2026 Categories

Entry deadline extended! Due to popular demand, we're giving you two extra weeks to enter the Architect of the Year Awards 2026. Take this opportunity to finalise your submissions or even add new categories such as our 'One-Off' accolades or Best Employer. These categories are designed for a more streamlined entry process- focusing on a single standout project or your practice culture - making them a quick and effective way to increase your chances of winning without the need for a full practice portfolio. Showcase your most impactful work on the industry's biggest stage by submitting before the new deadline.


How to enter:

To begin, simply login using previous details or register your account. You can then add your chosen categories to your basket and access the full entry criteria and submission questions. You have the flexibility to enter as many categories as you wish and can add or remove them from your dashboard at any time.

Important Submission Requirements

Please note that all entries require you to produce and upload a presentation board. We highly recommend reviewing the full rules and eligibility doc below, as they are essential for the judging process.

 Get in touch: Contact our team at aya@assemblemediagroup.co.uk 
Stay informed: sign up to our mailing list (selecting BD AYA under the 'Interest-based email' options) for updates

Good luck!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTRY CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY PDF.

Extended entry Deadline: 22 May 2026




This award rewards architectural practices that promote a high-quality work environment for their employees. The judges will be looking for evidence that employers are providing opportunities for career advancement including training and development initiatives. Employers should also have policies that promote wellbeing and a healthy work life balance including flexible working, a quality work environment, maternity and paternity leave and efforts to tackle a long hours culture. Good employers will promote equal pay and have policies that have initiatives that ensure women are not disadvantaged in the workplace. Previous entrants to this category should focus on new initiatives and changes since the last entry to this award.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
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Your entry should be displayed across one A1 PDF board including as many pictures as you see fit. Please include 1000 words as to why you should win this award, considering the below:

 - Training initiatives – this can include any training or development initiative
 - Wellbeing – this can include mental health initiatives; physical health initiatives; staff wellbeing support and evidence of a healthy working environment.
 - Work life balance – this can include maternity and paternity leave; flexible working policies and efforts to tackle long-hours culture.
- Equality – this can include measures to promote diversity, equal pay and initiatives to ensure women are not disadvantaged at work.

 Your entry should be tailored to why you deserve/what you are doing to win the award this year, looking at initiatives that have spanned across December 2024 – December 2025.

This award is open to architects working on the conservation and sensitive adaption of buildings of historic interest. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. The judges will be looking for evidence of all round design excellence and sensitive adaption of buildings of historic interest for the modern age whilst retaining their essential character over a body of work. The judges will also be looking at ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.

£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.
 • A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted
 • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry
 • Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types
 
For each project in the entry, please include:

 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award rewards architects who have made innovative use of digital technologies to pioneer techniques to enable more effective and efficient designs that deliver better outcomes for clients. Initiatives can include, but in no way limited to those that help architects evaluate multiple design options to meet client and regulatory needs. This could include tools to help clients to gain a fuller appreciation of what the finished project will be like. This award also recognizes the use of digital methodologies that save time and help deliver more predictable, better quality results for those in the supply chain. This award is also open to those who have developed digital tools to automate administrative and other business related tasks that help practices function more efficiently and free up staff to focus on more creative and productive work. Please state what the initiative is and why it was introduced, how it was developed and successfully implemented. Please also state the benefits for the practice including time and financial savings and the benefits for the supply chain and the client/end user.

£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

• Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.

• A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted

 • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry

• Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types

For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award is open to architects working on buildings - whether residential or teaching facilities – in the nursery, primary and secondary education sector including sixth form colleges. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. One project may be international. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, an appropriate response to context and positive contribution to the community, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

• Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.

• A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry

• Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types

For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

Sponsored by:

This award is open to architects working on buildings - whether residential or teaching facilities – in the higher education sector. This can include further education colleges, technical colleges, post 18 community colleges and universities. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. One project may be international. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, an appropriate response to context and positive contribution to the community, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.
 • A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted
 • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry
 • Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types
 • For each project in the entry, please include:

 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
- At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

Sponsored by:

This award is open to architects working on all forms of housing development from a minimum of two homes up to large-scale multi-unit housing developments. This includes homes for sale, social housing and market rate rental homes. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. One project may be international. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight occupiers, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.

• A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted

• Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry

• Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types

• For each project in the entry, please include:

- Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

Sponsored by:

This category is intended for one-off family houses of any budget. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight the occupiers, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022

. • A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry

• Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types

• For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award recognises the suppliers who have really gone the extra mile in their partnerships with architects. Any organisation that supplies a product, software or service to the architectural industry is eligible to enter. The industry partner will show an exemplary record of customer service by demonstrating how challenges faced by architects are solved by proactively offering initiatives, products or services that deliver success for their clients. Judges will be looking for innovative solutions and evidence of how these helped serve the architectural industry. Evidence can include metrics, product development information to solve a specific issue and testimonials from satisfied customers. Your entry should be displayed across one PDF board (no larger than A1) and including as many pictures as you see fit. Please include up to 1000 words as to why you should win this award.

