Architecture

Britain's best new buildings celebrated with RIBA National Awards

Britain's best new buildings celebrated with RIBA National Awards
The Battersea Arts Centre's regeneration was designed by Haworth Tompkins.The project is the culmination of a 12-year restoration project
The Battersea Arts Centre's regeneration was designed by Haworth Tompkins.The project is the culmination of a 12-year restoration project 
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London's 4 Pancras Square, by Eric Parry Architects, is a contemporary flagship office building
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London's 4 Pancras Square, by Eric Parry Architects, is a contemporary flagship office building
London's 168 Upper Street, by Groupwork, includes a store on ground level and apartments above
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London's 168 Upper Street, by Groupwork, includes a store on ground level and apartments above
A Restorative Rural Retreat, by Foster Lomas, is a beautiful home that takes its place well in the rugged landscape in the Isle of Man
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A Restorative Rural Retreat, by Foster Lomas, is a beautiful home that takes its place well in the rugged landscape in the Isle of Man
London's Alexandra Palace regeneration was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. It involved the restoration of the east wing of the historic London building
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London's Alexandra Palace regeneration was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. It involved the restoration of the east wing of the historic London building
The Battersea Arts Centre's regeneration was designed by Haworth Tompkins.The project is the culmination of a 12-year restoration project
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The Battersea Arts Centre's regeneration was designed by Haworth Tompkins.The project is the culmination of a 12-year restoration project 
Brentford Lock West Phase 2 was designed by White Ink Architects and is phase two of a three-phase residential regeneration masterplan beside the Grand Union Canal in Brentford
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Brentford Lock West Phase 2 was designed by White Ink Architects and is phase two of a three-phase residential regeneration masterplan beside the Grand Union Canal in Brentford 
London's Coal Drops Yard was designed by Heatherwick Studio and involved adapting two dilapidated Victorian-era coal storage buildings into a stunning shopping center
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London's Coal Drops Yard was designed by Heatherwick Studio and involved adapting two dilapidated Victorian-era coal storage buildings into a stunning shopping center
Collective on Calton Hill, by Collective Architecture, involved turning a ruined building into a new observatory in Edinburgh
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Collective on Calton Hill, by Collective Architecture, involved turning a ruined building into a new observatory in Edinburgh
Cork House, by Matthew Barnett Howland with Dido Milne and Oliver Wilton, is a stunning sustainable home in southern England
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Cork House, by Matthew Barnett Howland with Dido Milne and Oliver Wilton, is a stunning sustainable home in southern England
CTC Transport Hub, by Hall McKnight, is a small transport hub on the edge of the city of Belfast with an eye-catching design
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CTC Transport Hub, by Hall McKnight, is a small transport hub on the edge of the city of Belfast with an eye-catching design 
Eddington Lot 1, in Cambridge, by WilkinsonEyre with Mole Architects, is an attractive housing project
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Eddington Lot 1, in Cambridge, by WilkinsonEyre with Mole Architects, is an attractive housing project
Eddington Lot 1, in Cambridge, by WilkinsonEyre with Mole Architects, is part of a larger masterplan
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Eddington Lot 1, in Cambridge, by WilkinsonEyre with Mole Architects, is part of a larger masterplan
London's Eleanor Palmer Science Lab was designed by AY Architects and is a learning environment that aims "to foster enquiring minds, curiosity and wonder in the world"
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London's Eleanor Palmer Science Lab was designed by AY Architects and is a learning environment that aims "to foster enquiring minds, curiosity and wonder in the world"
Norwich's Goldsmith Street, by Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley, is a residential project that took over 12 years to realize
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Norwich's Goldsmith Street, by Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley, is a residential project that took over 12 years to realize 
London's Great Arthur House is a residential project designed by John Robertson Architect. It involved the restoration of an aged housing development
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London's Great Arthur House is a residential project designed by John Robertson Architect. It involved the restoration of an aged housing development
Hackney Wick Station, by Landolt + Brown, serves as a new train station for Hackney
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Hackney Wick Station, by Landolt + Brown, serves as a new train station for Hackney
Hampshire House, by Niall McLaughlin Architects, is a luxury home that maximizes views of the stunning scenery that surrounds it
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Hampshire House, by Niall McLaughlin Architects, is a luxury home that maximizes views of the stunning scenery that surrounds it 
Hill House Passivhaus, by Meloy Architects, is a very sustainable home in South East England
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Hill House Passivhaus, by Meloy Architects, is a very sustainable home in South East England
House Lessans, by McGonigle McGrath, is a beautiful new house in Northern Ireland. It's located next to an existing barn
