The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced its shortlist for the London Awards 2025, featuring 78 diverse projects across the capital. From iconic landmarks to innovative housing solutions, these shortlisted projects showcase engineering excellence and architectural ingenuity that define London’s evolving urban landscape.
Several of London’s most recognizable landmarks are notable inclusions in this year’s shortlist. The Elizabeth Tower at the House of Commons, commonly known as Big Ben, has been recognized following its extensive restoration. The restoration involved intricate structural engineering to preserve the tower’s historic integrity while updating its infrastructure.
Other significant public buildings include Tower Hamlets Town Hall by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, which represents adaptive reuse of existing structures with modern engineering solutions. The Old War Office (OWO) by EPR Architects has been transformed into a mixed-use development, demonstrating how historic buildings can be repurposed while preserving their architectural significance.
Above – 3 Mills Studios by Gort Scott with Freehaus
The Royal College of Music, designed by John Simpson Architects, stands out for its technical acoustic engineering. The building incorporates specialized materials and spatial design to create optimal musical performance and instruction sound environments.
Educational institutions feature prominently in the shortlist, with Central Foundation Boys’ School by Hawkins\Brown demonstrating progressive approaches to learning environments. The London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison incorporates technical design elements that support specialized creative educational needs.
Engineering considerations are particularly evident in UCL East, Marshgate by Stanton Williams, which features advanced structural systems to accommodate flexible research spaces. The project incorporates modular construction techniques, allowing future reconfiguration as educational requirements evolve.
The New Barlby and Treverton Schools by Perkins&Will showcase specialized ventilation systems designed to improve air quality in urban educational settings. These systems integrate with the building envelope to reduce energy consumption while maintaining optimal indoor environmental conditions.
Residential Solutions and Structural Engineering
Residential projects on the shortlist demonstrate diverse approaches to urban housing challenges. A Room Around a Tree by Tikari Works exemplifies inventive structural engineering, with the building designed around existing natural elements. This required precision in foundation design and load distribution calculations to preserve tree health and structural integrity.
ABOVE -1 Berkeley Street by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Moon House by Office S&M Architects and Catching Sun House by Studioshaw feature innovative daylighting systems that maximize natural illumination while minimizing heat gain. These systems required complex computational modelling to optimize performance across seasonal variations.
Tower Court by Adam Khan Architects, Muf Architecture/Art, and Child Graddon Lewis Architects represent affordable housing with high engineering standards. The project incorporates structural systems to maximize spatial efficiency while maintaining quality living environments.
Selection Process and Technical Evaluation
All shortlisted projects will undergo site visits by a regional jury that evaluates aesthetic design, technical execution, structural innovation, and engineering quality. Winners will be announced in spring 2025, and selected projects will advance to consideration for the RIBA National Award and potentially the prestigious Stirling Prize.
ABOVE -10 Lewis Cubitt Square by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
The evaluation process includes detailed assessments of technical documentation, structural calculations, and performance metrics. Projects are judged on their engineering solutions, material efficiency, construction quality, and architectural merit.
John Nahar, RIBA Regional Director for London, noted that the shortlisted projects “capture and celebrate the city’s diverse cultural identity, contributing to inclusive and sustainable communities,” while also improving “the physical environment” and enhancing “the quality of life for all of us who live, work and study here.”
