Architecture

London calling: The best new buildings in UK's capital

London calling: The best new buildings in UK's capital
Coal Drops Yard, by Heatherwick Studio, is one of the 47 winners of the RIBA London Award 2019
Coal Drops Yard, by Heatherwick Studio, is one of the 47 winners of the RIBA London Award 2019
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1A Earl's Court Square was designed by Sophie Hicks Architects
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1A Earl's Court Square was designed by Sophie Hicks Architects
1A Earl's Court Square is a very compact house that fits into a cramped plot
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1A Earl's Court Square is a very compact house that fits into a cramped plot
The Alexandra Palace regeneration was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
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The Alexandra Palace regeneration was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
The Alexandra Palace regeneration involved the restoration of the east wing of London's historic Alexandra Palace
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The Alexandra Palace regeneration involved the restoration of the east wing of London's historic Alexandra Palace
Alleyn's School Lower School was designed by Tim Ronalds Architects
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Alleyn's School Lower School was designed by Tim Ronalds Architects
Alleyn's School Lower School provides a safe and welcoming environment for children transitioning from primary to secondary school
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Alleyn's School Lower School provides a safe and welcoming environment for children transitioning from primary to secondary school
Alwyne Place was designed by Mitzman Architects
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Alwyne Place was designed by Mitzman Architects
Alwyne Place is an elegant contemporary home that fits into a challenging plot
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Alwyne Place is an elegant contemporary home that fits into a challenging plot
Battersea Arts Centre was designed by Haworth Tompkins
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Battersea Arts Centre was designed by Haworth Tompkins
Battersea Arts Centre is the culmination of a 12-year restoration project of a historic Victorian-era building
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Battersea Arts Centre is the culmination of a 12-year restoration project of a historic Victorian-era building
Bethnal Green Mission Church was designed by Gatti Routh Rhodes Architects
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Bethnal Green Mission Church was designed by Gatti Routh Rhodes Architects
Bethnal Green Mission Church offers a contemporary place for worship as well as two community halls, café, community kitchen, food bank stores, offices, 14 private apartments and a vicarage
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Bethnal Green Mission Church offers a contemporary place for worship as well as two community halls, café, community kitchen, food bank stores, offices, 14 private apartments and a vicarage
Blue Mountain School was designed by 6a architects
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Blue Mountain School was designed by 6a architects
Blue Mountain School includes a professional kitchen, dining and wine rooms, a listening room, an exhibition space, a perfumery, and a fashion archive
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Blue Mountain School includes a professional kitchen, dining and wine rooms, a listening room, an exhibition space, a perfumery, and a fashion archive
Boutique office in Paddington was designed by Edward Williams Architects
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Boutique office in Paddington was designed by Edward Williams Architects
Boutique office in Paddington is the new office for a business that invests in sustainable agriculture
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Boutique office in Paddington is the new office for a business that invests in sustainable agriculture
Brentford Lock West Phase 2 was designed by White Ink Architects
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Brentford Lock West Phase 2 was designed by White Ink Architects
Brentford Lock West Phase 2 is phase two of a three-phase residential regeneration masterplan beside the Grand Union Canal
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Brentford Lock West Phase 2 is phase two of a three-phase residential regeneration masterplan beside the Grand Union Canal
Buckingham Green was designed by Fletcher Priest Architects
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Buckingham Green was designed by Fletcher Priest Architects
Buckingham Green involved turning a dated 1970s office complex into a residential and office space
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Buckingham Green involved turning a dated 1970s office complex into a residential and office space
Coal Drops Yard was designed by Heatherwick Studio
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Coal Drops Yard was designed by Heatherwick Studio
Coal Drops Yard, by Heatherwick Studio, is one of the 47 winners of the RIBA London Award 2019
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Coal Drops Yard, by Heatherwick Studio, is one of the 47 winners of the RIBA London Award 2019
Crossfield Street House was designed by Jonathan Pile Architect
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Crossfield Street House was designed by Jonathan Pile Architect
Crossfield Street House is designed to fit in an awkwardly-shaped site
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Crossfield Street House is designed to fit in an awkwardly-shaped site
Eleanor Palmer Science Lab was designed by AY Architects
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Eleanor Palmer Science Lab was designed by AY Architects
Eleanor Palmer Science Lab is a learning environment that aims "to foster enquiring minds, curiosity and wonder in the world"
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Eleanor Palmer Science Lab is a learning environment that aims "to foster enquiring minds, curiosity and wonder in the world"
Great Arthur House was designed by John Robertson Architects
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Great Arthur House was designed by John Robertson Architects
Great Arthur House involved the restoration of an aged housing development
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Great Arthur House involved the restoration of an aged housing development
Hackney Wick Station was designed by Landot and Brown
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Hackney Wick Station was designed by Landot and Brown
Hackney Wick Station offers a new station and a new pedestrian connection for Hackney, London
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Hackney Wick Station offers a new station and a new pedestrian connection for Hackney, London
Here East was designed by Hawkins\Brown
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Here East was designed by Hawkins\Brown
Here East involved the transformation of the former Press and Broadcast Centres on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park site into an innovation campus for the creative tech community
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Here East involved the transformation of the former Press and Broadcast Centres on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park site into an innovation campus for the creative tech community
