Six Best: RIBA Reveals Sterling Prize Shortlist

A Vision of Innovation and Community in Architecture

The RIBA Stirling Prize, Britain’s most prestigious award for architecture, has unveiled its shortlist for 2025. This year’s selection highlights a range of groundbreaking projects that reflect the power of design to transform lives and communities. From reimagining social housing to creating spaces that foster collaboration and creativity, these buildings represent a bold vision for the future.

Embracing Diversity and Purpose

The shortlisted projects showcase a wide array of ambitions, from improving college life to revitalizing neglected homes into vibrant living spaces. According to RIBA President Chris Williamson, these designs demonstrate how architecture can address some of society's most pressing challenges with creativity, adaptability, and care. He emphasized that each project offers a blueprint for how architecture can enrich society, whether through monumental civic buildings or sensitive restorations of iconic landmarks.

One of the most notable aspects of this year’s shortlist is the focus on quality housing. With a growing need for affordable and sustainable living solutions, several residential projects stand out for their innovative, human-centered approach. These include social housing designed to combat isolation among older adults, a home extension that celebrates reuse, and an accessible dwelling that proves beauty and functionality can coexist.

The Six Shortlisted Projects

1. Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects
   This project replaces an abandoned care home with a new model for inclusive social housing. By placing communal spaces at the heart of the design, Appleby Blue fosters interaction among residents. Features like timber-clad interiors, discreet accessibility elements, and terracotta-paved hallways aim to create a more humane and welcoming environment for elderly residents.

2. Elizabeth Tower by Purcell
   The restoration of Elizabeth Tower, which houses the iconic “Big Ben” bell, marks the most comprehensive renovation of the structure in 160 years. Traditional materials and craftsmanship were used to preserve the tower’s historical integrity while making it more accessible to visitors. This project not only honors the past but also opens up the monument to a wider audience.

3. Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects
   Instead of demolishing an old hillside home, Hastings House reuses and enhances the existing structure. The design blends a restrained Victorian front with a modern timber-framed rear, creating a space that embraces contrast and innovation. The result is a home that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.

4. London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison
   Located in Stratford, this new building brings together 6,000 staff and students in a vertical campus. Its dramatic staircases and shared “heart space” encourage collaboration, while a restrained material palette allows the building to serve as a flexible canvas for creative expression. The design pays homage to the area’s industrial heritage, creating a dynamic environment for fashion education.

5. Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki Architects
   This Japanese-inspired home, meaning “Garden Home,” transforms a derelict plot into a serene living space. The horizontal layout and integrated accessibility features make it both functional and elegant. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a courtyard garden contribute to a sense of tranquility, proving that inclusive design can be both beautiful and practical.

6. The Discovery Centre (DISC) by Herzog and de Meuron / BDP
   Designed for AstraZeneca, this research facility combines cutting-edge laboratories with public spaces. Its low-rise, sawtooth-roofed design creates an inviting interface for Cambridge’s biomedical community. The publicly accessible courtyard and transparent lab corridors promote openness and innovation, setting a new standard for research environments.

A Hopeful Future for Architecture

These six projects offer a hopeful vision for the future, one where architecture strengthens communities and contributes to a more sustainable and inclusive built environment. As the winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize 2025 is announced on 16 October 2025, these designs remind us of the transformative power of thoughtful, purposeful architecture.