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Dezeen's top 10 UK architecture projects of 2025
Adaptive reuse and renovations have emerged as dominant trends in British architecture this year, as seen in this recap of the UK's top buildings for our Review of 2025.
Hazelmead, Dorset, by Barefoot Architects
Shared vegetable gardens and car-free streets are woven throughout Hazelmead, the UK's largest co-housing project, completed by Barefoot Architects in the southwest of England.
The timber-framed residences, which are arranged around a village green with a straw and timber "common house", respond to a critical shortage of affordable homes in the area. All 53 of its dwellings were sold or rented at 80 per cent of market value.
Find out more about Hazelmead ›
V&A East Storehouse, London, by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
One of the most significant buildings to open in the UK this year was the V&A East Storehouse – a working storage facility created by Diller Scofidio + Renfro for the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The project, which also featured in our roundup of the top 10 museums of 2025, is housed in the former 2012 London Olympics media hangar and filled with rows of metal storage racks that double as displays.
It is also home to the David Bowie Centre by IDK, which contains a public exhibition showcasing the influential artist's iconic, era-defining costumes.
Find out more about V&A East Storehouse ›
The Wool Hall, Somerset, by Tuckey Design Studio
Artists including Annie Lennox, The Smiths and Tears for Fears are among those to have graced this Grade II-listed recording studio, refurbished by Tuckey Design Studio earlier this year.
The studio overhauled the building, formerly a wool trading hub, to unify a series of ad hoc alterations, including a 1980s extension that has been reinvigorated with red-stained timber (top image).
Find out more about The Wool Hall ›
The Chancery Rosewood, London, by David Chipperfield Architects
Eero Saarinen's former mid-century modern US Embassy in Mayfair reopened as a hotel this year, thanks to a revamp by David Chipperfield Architects and Joseph Dirand.
The team aimed to restore some of Saarinen's original visions, reversing any compromising modifications made over the years, including external security measures that had closed the building off.
Find out more about The Chancery Rosewood ›
Take A Bow, Kilmarnock, by O'DonnellBrown
In Scotland, O'DonnellBrown extended a 1970s community centre to create a home for a local not-for-profit performing arts organisation.
The studio enlivened the building with a timber colonnade and multipurpose extension while preserving as much of the existing building fabric as possible.
Find out more about Take A Bow ›
Gradel Quadrangles, Oxford, by David Kohn Architects
Scaly-looking metal tiles and gargoyles depicting animals animate the roof of this college building at the University of Oxford. Created by David Kohn Architects, it was designed to have an informal and playful presence that changes in appearance depending on the vantage point.
"It changes a lot as you move around it," the studio's founder told Dezeen. "The scheme is very varied in its experience to offer many opportunities for delight and surprise."
Find out more about Gradel Quadrangles ›
Lambeth Palace renovation, London, by Wright and Wright
Wright and Wright completed restoration works on the Grade I-listed Lambeth Palace in London, improving its accessibility and environmental performance, earlier this year.
Among the highlights of the project was the revamp of the Great Hall, pictured above, for which the studio collaborated with stonemasons and conservationists to reopen it as an events space.
Find out more about the Lambeth Palace renovation ›
Iorram, Plockton, by Baillie Baillie Architects
Iorram, a one-bed home in the Scottish Highlands, is the smallest project on this list.
The inconspicuous residence is defined by its natural material palette, which is dominated by Douglas fir and celebrates natural imperfections within the finishes.
"We used locally grown timber in a way that is honest and matter-of-fact – imperfections and all," said the architect. "A crack along the grain or a knot only adds to its sense of being a natural material."
Power Hall, Manchester, by Carmody Groarke
In the north of England, Carmody Groarke overhauled a gallery at the Grade II-listed Science and Industry Museum, which was once used as a goods shed.
The studio prioritised highlighting the building's original details, while inserting a raised central platform and circulation ramps that hark back to the original layout and offer views of the various exhibits.
Find out more about Power Hall ›
Nyth, Bangor, by Manalo & White
In North Wales, Manalo & White created a youth arts centre in the shell of a 19th-century church.
The conversion included the excavation of the undercroft to house a green room and studio, and saw the nave transformed into a performance space with a steel-framed mezzanine.
Original organ pipes, ceramic tiles, stones and wooden pews have been repurposed as surface materials throughout, reflecting the team's prioritisation of "heritage-led reuse over replacement".
The post Dezeen's top 10 UK architecture projects of 2025 appeared first on Dezeen.
