The transformation of a former Victorian school building into a cultural hub, and a new “flexible” school building that offers an innovative model for future schools are the two winners of the RIBA East Midlands Awards 2025.
Presented since 1966, the RIBA Awards set the standard for great architecture across the country.
The Awards were announced at a ceremony this evening (14 May), at which Primary, a new cultural hub, was named as winner of the RIBA East Midlands Building of the Year Award 2025 (sponsored by EH Smith). The jury praised how the space “fosters collaboration, creativity and community, reaching beyond its immediate neighbourhood to inspire and connect people from all walks of life”. They noted that although “modest in scale and budget, every intervention has been thoughtfully designed and detailed with care, precision and a deep sensitivity to the building’s character and function.”
The RIBA East Midlands Awards 2025 winning projects are:
St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy by Hawkins\Brown (Project Architect of the Year, Sustainability Award sponsored by Autodesk)
A highly sustainable, "flexible” school building, offering an innovative model for future schools.
Primary by Pricegore (Building of the Year sponsored by EH Smith), Small Project of the Year, Client of the Year sponsored by Equitone)
Transformation of a characterful former Victorian school building in Nottingham into an inspiring cultural hub.
The 2 projects were selected by the expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.
RIBA East Midlands Jury Chair, Anne Schroell, Associate at Niall McLaughlin Architects, said:
“This year's award-winning projects in the East Midlands show how architecture can enrich lives. From transforming a Victorian school into a cultural hub to designing a sustainable modern primary school, the winning projects foster creativity, connection, and community. They act as catalysts for positive change, inspiring people across generations and backgrounds. These buildings are a powerful reminder that architecture shapes not only our built environment, but also our shared experiences and the future we create together.”
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 East 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 East 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.