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House Lessans, by McGonigle McGrath, is a beautiful new house in Northern Ireland. It's located next to an existing barn
Kettle's Yard, by Jamie Fobert Architects, is an art gallery in the University of Cambridge
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Kettle's Yard, by Jamie Fobert Architects, is an art gallery in the University of Cambridge
Kingswood Preparatory School and Nursery in Bath, was designed by Stonewood Design. According to RIBA, great care has been taken to scale the building and elements to relate to the age groups of the children
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Kingswood Preparatory School and Nursery in Bath, was designed by Stonewood Design. According to RIBA, great care has been taken to scale the building and elements to relate to the age groups of the children
LAMDA was designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects and offers a quiet and vibration-free environment for dance, theater and TV recording in London
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LAMDA was designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects and offers a quiet and vibration-free environment for dance, theater and TV recording in London 
London Bridge Station, by Grimshaw, significantly improves the area's transport links
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London Bridge Station, by Grimshaw, significantly improves the area's transport links
Mackintosh at the Willow, by Simpson & Brown, is a sensitive restoration to a restaurant in Glasgow
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Mackintosh at the Willow, by Simpson & Brown, is a sensitive restoration to a restaurant in Glasgow 
London's Mapleton Crescent was designed by Metropolitan Workshop and is a residential project that includes affordable micro-apartments
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London's Mapleton Crescent was designed by Metropolitan Workshop and is a residential project that includes affordable micro-apartments
Marmalade Lane, by Mole Architects, is a housing development in Cambridge that gives the impression it has been there longer than it actually has
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Marmalade Lane, by Mole Architects, is a housing development in Cambridge that gives the impression it has been there longer than it actually has
London's Merano was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and EPR Architects. It's a mixed-use development that fits into an awkward plot
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London's Merano was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and EPR Architects. It's a mixed-use development that fits into an awkward plot
Music School, King's College School Wimbledon was designed by Hopkins Architects. It is part of the school's ongoing attempt to improve its facilities
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Music School, King's College School Wimbledon  was designed by Hopkins Architects. It is part of the school's ongoing attempt to improve its facilities
The atmospheric Nevill Holt Opera, by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, is located in Leicestershire
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The atmospheric Nevill Holt Opera, by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, is located in Leicestershire 
Nithurst Farm, by Adam Richards Architects, is an extraordinary single family house in Sussex
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Nithurst Farm, by Adam Richards Architects, is an extraordinary single family house in Sussex 
North West Cambridge Utility Buildings, by Robin Lee Architecture, is a utility building in the University of Cambridge
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North West Cambridge Utility Buildings, by Robin Lee Architecture, is a utility building in the University of Cambridge
Ordsall Chord, by BDP, is part of a large new rail development in Manchester
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Ordsall Chord, by BDP, is part of a large new rail development in Manchester
Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre, by Haworth Tompkins, is part of the Perse School in Cambridge
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Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre, by Haworth Tompkins, is part of the Perse School in Cambridge
Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, in London, was designed by Jestico + Whiles and Julian Harrap Architects. It was originally built in the early 1800s and took three years to restore
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Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, in London, was designed by Jestico + Whiles and Julian Harrap Architects. It was originally built in the early 1800s and took three years to restore
Preston Bus Station refurbishment, by John Puttick Associates and Cassidy+Ashton, refurbishes the northern English city's main bus station
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Preston Bus Station refurbishment, by John Puttick Associates and Cassidy+Ashton, refurbishes the northern English city's main bus station 
Preston Bus Station refurbishment, by John Puttick Associates and Cassidy+Ashton, refurbishes the northern English city's main bus station
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Preston Bus Station refurbishment, by John Puttick Associates and Cassidy+Ashton, refurbishes the northern English city's main bus station
Royal Opera House Open Up was designed by Stanton Williams. The project involved opening up the London building to the world outside
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Royal Opera House Open Up was designed by Stanton Williams. The project involved opening up the London building to the world outside
Secular Retreat, by Atelier Peter Zumthor with Mole Architects, is a beautiful luxury house set on a remote Devon hilltop
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Secular Retreat, by Atelier Peter Zumthor with Mole Architects, is a beautiful luxury house set on a remote Devon hilltop
