A children’s mental health clinic and outpatient unit infused with humanity and care in its design (The Catkin Centre and Sunflower House) and a specialist new education building at the University of Salford (The School of Science, Engineering and Environment Building, University of Salford) are among the four winners of the RIBA North West 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 (15 May), at which Vestige was named as winner of RIBA North West Building of the Year Award 2025 (sponsored by EH Smith). The jury praised it as an “exemplary prototype for a modern suburban family home”, noting how the “subtle interplays of solid and void, of rendered ground floor and timber box above, delight with clever details”.
The RIBA North West Awards 2025 winning projects are:
The School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) Building, University of Salford by Sheppard Robson (Project Architect of the Year, Matthew Taylor)
A new education building at the University of Salford combines specialist workshops and laboratories with flexible social spaces.
The Catkin Centre and Sunflower House by Cullinan Studio with 10architect (Client of the Year sponsored by Equitone)
A children’s mental health clinic and outpatient unit in Liverpool, infused with humanity and care in its design.
Vestige by Smith Young Architects (Building of the Year sponsored by EH Smith, Small Project of the Year)
A modest, discreet suburban family home designed with contemporary spaces full of detail and surprise.
Aviva Studios – Factory International by OMA
A bold multipurpose arts venue forms a distinctive new landmark on the edge of Manchester city centre.
The four projects were selected by the expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.
RIBA North West Jury Chair Dominic Wilkinson, Principal Lecturer Liverpool John Moores University, said:
“The award winning projects from the North West region present a diverse example of the positive impact architecture can have on the lives of its users, with everything from medical buildings with highly challenging client requirements to single family houses enriching the lives of its owners. Public and private sectors are represented with schemes of all sizes and complexities.
The winners ranging from large cultural venues delivering world class innovative creative programmes to state of the art education facilities training future engineers, illustrate the value for clients and the public in commissioning quality architecture. These projects taken together along with the larger selection of shortlisted schemes demonstrate a positive future for architecture in the region.”
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 West 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 West
- 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.
