2026 Shortlist

The moment you've been waiting for is here! We're thrilled to unveil the official shortlist for the Architect of the Year Awards 2026. A huge congratulations to all the practices that have made the cut this year! Your innovative projects and exceptional talent truly represent the very best of UK architecture. We were incredibly impressed by the quality and breadth of entries, making the judging process a challenging but inspiring one. Explore the full shortlist below and discover the projects and firms pushing the boundaries of architectural excellence. Join us in celebrating these outstanding achievements on the night by booking your table today!

10
Best Architect Employer of the Year

Broadway Malyan

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Cousins & Cousins

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Donald Insall Associates

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GT3 Architects

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JTP

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MAP Architecture

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Morris+Company

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Mæ

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Root And Erect

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Stride Treglown

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9
Creative Conservation Architect of the Year

Burrell Foley Fischer

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Clews Architects

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David Kohn Architects

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dMFK

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Donald Insall Associates

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Group Ginger

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iKAD Architects

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Sheppard Robson

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Simpson & Brown

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4
Digital Design Innovation and Optimisation Award

ECD Architects

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HLM Architects

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KPF

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RCKa

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7
Education Architect of the Year (nursery - 6th), sponsored by Swisspearl

AHR

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AtkinsRéalis

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HLM Architects

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IID Architects

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Kennedy Woods

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Office S&M Architects

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Rivington Street Studio

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4
Higher Education Architect of the Year, sponsored by benx

David Kohn Architects

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HLM Architects

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NBBJ

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Sheppard Robson

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10
Housing Architect of the Year, sponsored by wienerberger

Bell Phillips

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GRID Architects

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Haworth Tompkins

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HTA Design

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Maccreanor Lavington

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Metropolitan Worshop

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Morris+Company

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Mæ

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Napier Clarke Architects

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RCKa

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10
Individual House Architect of the Year

David Kohn Architects

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Fieldwork Architects

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McLean Quinlan

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Napier Clarke Architects

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Paper Igloo

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Paul Archer Design

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Rural Office

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Selencky Parsons Architects

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Ström Architects

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William Tozer Associates

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4
Industry/Manufacturing Partner of the Year

ACS Stainless Steel Fixings

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Internorm Windows UK

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Quickslide Windows & Doors

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RCKa / Rollalong

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10
Interior Architect of the Year

Cousins & Cousins

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dMFK

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Fieldwork Architects

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Gibson Thornley Architects

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GRID Interiors

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John Robertson Architects

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Office S&M Architects

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SODA Studio

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Stuart Forbes Associates

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Tigg Coll

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8
Office Architect of the Year, sponsored by Permasteelisa

dMFK

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Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

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Gort Scott

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Henley Halebrown Architects

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Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands

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Sheppard Robson

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Squire & Partners

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Stiff + Trevillion

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5
One Off Major Project of the Year over £100m – open to one off individual projects, sponsored by RIBAIA

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, 1 Broadgate

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Hugh Broughton Architects, Discovery Building

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NBBJ, Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford

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Oberlanders Architects, Craighouse

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Stuart Forbes Associates, Fulham Pier

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10
One Off Small Project of the Year under £5 million – open to one off individual projects

Goldstein Heather, West London House

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Greenaway Architecture, Contemporary Extension to 1980's House, Northamptonshire

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Gresford Architects, The Old Orchard

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O'DonnellBrown, Millport Town Hall

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Paper House Project, Greenview House

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Rural Office, Parc & Dare Theatre

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Stephen Marshall (Urbanism), Maggie's Northampton

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Studio Grieveson, St. George Villa

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Thomas-McBrien Architects, New Wave House

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TiggColl, Float House

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8
Public Building Architect of the Year

Burrell Foley Fischer

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FaulknerBrowns

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Haworth Tompkins

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Hugh Broughton Architects

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INI Design Studio

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John Puttick Associates

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Morris+Company

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RCKa

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4
Public Realm and Placemaking Architect of the Year

East Architecture Landscape Urban Design

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HTA Design

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Publica

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Root And Erect

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12
Radical Retrofit and Reinvention Architect of the Year

ArkleBoyce Architects

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Dow Jones Architects

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FaulknerBrowns

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Gensler

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Gibson Thornley Architects

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Klas Hyllén Architecture

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KPF

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Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands

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Piercy&Company

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shedkm

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Squire & Partners

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van Heyningen and Haward Architects

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4
Regenerative Design Architect of the Year

AHR

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HLM Architects

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HTA Design

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Maccreanor Lavington

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6
Retail and Leisure Architect of the Year

FaulknerBrowns

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GT3 Architects

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Holland Harvey

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Populous

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Stuart Forbes Associates

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Studio Moren

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7
Young Architect of the Year, sponsored by Steel for Life, The Future of Steel Construction

andre kong studio

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Common Wonder

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Kennedy Woods

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Studio Colab

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Studio Grieveson

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Studio MUTT

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Unknown Works

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UK Design Capital of the Year 2026 shortlist


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.



Plymouth:

For its emerging momentum and regeneration ambition.



York:

For balancing historic stewardship with forward-looking growth.



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.