Science and Technology Centre and Global Study Centre, Sevenoaks School, was designed by Tim Ronalds Architects. It completes a major phase of a development at an Independent school in Sevenoaks
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Science and Technology Centre and Global Study Centre, Sevenoaks School, was designed by Tim Ronalds Architects. It completes a major phase of a development at an Independent school in Sevenoaks
Signal Townhouses was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. It consists of 16 three-story family homes in a former industrial area
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Signal Townhouses was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. It consists of 16 three-story family homes in a former industrial area
Simon Sainsbury Centre, Cambridge Judge Business School, by Stanton Williams, is located in the University of Cambridge
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Simon Sainsbury Centre, Cambridge Judge Business School, by Stanton Williams, is located in the University of Cambridge
South London Gallery Fire Station was designed by 6a architects. It turns a purpose-built 1867 fire station into a community space and art gallery
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South London Gallery Fire Station was designed by 6a architects. It turns a purpose-built 1867 fire station into a community space and art gallery 
Southbank Centre was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Archer Humphryes Architects. It 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 was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Archer Humphryes Architects. It involved the conservation and restoration of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre
The Teaching and Learning Building, by Make Architects, is a new building for the University of Nottingham that improves access
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The Teaching and Learning Building, by Make Architects, is a new building for the University of Nottingham that improves access 
Television Centre was designed by AHMM with MacCreanor Lavington, Morris+Co, dRMM, Mikhail Riches, Piercy+Co, Haptic, Archer Humphreys and Coffey Architects. It is an ambitious reinvention of the London landmark into a community
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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. It is an ambitious reinvention of the London landmark into a community
Television Centre was designed by AHMM with MacCreanor Lavington, Morris+Co, dRMM, Mikhail Riches, Piercy+Co, Haptic, Archer Humphreys and Coffey Architects. It is an ambitious reinvention of the London landmark into a community
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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. It is an ambitious reinvention of the London landmark into a community
The Beecroft Building University of Oxford, by Hawkins\Brown, is a beautifully-designed addition to the University of Oxford
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The Beecroft Building University of Oxford, by Hawkins\Brown, is a beautifully-designed addition to the University of Oxford
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' Macallan New Distillery and Visitor Experience is located on the same Speyside estate that has been producing Macallan whisky since 1824
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Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' Macallan New Distillery and Visitor Experience is located on the same Speyside estate that has been producing Macallan whisky since 1824
The Painted Hall was designed by Hugh Broughton Architects. The London project involved conserving Sir James Thornhills’ painted surfaces, considered among the most important Baroque interiors in Europe
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The Painted Hall was designed by Hugh Broughton Architects. The London project involved conserving Sir James Thornhills’ painted surfaces, considered among the most important Baroque interiors in Europe
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries was designed by MUMA. They are the first major build addition to Westminster Abbey in more than 250 years
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The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries was designed by MUMA. They  are the first major build addition to Westminster Abbey in more than 250 years
The Weston, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, by Feilden Fowles Architects, is an attractive visitor center for Yorkshire Sculpture Park
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The Weston, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, by Feilden Fowles Architects, is an attractive visitor center for Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Scotland's V&A Dundee is Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's first British project and it's outstanding
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Scotland's V&A Dundee is Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's first British project and it's outstanding
Westminster Abbey Triforium Project was designed by Ptolemy Dean Architects. It 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 was designed by Ptolemy Dean Architects. It 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
British history doesn't get much more important than King John of England's signing of Magna Carta in Surrey in 1215. Studio Octopi's Writ in Water is located on the spot the document was signed
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British history doesn't get much more important than King John of England's signing of Magna Carta in Surrey in 1215. Studio Octopi's Writ in Water is located on the spot the document was signed
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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has unveiled this year's winners of its prestigious National Awards. Consisting of the very best new architecture the UK has to offer, the awards showcase a wide range of projects, including a pavilion on the site that King John signed Magna Carta, a beautiful Scottish whisky distillery, enviable luxury homes, and more.

