RIBA Awards Categories
We offer a range of awards for architects, buildings, and clients in the UK and internationally.
RIBA UK Awards
RIBA Award
A RIBA Award is given to a UK project for its regional importance as a piece of architecture.
Winners of a RIBA Award are also eligible for the special awards listed below, given they meet any additional specified criteria. RIBA UK Awards have a single point of entry, meaning projects entered may be considered for all awards for which they are eligible.
Conservation Award
Conservation architects are encouraged to enter buildings or significant structures for RIBA Awards. All entries will be considered by a panel including an conservation specialist. Judges understand that every act of conservation - from restoration to the sensitive addition to an old building - involves design decisions, so every good conservation scheme is eligible for a RIBA Award.
The best award winning conservation schemes will be considered for a RIBA Conservation Award. The project should respect and enhance the original building, but also have regard to the wider context.
Buildings will demonstrate at least one of the following:
- creative repair and conservation
- adaptive re-use of historic buildings
- refurbishment
- regeneration
Projects may also demonstrate an understanding of, and give reference to, the vernacular traditions and materials of their locality.
Project Architect of the Year
Awarded to a RIBA Chartered Member who led the award-winning project and made key and demonstrable contributions to its success.
Client of the Year
Rewards the client’s demonstrable commitment to procuring and achieving quality architecture.
Small Project of the Year
Given to projects with budgets less than £500,000. The winning project should demonstrate creativity and architectural merit within the limits of its budget.
Sustainability Award
Rewards projects that go beyond statutory requirements and demonstrate, elegantly and durably, the principles of sustainable architecture.
Building of the Year
Given to the project that best demonstrates architectural excellence while contributing positively to its economic, social, environmental, and cultural context and has made a significant contribution to the practice of architecture.
National Awards
A RIBA National Award is given to a building for its national significance and its contribution to architecture in the UK.
Awarded to the buildings that set national standards for good architecture, successful projects should demonstrate design excellence, be fit for purpose, and be sustainable.
Only projects that have already won a RIBA Award will be eligible for a RIBA National Award. RIBA National Award winners will be considered for the RIBA Stirling Prize.
House of the Year
Awarded to the best example of a one-off house designed by an architect in the UK, the award celebrates excellence and innovation in home design. Please note there are filming requirements for any projects that make the House of the Year shortlist.
Reinvention Award
This award is given for the creative transformation, adaptation and re-use of an existing building or structure. The winning project will be an exemplar of architectural quality, as well as demonstrating environmental, social or economic sustainability in line with the criteria in the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide.
Stephen Lawrence Prize, supported by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation
The Stephen Lawrence Prize awards the best project led by an early career Project Architect, celebrating new architectural talent.
Further to this, a student, selected by the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, forms part of the jury and will go on to be mentored by the winning project architect, forming part of our combined commitment to support the next generation of architects.
For this award, we define an early career architect as someone who has qualified as an architect typically within five years prior to the project completion date, although we will consider mitigations that may impact this timeframe.
Neave Brown Award for Housing
The Neave Brown Award for Housing recognises the best new example of affordable housing in the UK. For this award, affordable housing includes: social rented housing, affordable rented housing, and intermediate housing (both to rent and buy).
Projects with multiple homes, where at least one third is affordable, will be eligible for consideration.
Client of the Year
This award honours the key role that a good client plays in the creation of fine architecture. The national RIBA Client of the Year champions innovation in architecture and gives inspiration to the design team. They demonstrate an active involvement within the design process, displaying creativity, vision, and courage.
Stirling Prize
Considered the most prestigious award for architecture in the UK, the RIBA Stirling Prize is awarded annually to a building considered to have made the most significant contribution to the evolution of UK architecture.
RIBA International Awards
Our global architecture awards champion buildings that change the world. Awarded to any building worldwide (outside the UK) these awards set a new global standard for architecture and are open to any qualified architect.
New for 2025: Asia Pacific Award and Middle East Award
We’re launching two new awards and, for the first time, these regions will be invited to submit projects for a new stage in our International Awards programme as part of a pilot. To find out more about this new expansion, read our latest news article: RIBA launches Asia Pacific Award and Middle East Award.
Unbuilt through to built projects in these regions are eligible to enter up to 10 award categories. These 10 new categories for Asia Pacific and Middle East are:
- Adaptive Reuse Award
Showcasing projects that exemplify adaptive reuse through the creative transformation of existing buildings, contributing significantly to environmental, social, or economic sustainability. The project should highlight the value of conservation, retrofitting, and the revitalisation of historic architecture. - AI Powered Design Award
Highlighting projects that have applied AI technologies in any phase of the design to fabrication process. The project should focus on the degree of innovative application, technology integration, and actual benefits. - Design for Living Award
Recognising projects that enhance the quality of life, comfort, and wellbeing of their residents. The project should demonstrate innovation, adaptability, and a strong response to modern and different living needs. - Future Projects Award
Rewarding visionary and forward thinking unbuilt or conceptual projects that offer innovative design solutions and anticipate future trends in the built environment, as well as resolve big societal issues. The project should showcase innovation, feasibility, and their potential to influence the future. - Mixed Use Award
Championing projects that successfully integrate multiple uses into a single building or development, contributing to the vibrancy and sustainability of urban environments. The project should demonstrate the creativity and functional design that blend different uses and reflect innovative responses to the challenges of urban growth and density. - RIBA Member Award
Celebrating projects submitted by a RIBA Member for outstanding architectural excellence, overall impact and significant contribution to architecture in the region. - Social Architecture Award
Commending projects that deliver meaningful and lasting social benefits through human-centred design. The project should emphasise the broader contribution to its neighbouring community and wider society. - Sustainability and Resilience Award
Celebrating projects that demonstrate outstanding achievement in sustainable design and resilience to environmental challenges. The project should emphasise building solutions that prioritise carbon reduction across the full life cycle from design and construction to operation and end-of-life. - Temporary Architecture Award
Showcasing non-permanent architecture that successfully transforms a space, engages the public, or responds to a particular event, place, or cultural moment. The project should highlight spatial interventions designed with temporality in mind - whether through a limited lifespan, removability, or relocation. - Urban Regeneration Award
Recognising projects that demonstrate excellence in the transformation of urban space. The project should demonstrate its ambition in shaping the future of the built environment, and its capacity to contribute meaningfully to the wider context, whilst respecting its urban heritage.
Only projects eligible for visits in the categories will be considered for the International Awards for Excellence. Non-visited categories such as AI Powered Design, Future Projects, and Temporary Architecture will be judged separately.
International Awards for Excellence
The pre-eminent awards for architecture outside the UK, recognising and promoting design innovation, sustainable technologies, and meaningful social impact.
Given to buildings worldwide that stretch the boundaries of architecture and standards of excellence, as judged by a range of high-profile international juries. Winners of these awards are considered for the International Prize.
International Emerging Architect Prize
This prize recognises international emerging talent of those who have been practising for ten years or less and are making a significant contribution to the field of architecture.
Our Emerging Architect Jury - all innovators themselves in the fields of architecture and design - are looking for the future pioneers and luminaries of the profession.
International Prize
The pinnacle of RIBA International Awards, the prize is awarded to the project which demonstrates visionary, innovative thinking, and design excellence whilst making a distinct contribution for its users and within its physical context: be it the public realm, the natural environment, or both.
Awarded by the Grand Jury to the building considered to be the most significant and inspirational globally of the year.
The prize reaffirms the visionary purpose of RIBA as stated in its 1837 charter: “for the general advancement of civil architecture.”
Only buildings that have won a RIBA Award for International Excellence will be eligible for RIBA's International Prize.
