built support facility for women in the justice system in Southampton.

HMP & YOI Stirling by Holmes Miller, a trauma-informed, therapeutic women’s prison in Scotland, designed to support rehabilitation.

London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison, a vertical campus in Stratford, London uniting six former sites.

Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki Architects, a Japanese-style, fully wheelchair-accessible timber home in Southwark, London.

Sheerness Dockyard Church by Hugh Broughton Architects, transformation of a fire-damaged Grade II* church in Kent into a vibrant community space.

Sidcup Storyteller by DRDH Architects , A red-brick library, cinema, and co-working space forming the centrepiece of Sidcup’s high street regeneration.

Student Hub, Queen’s Business School Belfast by TODD Architects, a sustainable learning centre integrated with surrounding woodland.

The Discovery Centre (DISC) by Herzog & de Meuron / BDP, AstraZeneca’s triangular research facility in Cambridge, focused on innovation and wellbeing.

The Old Byre by Gianni Botsford Architects, a home and artist retreat formed from two farm buildings on the Isle of Wight.

Triangle House by Artefact, a playful extension to a 1950s suburban home in Surrey.

Young V&A by AOC Architecture and De Matos Ryan, a bright, revitalised cultural venue in Bethnal Green, London, replacing the former Museum of Childhood.

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Endorsed by Verner Panton Design AG, the work merges lighting design with immersive spatial experience outside the Copenhagen showroom of Louis Poulsen, the Danish lighting brand known for its modernist collaborations. Louis Poulsen

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The collection is available in four finishes (green, rosé, smoke, dark smoke) and three color temperatures (2700K, 3000K, 4000K). Marset

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A rural road leads to the north side of a roughly square 160 x 160m site, with the house positioned at the edge of a clearing. The 230m2 timber-framed structure is set on a raised reinforced concrete slab. Branching out horizontally, its layout makes moving through the interior feel like traversing the forest. A central spine provides multiple forest views, while windows at the ends intensify the experience of the surrounding trees. Image © FBA. Florian Busch Architects

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Lehni is a family business, involved in aluminium fabrication since 1922. Designer Philippe Malouin’s work highlights the versatility of bent aluminium, enhanced by bold colour finishes and contrasted with solid nylon components. Image of Philippe Malouin Large Console PM102, 2025. Aluminium, powder coated RAL 3024 Luminous red, nylon. Dimensions 75 x 275 x 40 cm (29 1/2 x 108 1/4 x 15 3/4 inches). Courtesy of the artist and Salon 94 Design ©Philippe Malouin Photo Credit: Jasmine Deporta.

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Copenhagen’s annual design festival, 3daysofdesign, returns in 2025 with the theme KEEP IT REAL, highlighting individuality, openness, and originality. Taking place across eight design districts in venues such as showrooms, shops, galleries, and public spaces, the festival showcases iconic furniture, lighting, accessories, and innovative materials.

In 2024, over 400 brands exhibited, drawing more than 45,000 visitors to over 500 events. The 2025 visual identity was created by Swedish graphic artist Andreas Samuelsson. 3daysofdesign

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“Liu Jiakun uplifts through the process and purpose of architecture, fostering emotional connections that unite communities,” states Tom Pritzker, Chairman of The Hyatt Foundation. Jury Chair Alejandro Aravena adds, “He has found a way to build places that are a building, infrastructure, landscape, and public space at the same time.” Liu’s work integrates local materials and craftsmanship, balancing historical influences with modern functionality. His Rebirth Bricks, made from the rubble of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, are used in projects such as Novartis Block – C6 and West Village, demonstrating his commitment to sustainability and reuse.

Liu describes his approach: “Architecture should reveal something—it should abstract, distill, and make visible the inherent qualities of local people.” His projects prioritize cultural heritage and human experience, creating spaces that support public life and community engagement. The award ceremony will take place in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time the Pritzker Prize is celebrated in the Arab world. Image of West Village courtesy of Qian Shen Photography. Pritzker Prize

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Made from die-cast aluminium, the lamp is available in five colours inspired by the fishing boats of Corrubedo, Spain, as well as a polished raw aluminium version that develops a natural patina over time. Image ©Simon Menges. Wästberg

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The 63rd edition of the Salone del Mobile in Milan will host over 2,000 exhibitors from 37 countries, showcasing 148 first-time and returning brands across 169,000 sq m. Additionally, the Euroluce Biennial will return, featuring more than 300 brands from 25 countries, and SaloneSatellite will highlight 700 young designers under 35 along with 20 international design schools and universities.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Building Worlds Fit for the Future’, emphasizing sustainable innovation, industrial manufacturing, and emotional intelligence. Image of Communication Campaign 2025 ‘Thought for Humans.’ Concept by Dentsu Creative Italy © Bill Durgin

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Frieze New York returns to The Shed in New York, featuring over 65 leading galleries from 25+ countries, including Gagosian, White Cube, and David Zwirner. The fair’s Focus section spotlights 12 emerging galleries, each showing solo presentations from emerging or under appreicated artists.

Across the city, the Frieze Week program includes major exhibitions at MoMA, the Whitney, and the Guggenheim.  Photo by Casey Kelbaugh. Courtesy of Frieze and CKA. Frieze New York

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