Highgate Bowl was designed by HASA Architects
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Highgate Bowl was designed by HASA Architects
Highgate Bowl is a community garden
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Highgate Bowl is a community garden
House in a Garden was designed by Gianni Botsford Architects
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House in a Garden was designed by Gianni Botsford Architects
House in a Garden is defined by an eye-catching roof that's lined in copper on the outside
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House in a Garden is defined by an eye-catching roof that's lined in copper on the outside
Kenwood Lee House was designed by Cousins & Cousins Architects
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Kenwood Lee House was designed by Cousins & Cousins Architects
Kenwood Lee House is described by RIBA as suitable for a Bond Hero or Bond Villain
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Kenwood Lee House is described by RIBA as suitable for a Bond Hero or Bond Villain
Lambeth Civic Centre and Town Hall was designed by Cartwright Pickard
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Lambeth Civic Centre and Town Hall was designed by Cartwright Pickard
Lambeth Civic Centre and Town Hall involved the refurbishment of Lambeth Town Hall and the construction of a new build Civic Centre
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Lambeth Civic Centre and Town Hall involved the refurbishment of Lambeth Town Hall and the construction of a new build Civic Centre
Lambeth Civic Centre and Town Hall was designed by Cartwright Pickard
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Lambeth Civic Centre and Town Hall was designed by Cartwright Pickard
Lambeth Civic Centre and Town Hall involved the refurbishment of Lambeth Town Hall and the construction of a new build Civic Centre
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Lambeth Civic Centre and Town Hall involved the refurbishment of Lambeth Town Hall and the construction of a new build Civic Centre
LAMDA was designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects
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LAMDA was designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects
LAMDA offers a quiet and vibration-free environment for dance, theater and TV recording
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LAMDA offers a quiet and vibration-free environment for dance, theater and TV recording
Lomax Studio was designed by CAN
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Lomax Studio was designed by CAN
Lomax Studio involved the creation of two art studios next to the home of the client
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Lomax Studio involved the creation of two art studios next to the home of the client
London Bridge Station was designed by Grimshaw
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London Bridge Station was designed by Grimshaw
London Bridge Station significantly improves the area's connectivity
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London Bridge Station significantly improves the area's connectivity
London Wall Place was designed by Make Architects
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London Wall Place was designed by Make Architects
London Wall Place's design is influenced by the area's Roman and Saxon remains
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London Wall Place's design is influenced by the area's Roman and Saxon remains
Mapleton Crescent was designed by Metropolitan Workshop
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Mapleton Crescent was designed by Metropolitan Workshop
Mapleton Crescent is a residential project that includes affordable micro-apartments
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Mapleton Crescent is a residential project that includes affordable micro-apartments
Max Fordham House was designed by bere:architects
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Max Fordham House was designed by bere:architects
Max Fordham House has been built to Passive House standards, the stringent green building code that focuses on insulation
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Max Fordham House has been built to Passive House standards, the stringent green building code that focuses on insulation
Merano was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and EPR Architects
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Merano was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and EPR Architects
Merano is a mixed-use development that fits into an awkward plot
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Merano is a mixed-use development that fits into an awkward plot
Moray Mews was designed by Peter Barber Architects
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Moray Mews was designed by Peter Barber Architects
Moray Mews is a housing project that overcame strict planning regulations
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Moray Mews is a housing project that overcame strict planning regulations 
Music School, King's College School Wimbledon was designed by Hopkins Architects
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Music School, King's College School Wimbledon  was designed by Hopkins Architects
Music School, King's College School Wimbledon is part of the school's ongoing attempt to improve its facilities
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Music School, King's College School Wimbledon is part of the school's ongoing attempt to improve its facilities
Ordnance Road was designed by Peter Barber Architects
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Ordnance Road was designed by Peter Barber Architects
Ordnance Road features a terraced development of three-story townhouses
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Ordnance Road features a terraced development of three-story townhouses
Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery was designed by Jestico + Whiles and Julian Harrap Architects
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Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery was designed by Jestico + Whiles and Julian Harrap Architects
Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery was originally built in the early 1800s and took three years to restore
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Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery was originally built in the early 1800s and took three years to restore 
Pocket House was designed by Tikari Works
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Pocket House was designed by Tikari Works
Pocket House transforms a little used site containing garages into a family home
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Pocket House transforms a little used site containing garages into a family home
Royal Opera House Open Up was designed by Stanton Williams
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Royal Opera House Open Up was designed by Stanton Williams
Royal Opera House Open Up expands what had previously been a constrained set of spaces, opening them up to the world outside
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Royal Opera House Open Up expands what had previously been a constrained set of spaces, opening them up to the world outside
