A timber-clad, carbon-neutral nursery (University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery), the transformation of a 1930’s fire station into apartments (Old Fire Station) and a future facing university building (Coventry University, College of the Arts and Society) are among the five winners of the RIBA West Midlands 2025 Awards.
Presented since 1966, RIBA Awards set the standard for great architecture across the country.
The awards were announced at a ceremony on 1 May, at which Coventry University, College of the Arts and Society was named as winner of RIBA West Midlands Building of the Year Award 2025 (sponsored by EH Smith). The jury praised how the architects ambitiously “knitted the formerly disparate existing buildings together”, delivering “outstanding value for the university with a light touch.”
The full RIBA West Midlands 2025 Award winning projects are:
Hanbury Hall by Howells
The addition of a new café and kitchen to a Grade I listed country house in Worcestershire.
One Centenary Way – Howells - Project Architect of the Year (Simon Pope)
A sustainable, steel-frame office building, bridging over a busy road tunnel in Birmingham.
University of Staffordshire Woodlands Nursery by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios - Sustainability Award (sponsored by Autodesk), Client of the Year (sponsored by Equitone)
A timber-clad, carbon-neutral nursery built on a former car park.
Coventry University, College of the Arts and Society by BDP - Building of the Year (sponsored by EH Smith)
The transformation of two brutalist buildings into a future-facing hub at Coventry Universities’ College of Arts and Society.
Old Fire Station by KKE Architects Ltd
A renovation of a 1930’s fire station into 28 new apartments and retail space.
The five projects were selected by the expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.
RIBA West Midlands Jury Chair Tim Collett, Associate Professor at University of Nottingham, said:
“The award-winning projects in the West Midlands demonstrate how constraints can become opportunities - elevating and enhancing the inherent potential of each site. Whether spanning a road tunnel, replacing a car park, or transforming underperforming existing structures into dynamic and exciting places to study and live, these projects deliver outstanding value.
From city making to people making, they enrich lives through new sustainable approaches - from ground cooled fresh air to locally sourced oak. It is heartening to see successful collaboration with exceptional clients deliver projects that make such significant contributions to the quality of the built environment in the West Midlands.”
Speaking on all the UK Award winners, RIBA President, Muyiwa Oki, said:
“This year’s winners exemplify architecture’s power to transform—turning spaces into places of connection, creativity, and care. Spanning the length of the UK and diverse in form and function, our 2025 winners show a deep sensitivity to place and a strong coherence of thought between all teams involved. Individually these projects inspire and uplift, but collectively, they remind us that architects do far more than design buildings, they shape the way we live, work and connect.”
RIBA West Midlands Award winners will now be considered for a highly coveted RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, which will be announced on 10 July. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- For further press information please contact Max.Heptonstall@riba.org
- High resolution images and jury citations: RIBA West Midlands
- RIBA Special Awards are sponsored by EH Smith (Building of the Year), Autodesk (Sustainability Award), Equitone (Client of the Year) and Velux (Conservation).
- The RIBA Awards have been running since 1966 and are judged and presented locally. No matter the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA Award winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA Awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows.
- Entries are submitted to the region or nation in which the building is situated. Projects are judged first for RIBA Regional Awards, then RIBA National Awards; the RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist is selected from winners of the RIBA National Awards.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
