The eighth annual AJ Architecture Awards has revealed its first wave of shortlisted projects, featuring 120 outstanding built projects across 19 categories that showcase the finest architectural achievements in the United Kingdom. The shortlists are being announced throughout this week, highlighting the nation's most exceptional architectural accomplishments completed between January 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025.
In the Community and Faith category, four distinguished projects have earned recognition, including RCKa Architects' recently completed Highgate Newtown Community Redevelopment in Camden. This comprehensive development features a public courtyard and community hub alongside 41 new residential units, demonstrating innovative approaches to community-centered design. Other shortlisted projects in this category include St Mary's Extension by BARCX, St Luke's Chapel by hmad architects, and Y Muni by Purcell.
The Cultural Project category has drawn significant attention with its seven-project shortlist, featuring several high-profile retrofit projects that have made headlines in recent months. Among the most notable is Selldorf Architects' long-anticipated and controversial retrofit of The National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing, which has sparked considerable debate within the architectural community. The list also includes Cooke Fawcett's subtle intervention at Cockpit Studios in Deptford, AOC Architecture's addition to the Yorkshire National Railway Museum, and John Matthews Architects' innovative transformation of Manchester railway arches into the HOME Arches project. Notably, the latter three projects have also earned shortlist positions for the AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards, highlighting their exceptional approach to adaptive reuse.
Additional cultural projects on the shortlist include the Greenhill Building at Harrow Arts Centre by Chris Dyson Architects, Soho Theatre Walthamstow by Pilbrow & Partners and Bond Bryan, and The National Gallery's Roden Centre for Creative Learning by Lawson Ward Studio. These projects collectively demonstrate the breadth and innovation currently characterizing UK cultural architecture.
The Health and Wellbeing category showcases five projects that exemplify excellence in healthcare and wellness facility design. Leading this category is Adam Richards Architects' St Raphael's Health and Wellbeing Centre for Mayfield School, which was recently featured as an AJ Specification case study. Other shortlisted projects include Loveday Belgravia by EPR Architects, The Portico by ADP Architecture, and Worthing Integrated Care Centre by ArchitecturePLB, each demonstrating innovative approaches to creating healing and wellness environments.
In the Leisure category, eight projects have been recognized for their contributions to entertainment and recreational architecture. Manchester features prominently with two major new entertainment venues: the massive Co-op Live arena by Populous and the transformed Printworks by CDA. The category also includes the AELTC Community Tennis Centre by Langstaff Day Architects, artotel Hoxton by Squire & Partners, Malvern Pool House by Klas Hyllén Architecture, Montcalm Mayfair by Holland Harvey, and the striking Silecroft Beach Café by Konishi Gaffney Architects.
The judging panel comprises distinguished industry professionals who are currently traveling across the country to visit every shortlisted project in person. The expert panel includes returning judges Eleanor Fawcett from the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, Alpa Delpani, who serves as head of strategic planning and design at London Borough of Waltham Forest, Robin Nicholson, a fellow of Cullinan Studio, and strategist Daisy Froud. Their comprehensive evaluation process goes beyond aesthetic considerations to examine how each project has met or exceeded its original brief, promoted meaningful client and community engagement, and demonstrated excellence in spatial design and place-making.
Sustainability measures will be subject to particularly rigorous analysis by the judging panel, reflecting the architectural profession's growing commitment to environmental responsibility. The judges will evaluate each project's approach to energy efficiency, material selection, and long-term environmental impact as key criteria in their decision-making process.
The winners across all 19 categories, plus three editorial-chosen awards, will be announced during a celebratory dinner event scheduled for November 27, 2025. This year's ceremony will take place at Royal Lancaster London, marking another new venue for the prestigious awards program. The event will bring together the UK's leading architects, developers, and industry professionals to celebrate the year's most outstanding architectural achievements and recognize the projects that are shaping the future of British architecture.
