On September 3, 2025, the architectural world was abuzz as the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the shortlist for the 2025 Stirling Prize, the UK’s most prestigious accolade for architecture. The list, unveiled just ahead of the official announcement, spotlights six transformative projects that exemplify creativity, innovation, and social impact—each vying for the coveted title of the year’s most significant building. This year’s nominees span from the painstaking restoration of the iconic Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben, to inventive new models for housing and cutting-edge research facilities.
According to BBC and several architecture industry sources, the Elizabeth Tower restoration stands out as a masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship. Completed by Purcell, the five-year, £80 million overhaul is the most comprehensive in the tower’s 160-year history. The project addressed damage from World War II, corrected past restoration mistakes, and revived the Victorian blue and gold color scheme on the clock faces. It also reinstated the St George’s Cross flag emblems and introduced a new visitor lift, making the landmark more accessible than ever. The judges praised the work as “a veritable masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship,” noting that every element of the building fabric and the clock’s workings had been “painstakingly examined, researched and assessed” before being preserved with “incredible skill.”
But the Elizabeth Tower is just one of six contenders. The shortlist also features the London College of Fashion’s new 17-storey, 40,000m² vertical campus in Stratford, designed by Allies and Morrison. Costing £216 million, this monumental civic building brings together six former sites into a single, dynamic hub for learning and fashion production on the former Olympic Park’s East Bank waterfront. The RIBA jury described it as a “dynamic contributor to the ongoing economic and social transformation of Stratford,” with dramatic staircases and collaborative spaces that foster creativity and community.
Also in the running is AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre (DISC) in Cambridge, a 62,800m² medical research facility designed by Herzog & de Meuron with BDP. The project, delayed by the pharmaceutical company’s focus on the Covid-19 pandemic, was lauded for blending “thoughtful placemaking with scientific innovation.” The building’s striking, serrated glass façade and interconnected laboratories were highlighted as examples of how science and public engagement can coexist. RIBA described the centre as “radically redefining the research facility,” with “clever interconnecting corridors that balance stringent security with transparency, putting science on display.”
South London’s Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects is another standout. This social housing development, replacing an abandoned care home, provides 57 flats for over-65s and is billed as a modern reimagining of the traditional almshouse. The design prioritizes community and combats isolation, featuring communal areas, a shared kitchen, and a double-height garden room. RIBA emphasized that the project “sets a new standard for inclusive social housing in later life,” offering a blueprint for how architecture can enrich society as the population ages.
The shortlist continues with Niwa House in South London, designed by Takero Shimazaki Architects. This “pavilion-like oasis” was built on a previously derelict plot and caters to a family with a passion for Japanese design. The home is also accessible for a wheelchair-using resident, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces. The judges praised the “quality of light throughout the home,” noting that “large full-height sliding doors and full-height glazed walls seamlessly blend indoors and out—opening spaces to gardens, courtyards and balconies.”
Hastings House in East Sussex, by Hugh Strange Architects, rounds out the list. The late 19th-century detached hillside home has been extended with timber-framed rooms and industrial features, such as a concrete yard and galvanized steel staircase. The RIBA jury described the transformation as “a lesson in restrained, inventive reuse,” stating that the project “goes beyond a house extension, transforming the entire home.”
Notably, AI predictions made on September 3, 2025, anticipated several of these projects making the shortlist, including the London College of Fashion, the Discovery Centre, and the Elizabeth Tower restoration. However, AI’s speculative list leaned heavily toward projects in London and the South, omitting some of the more regionally diverse finalists like Hastings House. This divergence underscores the unpredictable and nuanced nature of architectural recognition, where factors such as heritage value, environmental design, and social impact can tip the scales.
The Stirling Prize, first presented in 1996, is awarded to the building judged to be “the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment.” Past winners include Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, Hastings Pier, the Scottish Parliament building, and, most recently, the Elizabeth line in 2024. The award’s criteria encompass design vision, innovation, and originality, and it is not limited to new builds—major restorations and renovations are also eligible for the honor.
Chris Williamson, president of RIBA, captured the spirit of this year’s shortlist in a statement widely quoted across UK media: “These projects demonstrate architecture’s unique ability to address some of the most urgent challenges of our time, responding with creativity, adaptability and care. From a monumental civic building that champions investment in arts and culture, to the sensitive restoration of one the nation’s most iconic landmarks, and a cutting-edge medical research facility, each offers a blueprint for how architecture can enrich society.” He added, “Together these projects offer a hopeful vision for the future, one where architecture strengthens communities and helps shape a more sustainable and inclusive built environment.”
The winner of the 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced at London’s Roundhouse on October 16. As anticipation builds, the shortlisted projects serve as reminders of architecture’s power to shape not just skylines, but lives—whether through restoring national icons, fostering community, or pushing the boundaries of design and science. The coming weeks will see architects, critics, and the public alike weighing the merits of each contender, but one thing is certain: all six have already left an indelible mark on the built environment of the UK.
With the stakes high and the spotlight shining on both tradition and innovation, the Stirling Prize once again proves itself as a barometer of architectural excellence and societal progress.