Complete RIBA London Awards 2025 Shortlist
Commercial and Mixed-Use Developments
- 1 Berkeley Street by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris: Office building featuring advanced curtain wall systems with integrated shading technologies
- 10 Lewis Cubitt Square by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris: Mixed-use development incorporating modular construction methods
- Chancery House by dMFK Architects and Norm Architects: Refurbishment project with innovative structural reinforcement techniques
- Grand Central Apartments by Stiff+Trevillion: Residential complex utilizing prefabricated structural components
- Greenhouse by Barr Gazetas: Mixed-use development featuring cross-laminated timber construction
- Newson’s Yard by Stiff+Trevillion: Retail space with specialized foundation systems for historical context
- Soho Place by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris: Complex urban development integrating with underground infrastructure
- Technique by Buckley Gray Yeoman: Office refurbishment with enhanced environmental control systems
- The OWO by EPR Architects: Adaptive reuse of historic structure with complex structural reinforcement
- The Public Courtyard and Pavilion at the OWO by DaeWha Kang Design: Public space featuring innovative tensile structures
- The Salvation Army UK and Ireland Territorial Headquarters by Tate Hindle: Office building with specialized acoustic engineering
- WorkStack by dRMM: Flexible workspace utilizing modular structural systems
Educational Facilities
- Central Foundation Boys’ School by Hawkins\Brown: Educational facility with integrated natural ventilation systems
- London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison: Specialized facility with advanced technical infrastructure for design education
- Mary Ward Centre by AWW: Educational building with passive cooling strategies
- New Barlby and Treverton Schools by Perkins&Will: School complex using prefabricated construction methods
- Quadrangle Building, King’s College London by Hall McKnight: Higher education facility featuring innovative structural solutions
- Royal College of Music, London by John Simpson Architects: Performance venue with specialized acoustic engineering
- UCL East, Marshgate by Stanton Williams: Research facility with flexible structural systems for adaptive use
- White House School by vPPR Architects: Educational building with enhanced daylighting strategies
Cultural and Public Buildings
- 3 Mills Studios by Gort Scott with Freehaus: Film studio complex with specialized structural systems for sound isolation
- Cockpit Deptford by Cooke Fawcett Architects: Creative workspace with adaptable infrastructural systems
- Design District C1 and D1 by Architecture00: Creative industry hub with innovative fabrication methods
- Design District, Buildings C2 and D2 by Mole Architects: Flexible workspace with modular construction techniques
- Elizabeth Tower by Purcell: Historic restoration with specialized structural reinforcement
- Hallelujah Project by Peregrine Bryant Architects: Community facility utilizing passive environmental strategies
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) by Bennetts Associates: Specialized medical facility with advanced technical infrastructure
- Sidcup Storyteller by DRDH Architects: Public library featuring integrated dynamic lighting systems
- Sustainable Workspaces at County Hall by Material Works Architecture: Adaptive reuse with sustainable engineering solutions
- The Gilbert and George Centre by SIRS Architects: Art gallery with specialized environmental control systems
- The Greenhill Building – Harrow Arts Centre by Chris Dyson Architects: Arts facility with innovative structural restoration
- Tower Hamlets Town Hall by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris: Civic building featuring extensive structural retrofitting
- V&A Photography Centre by Gibson Thornley with Purcell: Specialized gallery with precise environmental control systems
- Westminster Chapel by ScottWhitbyStudio: Historic restoration with careful structural intervention
- Young V&A by AOC Architecture and De Matos Ryan: Children’s museum with interactive engineering features
Residential Projects
- 415 Wick Lane by dRMM: Multi-unit residential development with prefabricated structural elements
- 8 Bleeding Heart Yard by GROUPWORK: Urban infill project with complex foundation engineering
- A Room Around a Tree by Tikari Works: Single-family home built around natural features requiring specialized structural design
- Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects: Elderly housing with universal design engineering
- Becontree Avenue by Archio: Social housing project featuring modular construction techniques
- Bell House Pottery by Burgess Architects: Live-work space with specialized ventilation systems
- Blenheim Grove by Poulsom Middlehurst, Yard Architects and New Makers Bureau: Custom housing development with shared structural systems
- Catching Sun House by Studioshaw: Single-family home utilizing passive solar engineering principles