Selfridges Duke Street was designed by David Chipperfield Architects
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Selfridges Duke Street was designed by David Chipperfield Architects
Selfridges Duke Street involved adding a new entrance building at the center of the Duke Street facade and the creation of a new accessories store
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Selfridges Duke Street involved adding a new entrance building at the center of the Duke Street facade and the creation of a new accessories store 
Signal Townhouses was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
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Signal Townhouses was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Signal Townhouses consists of 16 three-story family homes in a former industrial area
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Signal Townhouses consists of 16 three-story family homes in a former industrial area
Southbank Centre was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Archer Humphryes Architects
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Southbank Centre was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Archer Humphryes Architects
Southbank Centre involved the conservation and restoration of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre
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Southbank Centre involved the conservation and restoration of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre
Television Centre was designed by AHMM with MacCreanor Lavington, Morris+Co, dRMM, Mikhail Riches, Piercy+Co, Haptic, Archer Humphreys and Coffey Architects
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Television Centre was designed by AHMM with MacCreanor Lavington, Morris+Co, dRMM, Mikhail Riches, Piercy+Co, Haptic, Archer Humphreys and Coffey Architects
The Television Centre project at White City is an ambitious reinvention of the London landmark into a community
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The Television Centre project at White City is an ambitious reinvention of the London landmark into a community
The Bower was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
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The Bower was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
The Bower is a large new office development
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The Bower is a large new office development
The Colville Estate was designed by Karakusevic Carson Architects and David Chipperfield Architects
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The Colville Estate was designed by Karakusevic Carson Architects and David Chipperfield Architects
The Colville Estate consists of 925 new homes and provides an additional 100+ council homes over an 18 year phased programme
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The Colville Estate consists of 925 new homes and provides an additional 100+ council homes over an 18 year phased programme
The Ned, City of London was designed by EPR Architects, Soho House & Co and Sydell Group LLC
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The Ned, City of London was designed by  EPR Architects, Soho House & Co and Sydell Group LLC
The Ned, City of London transforms a former bank into a mixed use project including a 250 room hotel
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The Ned, City of London transforms a former bank into a mixed use project including a 250 room hotel 
The Painted Hall was designed by Hugh Broughton Architects
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The Painted Hall was designed by Hugh Broughton Architects 
The Painted Hall restored and conserved Sir James Thornhills’ painted surfaces, considered among the most important Baroque interiors in Europe
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The Painted Hall restored and conserved Sir James Thornhills’ painted surfaces, considered among the most important Baroque interiors in Europe
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries was designed by MUMA
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The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries was designed by MUMA 
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries are the first major build addition to Westminster Abbey in more than 250 years
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The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries are the first major build addition to Westminster Abbey in more than 250 years
Torriano Primary School STEM Lab was designed by Hayhurst and Co
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Torriano Primary School STEM Lab was designed by Hayhurst and Co
Torriano Primary School STEM Lab is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths ‘Activity Lab’ for a school in Kentish Town, north London
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Torriano Primary School STEM Lab is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths ‘Activity Lab’ for a school in Kentish Town, north London
Westminster Abbey Triforium Project was designed by Ptolemy Dean Architects
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Westminster Abbey Triforium Project was designed by Ptolemy Dean Architects
Westminster Abbey Triforium Project is a new glass, metal and stone structure that provides public access into the high level Eastern Triforium - a timber deck seven stories above Westminster Abbey's nave - for the first time
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Westminster Abbey Triforium Project is a new glass, metal and stone structure that provides public access into the high level Eastern Triforium - a timber deck seven stories above Westminster Abbey's nave - for the first time
4 Pancras Square was designed by Eric Parry Architects
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4 Pancras Square was designed by Eric Parry Architects
4 Pancras Square is a contemporary flagship office building
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4 Pancras Square is a contemporary flagship office building 
168 Upper Street was designed by Groupwork
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168 Upper Street was designed by Groupwork
168 Upper Street includes a store on ground level and apartments above
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168 Upper Street includes a store on ground level and apartments above 
South London Gallery Fire Station was designed by 6a architects
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South London Gallery Fire Station was designed by 6a architects
South London Gallery Fire Station turns a purpose-built 1867 fire station into a community space and art gallery
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South London Gallery Fire Station turns a purpose-built 1867 fire station into a community space and art gallery 
House in a Garden replaces a dilapidated 1960s bungalow with a contemporary home defined by a remarkable funnel-shaped copper-lined roof
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House in a Garden replaces a dilapidated 1960s bungalow with a contemporary home defined by a remarkable funnel-shaped copper-lined roof
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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has revealed the winners of the RIBA London Award 2019, which consists of 47 examples of the UK capital's finest new architecture, including compact houses, light-filled schools and sympathetic restoration projects.

