Six of the best: RIBA announces shortlist for architecture's prestigious Sterling Prize

An innovative location extension, an awe-inspiring caller office for manner and a pioneering aesculapian investigation installation are among six buildings shortlisted for nan Sterling Prize, Britain's apical grant for architecture.

From improving assemblage life and collaborative activity to transforming run-down derelict homes into desirable spaces, nan shortlist reflects a wide scope of ambition and optimism.

In praise of nan nominees chosen RIBA President, Chris Williamson, said: “These projects show architecture’s unsocial expertise to reside immoderate of nan astir urgent challenges of our time, responding pinch creativity, adaptability and care. From a monumental civic building that champions finance successful arts and culture, to nan delicate restoration of 1 nan nation’s astir iconic landmarks, and a cutting-edge aesculapian investigation facility, each offers a blueprint for really architecture tin enrich society."

"At a clip erstwhile value lodging is urgently needed crossed nan country, nan residential projects guidelines retired for their inventive, human-centred design, from societal lodging that combats isolation successful later life, to a bold location hold that celebrates reuse, and an accessible location that proves that beauty and accessibility tin coexist.  

Together, these projects connection a hopeful imagination for nan future, 1 wherever architecture strengthens communities and helps style a much sustainable and inclusive built environment.” 

These are nan six projects vying for nan UK’s highest accolade successful architecture: 

Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects

Replacing an abandoned attraction home, Appleby Blue radically reimagines nan accepted almshouse to foster organization and trim isolation among residents. The layout flips a centuries-old typology, placing communal spaces astatine its bosom to promote interaction, while bay windows astatine thoroughfare level link residents to nan extracurricular world.

Thoughtful details, specified arsenic nan timber-clad interior, discreet accessibility features and terracotta paved hallways bursting pinch benches and planters, purpose to deinstitutionalise nan emblematic exemplary of older people’s housing. The consequence is simply a caller modular for inclusive societal lodging successful later life. 

Elizabeth Tower by Purcell

Housing nan symbolic ‘Big Ben’ doorbell – nan timepiece of nan nation, nan astir broad restoration of Elizabeth Tower successful 160 years is simply a conservation masterpiece. Traditional materials and bespoke craftspeople were originated from crossed nan UK to honour nan Tower’s original design, rectifying erstwhile restoration missteps and repairing recently uncovered harm from nan Second World War.

Careful details, specified arsenic reinstating nan Victorian colour strategy connected nan timepiece faces and reintroducing nan St George’s Cross, return nan building to its erstwhile glory. Subtle improvements to accessibility, including a caller visitant lift, person besides opened up nan monument to a broader assemblage for nan first time. 

Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects

Instead of demolishing an ageing hillside home, Hastings House reuses and celebrates nan existing building and materials to create a location of contrasts. A restrained, updated Victorian beforehand gives measurement to a modern, timber framed rear, while a unsmooth actual courtyard celebrates its business character.

A bid of stitched extensions measurement up nan hillside, blending wrong and extracurricular to cleverly create light-filled, unfastened spaces. The consequence goes beyond a location extension, transforming nan full location and producing a instruction successful restrained, inventive reuse. 

London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison

Located successful nan taste bosom of nan Queen Elizabeth Park successful Stratford, nan caller location for nan London College of Fashion brings together its 6,000 unit and students for nan first time. A constrained tract prompted a vertical field rising to 17 storeys, pinch melodramatic staircases unfurling done a shared “heart space” to promote collaboration.

A restrained palette of materials allows nan building to enactment arsenic a canvas for its occupants, while agelong sightlines and elastic workspaces beforehand adaptability. Subtle nods to nan area’s business history create nan emotion of a thriving “factory for fashion”.  

Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki Architects

Meaning “Garden Home” successful Japanese, Niwa House is simply a pavilion-like oasis built connected a antecedently derelict South London plot. Sprawling crossed and downwards to navigate readying constraints, this “horizontal home” is simply a masterclass successful craftsmanship and restraint.

Subtle interventions, specified arsenic a flowing open-plan layout and integrated accessibility features create a seamless acquisition for its wheelchair-user resident while futureproofing it for later life, demonstrating really inclusive creation tin beryllium functional yet elegant. A hybrid timber and chromatic structure, paired pinch level to ceiling windows, bathe each room successful light, while a courtyard plot rising done some floors underlines nan serene consciousness of escapism. 

The Discovery Centre (DISC) by Herzog and de Meuron / BDP

AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre radically redefines nan investigation facility, blending cutting-edge laboratories pinch welcoming nationalist spaces. The amazingly low-rise, sawtooth-roofed building adopts a curved triangular plan, forming an inviting interface for Cambridge’s Biomedical Cluster.

At its heart, a publically accessible courtyard echoes nan city's iconic assemblage quadrangles, 1 of nan buildings galore tributes to Cambridge’s heritage. Inside, 16 glass-lined laboratories are connected by clever interconnecting corridors that equilibrium stringent information pinch transparency, putting subject connected display. Flexible laboratory stations and open-plan layouts foster invention successful a bold caller prototype for investigation facilities. 

The victor of nan RIBA Stirling Prize 2025 will beryllium announced astatine London’s Roundhouse connected 16 October 2025.