- Chelsea Brut by Pricegore Architects: Residential refurbishment preserving brutalist structural elements
- Citizens House by Archio: Community-led housing project with innovative construction methods
- Connected House by RDA Architects: Residence featuring smart building systems integration
- Cosway Street by Bell Phillips: Social housing with advanced thermal envelope design
- Crease House by Openstudio Architects: Residential extension utilizing complex folded structural elements
- Daventry House by Mæ: Multi-unit residential with integrated accessibility engineering
- Discovered House by Robert Dye Architects: Residential renovation with uncovered historical structural elements
- forty-four by Fardaa: Multi-generational home with adaptable structural systems
- Foxwood House by John Pardey Architects: Rural residence with innovative timber engineering
- Harfield Gardens by Quinn Architects: Garden apartment complex with specialized foundation design
- Haringey Brick Bungalow by Satish Jassal Architects: Single-story residence with innovative brick construction techniques
- Hope Villa by Proctor & Shaw: Residential extension utilizing lightweight structural systems
- House Made By Many Hands by Cairn: Self-build project with community construction methods
- Idlewild Mews by vPPR Architects: Mews development with shared infrastructure systems
- Islington House by Giles Reid Architects: Urban residence featuring innovative space-saving structural solutions
- Kindred House by Pitman Tozer Architects: Multi-generational home with adaptable engineering systems
- Lordship Park by Bindloss Dawes Architects: Residential conversion with complex structural integration
- Lower Ham by Fletcher Crane Architects: Riverside home with specialized flood-resilient engineering
- Maitland Park Estate Redevelopment by Cullinan Studio with ECE Westworks: Estate regeneration with phased structural implementation
- Mid Terrace Dream by Collective Works: Terrace house renovation with innovative structural intervention
- Moon House by Office S&M Architects: Residence featuring specialized daylighting engineering
- New Wave House by Thomas-McBrien Architects & New Wave London: Custom home with integrated acoustic engineering
- Nina’s House by Nina + Co with ROAR: Residential project featuring circular economy construction principles
- Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki Architects: Residence with integrated garden structural elements
- Pine Heath by Studio Hagen Hall: Rural residential conversion with preserved structural elements
- Reciprocal House by Gianni Botsford Architects: Residence utilizing reciprocal frame structural system
- Redcross Way by Sanchez Benton Architects: Social housing with innovative prefabrication methods
- St. Mary’s Walthamstow by Matthew Lloyd Architects: Church conversion with careful structural integration
- Stables Yard by Stolon Studio Architects: Adaptive reuse project with preserved structural elements
- Terzetto by ConForm Architects: Trio of townhouses with shared structural systems
- Tower Court by Adam Khan Architects, Muf Architecture/Art, Child Graddon Lewis Architects: Social housing estate with community-focused engineering
- Westminster Fire Station by Openstudio Architects: Adaptive reuse of civic building with complex structural challenges
- Wimbledon House by Erbar Mattes: Residential renovation with innovative spatial engineering
Commercial and Specialized Facilities
- Costa’s Barbers by Brisco Loran and Arrant Industries: Small commercial space with custom fabrication details
- Oak Cancer Centre by BDP: Healthcare facility with specialized engineering systems for medical requirements
The RIBA London Awards, which have been running since 1966, establish benchmarks for engineering excellence in the built environment. The 2025 shortlist represents the evolution of structural systems, materials science, and construction techniques that define contemporary architecture.
Projects like the Quadrangle Building at King’s College London by Hall McKnight and the Oak Cancer Centre by BDP demonstrate how specialized engineering solutions can address specific functional requirements while creating distinctive architectural identities.
As these projects progress through the evaluation process, they collectively illustrate how engineering innovation continues to shape London’s urban fabric, creating buildings that respond to contemporary challenges while establishing new standards for future development.
TLDR: 2025 RIBA London Awards Shortlist
- 78 diverse projects shortlisted for the 2025 RIBA London Awards
- Notable inclusions: Elizabeth Tower, Royal College of Music, London College of Fashion
- Projects showcase innovative structural engineering and technical solutions.
- The selection spans public buildings, educational facilities, and residential developments.
- A regional jury will visit all shortlisted projects
- Winners will be announced in spring 2025, with the potential to advance to National Awards.
- The RIBA Stirling Prize winner will be announced in October 2025
