RIBA Names Six Contenders for 2026 Stirling Prize

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has unveiled the six projects that will compete for the coveted 2026 Stirling Prize. This year’s shortlist showcases a compelling mix of adaptive reuse, new builds, and significant urban interventions, highlighting architectural excellence and innovation across the United Kingdom. The winner will be announced on October 15 at London’s Old Billingsgate, with the ceremony marking the prize’s 30th anniversary.

A Diverse Range of Projects Honored

The nominated schemes represent a broad spectrum of architectural practice. Among them is the adaptive reuse of a 1970s theater into a vibrant arts and culture center, an addition to a historic college courtyard, and a transformative urban design project at a major transit hub. These projects, alongside three others, have been recognized for their design quality, impact, and contribution to the built environment.

Sergison Bates Architects’ Modern Home

One of the shortlisted projects is a contemporary residence designed by Sergison Bates architects. The home draws inspiration from Georgian and Palladian proportions, featuring a series of rooms organized around a double-height atrium. Constructed with Cumbrian brick and lime mortar, the building is insulated with triple-glazed windows, creating a robust thermal envelope. Sustainable features include a ground-source heat pump, advanced ventilation, solar panels, battery storage, and rainwater management systems, all contributing to reduced energy consumption and operational costs. Julian de Metz, the 2026 Stirling Prize east jury chair, praised the project’s “measured, humane and uplifting” proportions, noting its “Moorish” feel achieved through deep reveals, quality materials, and masterful light handling.

Bennetts Associates’ Arts and Culture Hub

Bennetts Associates has been recognized for its renovation and expansion of a 1970s cinema in Hertfordshire into a new arts and culture center. Funded by the East Herts District Council, the project retained parts of the original structure while adding new screening rooms, multi-purpose spaces, and a cafe. The extension utilizes cross-laminated timber and incorporates other sustainable strategies aimed at minimizing carbon emissions. Julian de Metz described this project as “an exemplar of contemporary civic retrofit and a model of how cultural hubs can act as standard-bearers for the climate challenge.”

Lion Green Road by Mary Duggan Architects and RUFF Architects

The Lion Green Road residential development, comprising 157 units across five buildings in London’s Croydon, is another contender. Mary Duggan Architects led the design, with RUFF Architects serving as the delivery architect. The materiality of the complex echoes the scale of adjacent green-belt housing, featuring a projected brick detail inspired by the English Garden Bond. The project emphasizes landscape integration, with verdant grounds running throughout the development. Susie Le Good, London jury chair, highlighted the “landscape-led pavilion arrangement” for delivering “meaningful public benefit while offering high-quality amenity for residents and nurturing a strong sense of community.”

Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s Paddington Square

A significant urban transformation at London Paddington Station, Paddington Square by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Adamson Associates, has also made the shortlist. This project replaces a narrow arrival road with a new plaza, connecting to an 18-story mixed-use building and a new underground ticket hall. It significantly improves pedestrian flow and provides step-free access to the Bakerloo Underground line at one of London’s busiest transit points. This recognition echoes the 2024 Stirling Prize win by Grimshaw Architects for their work on the Elizabeth Line, another transit-focused project. Amir Sanei, London jury chair, called Paddington Square “A transformative piece of urban infrastructure, […] a synthesis of engineering precision, civic generosity, and architectural restraint.”

Haworth Tompkins’ Pembroke College Cambridge Expansion

Haworth Tompkins’ extensive work at Pembroke College Cambridge, the most significant construction on the historic campus since the 14th century, is also shortlisted. The project involved the design of six new structures and the renovation of six existing ones to better serve students and faculty. It introduced new social, teaching, and living spaces, along with new public and cultural areas centered around a biodiverse garden. Timber-framed structures, gas-free energy systems, and climate-resilient landscaping were key to reducing the project’s carbon footprint. Julian de Metz commended Pembroke Mill for demonstrating “how heritage, contemporary academic needs and environmental responsibility can be aligned.”

Witherford Watson Mann Architects’ Clare College Addition

Completing the shortlist is an addition to Clare College’s Old Court by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, the first new structure since the 1780s. Attached to a Grade I Listed building and visible from Queen’s Road, the design prioritized quality and contextual sensitivity. The new addition houses a cafe and features a structural skeleton constructed from laminated oak. Witherford Watson Mann Architects are previous winners, having secured the 2025 Stirling Prize. Julian de Metz noted how the architects “have woven this contemporary structure into the existing building, evolving it rather than contrasting against it.”

Key facts

The RIBA Stirling Prize is a significant recognition within the architectural community, celebrating projects that demonstrate outstanding design quality and make a substantial contribution to the life of the country. This year’s shortlist offers a compelling snapshot of contemporary architectural achievements in the UK, from sustainable residential design to the reimagining of civic and educational spaces.

Source: The Architect’s Newspaper, https://www.archpaper.com/2026/07/riba-2026-stirling-prize-shortlist/