The 2019 RIBA National Awards has 54 winners, which is up from last year's 49. Most of the winning projects are located in southern England as usual, though there is a notable presence from elsewhere in the UK too this year, especially in Scotland. Housing features strongly, as do projects that involve renovating existing buildings.

The buildings will now be whittled down to a shortlist next month, before the best overall building is eventually chosen for the most important award in British architecture, the Stirling Prize, later this year.

"Despite the political and economic challenges of recent years, our 2019 RIBA National Award winners show that UK architecture is highly adaptable, immensely talented and as community-focused as ever," says RIBA President Ben Derbyshire. "I am particularly heartened that more than one third (20 of 54) of our winners have creatively adapted existing buildings. Given the scale of the global environmental challenge, we must encourage sustainable development and investment in buildings of the highest quality – projects that will inspire and meet the needs of generations to come.

"At a time when the country is crying out for innovative, high-quality affordable housing, I am pleased we have been able to recognize some exemplar schemes. I encourage all local authorities and developers to look to these projects for inspiration and rise to the challenge of building the homes people want and need. Our 2019 RIBA National Award-winning buildings are innovators and mold-breakers – congratulations to every client, architect and construction team for their combined talent and tenacity."

London's Coal Drops Yard was designed by Heatherwick Studio and involved adapting two dilapidated Victorian-era coal storage buildings into a stunning shopping center
London's Coal Drops Yard was designed by Heatherwick Studio and involved adapting two dilapidated Victorian-era coal storage buildings into a stunning shopping center

Heatherwick Studio's Coal Drops Yard is a strong contender for this year's Stirling Prize. A standout in the London Awards earlier in the year, the project involved adapting two dilapidated Victorian-era coal storage buildings into a stunning shopping center.

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' Macallan New Distillery and Visitor Experience is located on the same Speyside estate that has been producing Macallan whisky since 1824
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' Macallan New Distillery and Visitor Experience is located on the same Speyside estate that has been producing Macallan whisky since 1824

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' Macallan New Distillery and Visitor Experience is also superb. Located on the same estate that has been producing Macallan whisky since 1824, the building is defined by an impressive undulating green roof that's described by the firm as one of the most complex timber structures in the world.

British history doesn't get much more important than King John of England's signing of Magna Carta in Surrey in 1215. Studio Octopi's Writ in Water is located on the spot the document was signed
British history doesn't get much more important than King John of England's signing of Magna Carta in Surrey in 1215. Studio Octopi's Writ in Water is located on the spot the document was signed

Studio Octopi's Writ in Water honors King John of England's signing of Magna Carta in 1215 with a round building located on the spot the document was signed in Surrey. It provides an impeccably-designed place of reflection made up of rammed stone walls crowned by an oculus that allows a small pool to fill with rainwater.

A Restorative Rural Retreat, by Foster Lomas, is a beautiful home that takes its place well in the rugged landscape in the Isle of Man
A Restorative Rural Retreat, by Foster Lomas, is a beautiful home that takes its place well in the rugged landscape in the Isle of Man

As its name suggests, A Restorative Rural Retreat for Sartfell, by Foster Lomas, is a home located in a rural area in Sartfell, the Isle of Man. Though made from concrete, it's clad in local stone, so takes its place very well in the rugged landscape. It's also very energy-efficient, boasting superb insulation and heat pump-based heating.

Scotland's V&A Dundee is Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's first British project and it's outstanding
Scotland's V&A Dundee is Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's first British project and it's outstanding

Scotland's V&A Dundee is Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's first British project – and here's hoping it's not his last, because it's an outstanding work. The museum is set on the banks of Scotland's longest river and references the local cliffs with a warped and jagged facade.

Head to the gallery to see the rest of the winners of the 2019 RIBA National Awards, including high-end houses, art galleries, regeneration projects, theaters, and more.

Source: RIBA

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1 comment
1 comment
Nik
'London's 168 Upper Street,' by Groupwork, looks like a building that has been vandalised by idiots, regardless of the interior. It has to be the most unsympathetic wreck that I've ever seen! 'The Battersea Arts Centre,' looks like they ran out of funds before they could complete the restoration. 'Hill House Passivhaus,' looks too much like my grandfathers chicken hut, with a flue pipe added, to appeal to me. 'The Isle of Man' home I like, as it really does fit its location. 'House Lessans,' looks like a barn, not much innovation there! 'Mackintosh at the Willow,' shows what a good architect can design, pity there's not more around. 'London's Merano,' looks like they copied a shelf rack from Ikea! 'Nithurst Farm,' looks like someone was collecting railway arches, and finally found somewhere to store them. 'North West Cambridge Utility Buildings,' look like utility buildings...unsurprisingly. 'Secular Retreat,'... set on a remote Devon hilltop. Just as well! 'Studio Octopi's Writ in Water,' is... a large mud pie! Whoopee! The others, not really anything that different than many before. A few more architects with Mackintoshes imagination are sorely needed.