RIBA announces best British buildings for 2025

A Scottish prison, a fashion university building and the renovation of Elizabeth Tower have been named among the winners of the Royal Institute of British Architects' National Awards for 2025. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced 20 winners in its National Awards this year, including projects designed by Herzog & de Meuron, Purcell and The post RIBA announces best British buildings for 2025 appeared first on Dezeen.

RIBA announces best British buildings for 2025
Elizabeth Tower restoration

A Scottish prison, a fashion university building and the renovation of Elizabeth Tower have been named among the winners of the Royal Institute of British Architects' National Awards for 2025.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced 20 winners in its National Awards this year, including projects designed by Herzog & de Meuron, Purcell and Allies and Morrison.

Elizabeth Tower restoration
Above: The Elizabeth Tower was named one of the RIBA National Award winners. Photo by the House of Commons. Top: A converted building in Scotland was also among the winning projects. Photo courtesy of RIBA

Established in 1966, the annual RIBA National Awards aims to celebrate the UK's best architecture projects and give insight into the country's architectural design and social trends.

This year's winning projects range from a barn conversion and church restoration to a glass-clad research facility and a women's prison.

The Discovery Centre by Herzog & de Meuron and BDP
A glass-clad research facility by Herzog & de Meuron and BDP was named one of the best buildings in the UK. Photo by Hufton + Crow

"Each of these 20 winning projects is a powerful testament to the diversity and depth of our profession," said RIBA Awards Group chair Simon Henley.

"They demonstrate how architecture is not just a creative force, but also central in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time."

HMP and YOI Stirling by Holmes Miller
Three of the winning projects are based in Scotland, including a women's prison. Photo by Chris Humphries

The majority of the 20 winning projects are in England, including nine in London.

A learning space nestled in a woodland setting is the only project located in Northern Ireland.

Projects located in Scotland include the restoration of two Grade A-listed buildings and a women's prison that was designed by Holmes Miller as a therapeutic alternative to traditional prison architecture.

Another prison alternative to be named a National Award winner was Hope Street in Southampton, designed by UK studio Snug Architects to provide support to women in the justice system.

Hope Street by Snug Architects
The wood-lined Hope Street was also a winner. Photo by Fotohaus

Other winning projects that champion restoration include the Elizabeth Tower by architecture studio Purcell and the Young V&A children's museum in London, which was renovated by architecture studios De Matos Ryan and AOC.

"As a profession, we now look to the past as much as the future, and to care and repair as we do to build," said Henley.

"We continue to innovate, but we also seek continuity, and in so doing, to make work of every scale that is engaging and thoughtful."

Young V&A
RIBA also named the Young V&A children's museum on the the best buildings in the UK. Photo by Hufton & Crow

Elsewhere in England, a university building for the London College of Fashion by British architecture studio Allies and Morrison made the list, as well as an affordable housing block in London by Archio and a research facility in Cambridge by architecture studios Herzog & de Meuron and BDP.

The winners of the RIBA National Awards are eligible to be considered for the shortlist of the prestigious Stirling Prize, which will be announced on 4 September.

London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison
The majority of the winning projects were based in London, including a university building by Allies and Morrison. Photo by Simon Menges

Last year, the Stirling Prize was awarded to London's Elizabeth Line, and in 2023 the prestigious award was given to a senior day-care centre in London.

The full list of RIBA National Awards winners is below:


East
The Discovery Centre by Herzog & de Meuron and BDP

London

› 8 Bleeding Heart Yard by Groupwork
Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects
Citizens House by Archio
› Costa's Barbers by Brisco Loran and Arrant Industries
Elizabeth Tower by Purcell
London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison
› Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki Architects
Sidcup Storyteller by DRDH Architects
Young V&A by AOC Architecture and De Matos Ryan

Citizens House by Archio
An affordable housing block by Archio was one of the London-based projects. Photo by French+Tye

Northern Ireland
› Student Hub, Queens Business School Belfast by TODD Architects

Scotland

› Aldourie Castle Estate by Ptolemy Dean Architects
› Fairburn Tower by Simpson and Brown for The Landmark Trust
› HMP and YOI Stirling by Holmes Miller

Student Hub, Queens Business School Belfast by TODD Architects
The only project located in Northern Ireland was a learning space at Queens Business School Belfast. Photo by Donal McCann

South
› Hope Street by Snug Architects
› The Old Byre by Gianni Botsford Architects

South East
Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects
Sheerness Dockyard Church by Hugh Broughton Architects
Triangle House by Artefact

South West
› Hazelmead, Bridport Cohousing by Barefoot Architects

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