RIBA London Awards Shortlist Announced
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has revealed its 2026 London awards shortlist. The nominated projects are diverse, ranging from climate-conscious council housing and family homes to high-end luxury apartments, reflecting a broad definition of architectural excellence.
- This year's shortlist features 72 projects, including major cultural institutions like the Natural History Museum's new geological garden and Sadler's Wells East. - Several architectural firms have multiple projects in contention, with Morris + Company leading with five nominations, followed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) and Howells, each with three. - A key theme is the development of climate-conscious council housing, such as the 122 net-zero, affordable homes in the first phase of the Kidbrooke Park Road North development in Greenwich. - Another shortlisted council project, Noele Gordon House in Newham, provides 75 homes designed for later living and has already won two other awards for its design. - The judging process involves a regional jury visiting all 72 shortlisted projects before the winners are announced in the spring. - Winning projects at the London level will be considered for RIBA Special Awards, such as the RIBA London Sustainability Award, and then advance for consideration in the RIBA National Awards this summer. - The winners of the National Awards become the pool from which the shortlist for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize is chosen, with the final winner announced in October. - According to RIBA London Director John Nahar, the shortlist represents a wide range of practices, from sole practitioners and SMEs to some of the industry's most established names.