The 47 winners, which is down from last year's 61, are now in the running for RIBA's National Awards, which will be announced on June 27.

Heatherwick Studio's Coal Drops Yard (pictured below) is a clear standout. The high-profile firm turned two dilapidated Victorian-era coal storage buildings into a large new shopping center crowned by a stunning roof structure. The curved roof is made from a steel framework and features 80,000 slate tiles from the same quarry that was used when constructing the original buildings over 150 years ago.

Coal Drops Yard was designed by Heatherwick Studio
Coal Drops Yard was designed by Heatherwick Studio

House in a Garden (below) is also noteworthy thanks to its interesting use of a cramped and awkward plot that's overshadowed by larger properties on three sides. It replaces a dilapidated 1960s bungalow with a contemporary home defined by a remarkable funnel-shaped copper-lined roof. The roof is topped by glazing and ensures ample natural light inside.

House in a Garden replaces a dilapidated 1960s bungalow with a contemporary home defined by a remarkable funnel-shaped copper-lined roof
House in a Garden replaces a dilapidated 1960s bungalow with a contemporary home defined by a remarkable funnel-shaped copper-lined roof

"Each year RIBA London Awards celebrate a diverse and eclectic range of project types and scales and celebrate the very best new buildings across the Capital," says RIBA London Director, Dian Small. "2019 winning projects range from a one-bedroom private house which spans the length of two private garages to one of the busiest train stations in the country. They also include several significant public sector housing projects, beautifully-designed school extensions, state of the art office buildings and exquisite conservation projects, which breathe new life into some of London's greatest treasures."

Head to the gallery to check out all of the 47 buildings that make up the RIBA London Award 2019.

Source: RIBA

View gallery - 97 images
3 comments
3 comments
McDesign
168 Upper Street (towards the end) just angers me.
ljaques
I don't understand the dirt ethic of Eurocentric things. You put a multimillion pound architectural renovation to a building but you don't even wash the old brick? The fire station was one example, Then there are Battersea, Bethnal church, Max Foredom, Moray Mews, and anything else which abuts dirty old to sparkling new. Do they carefully mask off the old building to keep it from being cleaned? Ayieeeee!
Then there are the unfinished looks. Unpretty open beams (as opposed to timberframing such as the beautiful old Westminster Abbey) just screaming for a ceiling to be covering them. How about the Buckingham Green building with one foot long pieces of REBAR on the outside? The Eleanor Palmer science lab beams are going to be covered in ick before you know it. Here East, Boutique, Lambda, Pocket House. Ye Gods, people! Scrub your walls and paint your woodwork, please. Were I the remodeler, I'd ask to do it for the neighbors so my work would look better. That's just tacky.
Kenwood Lee house is the lone standout in the whole shebang, in new work.
McDesign, yeah, 168 grrr.
Buzzclick

I agree with both ljaques and McDesign above.
Generally, Brits can have a quirkiness in their taste of masonry and brickwork. Oftentimes it works (for them) and I get it. The overall feeling I have of these latest designs is they're unimpressive and sterile. Do people really live and work in these picture-perfect places? Architects are competing with each other to come up with something that will create a standout for their careers, but how many people will see the House in a Garden (one of the few i like) if it's in a tight spot at the rear, surrounded/abutted by taller buildings? That's the high cost of real estate in London today. Every nook and cranny gets used. London has become a strange blend of architectural styles, but like in all art, that's just my personal opinion.