£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
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Your entry should be displayed across one PDF board (no larger than A1) and include data, images and a written submission not exceeding 1000 words describing why you should win this award.

Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on the design of interiors – whether those of shops, restaurants, hotels, houses or offices. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. One project may be international. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.


£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.

• A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry

• Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types

• For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award is open to architects working on the design of offices, whether newbuilt or refurbishments of existing structures. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, an appropriate response to context and positive contribution to the community, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.

• A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry

• Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types

• For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
- At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

Sponsored by:

This award recognises architects who are undertaking projects of a relatively small scale, whether new build or refurbishment, and is open to one off small-projects. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025, and your project must be under £5 million in value. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work.

£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025, and your project must be under £5 million in value. 

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on large, one off projects from any sector, whether new build or refurbishment, with a value of over £100m. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work.

£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on any project of public function, including theatres, galleries, libraries, visitor centres, civic and religious buildings. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

• Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.
 • A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted
 • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry
 • Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types
 • For each project in the entry, please include:

 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award is open to architects working on projects that include public realm interventions to improve the overall quality of a place including the wider area beyond the boundaries of a development. Projects from any sector such as housing, mixed use, commercial and retail are eligible. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence and interventions over a body of work that have improved the overall quality of schemes to delight and promote the wellbeing of all those who interact with these projects. Consideration will also be given to the wider, social, economic and cultural impact of the projects. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.

£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.
 • A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted
 • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry
 • Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types
 • For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award is open to architects working on the remodelling of existing structures. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. The judges will be looking for evidence of all round design excellence and creative reinvention of existing structures to meet modern needs over a body of work. The judges will also be looking at ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.

• A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry

• Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types

• For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award celebrates architects who transcend "net-zero" to deliver projects that actively restore and enhance our natural and social ecosystems. We recognise those who treat the built environment as a catalyst for healing the planet, focusing on the health of the entire life-cycle—from the sourcing of materials to the eventual re-integration of resources into the circular economy. 

The panel will evaluate entries based on their ability to move beyond mitigation toward positive transformation. Extra weight will be afforded to entries that provide quantitative performance data (such as post-occupancy ecological metrics or life-cycle assessments) alongside qualitative narratives of how the design has improved its specific site and community context.

Key areas of focus include:

- Holistic carbon positivity: evidence of minimizing embodied carbon and optimising operational energy, with an emphasis on projects that act as carbon sinks.

- The circular economy: demonstrable strategies for material disassembly, upcycling, and the elimination of waste.

- Ecological & human flourishing: design excellence that "delights" users while actively promoting biodiversity, psychological wellbeing, and community resilience.

- Systemic integration: how the project functions as part of a larger living system (e.g., water restoration, soil health, or local resource loops). 
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.
Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.
 • A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry
 • Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types
 • For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award is open to architects working on retail and leisure facilities of all scale including sports facilities, shops, cinemas, leisure centres, restaurants, hotels and spas. Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Please prepare your entry as electronic A1 scale landscape presentation panels in pdf format. For entries with two panels please submit these as separate pages in one pdf document.

 • Your entry must include one built project within the year December 1 December 2024 – 1 December 2025. Other projects can be built, or unbuilt, but completed projects must have been finished within the last 3 years, after 1 December 2022.
 • A maximum of TWO panels showing a minimum of TWO and a maximum of FOUR projects should be submitted
 • Please include the name of the practice and the title of the category you are entering on your entry
 • Please make a clear distinction between completed projects and uncompleted or unbuilt work including the completion dates. You may choose to use separate boards to display the two types
 • For each project in the entry, please include:
 - Name of practice, the project's name, location, client, dates for the commencement and completion of construction and contract value
 - A concise 100-250 word description of the project, conveying the challenge of the brief, the design intent, and key facts
 - As many photographs, sketches and/or visualisations as you feel appropriate
 - At least one plan and one section drawing. A location plan is recommended, particularly for the public realm and placemaking category.

This award is open to practices where the majority of principals have been practicing for 12 years or under on the deadline for award entries. If there are only two principals, both need to have been practicing for less than 12 years on the deadline for award entries. Entries from architects with a strong philosophy but without the back-up of much built work are encouraged, as are entries from previous YAYA entrants. The award is open to UK and European architects. Architects should be registered with ARB or the relevant architectural body in their country.
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UK Design Capital 2026 Shortlist Revealed!

Building Design is thrilled to announce the return of the UK Design Capital of the Year award for 2026. Following the success of Manchester’s win last year, we have officially revealed the four cities leading the way in architecture, placemaking, and regeneration.

The 2026 Shortlist:

  • Bradford: For its inventive drive toward city-centre renewal.
  • Cardiff: For bold civic leadership and public realm interventions.
  • York: For balancing historic stewardship with forward-looking growth.
  • Plymouth: For its emerging momentum and regeneration ambition.

This award, recognises cities that go beyond individual buildings to demonstrate outstanding leadership in shaping the built environment. Our high-profile advisory panel—including Sadie Morgan, Nicholas Boys Smith, and Martyn Evans—will now move to the final judging phase after a series of in-depth city profiles by the Building Design editorial team.