A “Tardis-like” coastal conservation centre, the transformation of a Grade II listed former department store and a carefully conserved micro-holiday home, are among the four winners of the RIBA North East 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 (29 May), at which Ad Gefrin Anglo Saxon Museum and Distillery was named as the winner of RIBA North East Building of the Year Award 2025 (sponsored by EH Smith). The jury praised the project for “delivering social sustainability through genuine benefits to the community”, noting how it “offers a model for holistic, sustainable rural economic development that should be replicated around the country.”
The RIBA North East Awards 2025 winning projects are:
Ad Gefrin Anglo Saxon Museum and Distillery by Elphick Associates (Building of the Year sponsored by EH Smith, Project Architect of the Year - Richard Elphick, Sustainability Award sponsored by Autodesk, Client of the Year sponsored by Equitone)
A distillery and a museum of Anglo-Saxon history offers a model for holistic, sustainable rural economic development
Farrell Centre by Space Architects and Elliott Architects
The transformation of a Grade II listed former department store on the edge of Newcastle University campus.
Rocket House by Napper Architects (Conservation Award sponsored by Velux, Small Project of the Year)
A micro-holiday home on the Northumberland coast carefully conserved by its owners.
Whitburn Coastal Conservation Centre by MawsonKerr Architects
Built on a challenging coastal site, this modern, “Tardis-like” conservation centre provides a “calming” respite from the bracing North Sea.
The four projects were selected by the expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.
RIBA North East Jury Chair, Amy Waite, Associate Director at Mikhail Riches said:
"Congratulations to all the winners of this year's North East Awards. A diverse range of projects, they demonstrate the remarkable impact of great architecture. From a transformed former department store and a carefully conserved micro-holiday home to a rural distillery and a coastal conservation centre, each are a testament to the skills and collaboration of everyone involved."
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 North East 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 North East
- 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.
