A “quietly radical” model for supporting women in the justice system, the careful restoration of Eton School Hall, and the conversion of two farm buildings on the Isle of Wight into a new home and spaces for visiting artists, are among the six winners of the RIBA South 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 (21 May), at which The Jackson Library - Exeter College, Oxford was named as winner of RIBA South Building of the Year Award 2025 (sponsored by EH Smith). The jury praised the project for “radically transforming the library through sensitively yet confidently designed” adaptions “tying together old and new.” They described it as an “intelligent renovation” that has “taken a tired listed building with limitations and turned it into a fresh, robust and light-filled environment for studying”.
The RIBA South Awards 2025 winning projects are:
Blenheim Palace Orangery by Nick Cox Architects
A bold restoration and re-design of the fire-damaged Orangery roof in a Grade I listed building delivers a new benchmark for heritage adaption.
Eton School Hall by Hopkins Architects
Eton College’s Grade II listed Memorial Hall has been conserved and restored after years of incremental adaptions, re-establishing the spirit of place.
Hope Street by Snug Architects (Client of the Year sponsored by Equitone, Sustainability Award sponsored by Autodesk)
A quietly radical model for supporting women in the justice system, the modest architecture balances opposing needs to leave a lasting impact.
Rhodes House Transformation by Stanton Williams
Respectful interventions to this impressive Grade II* listed Arts and Crafts building vastly increases space and improves environmental performance.
The Jackson Library - Exeter College, Oxford by Nex (Building of the Year sponsored by EH Smith, Project Architect of the Year - Joe Dent, Conservation Award sponsored by Velux)
A radical transformation of a deteriorating library in Exeter College has created a fresh, robust and light-filled environment for studying.
The Old Byre by Gianni Botsford Architects (Small Project of the Year)
This conversion of two understated farm buildings on the Isle of Wight creates a new home while also offering residency and working spaces for visiting artists.
The six projects were selected by the expert jury, who visited all shortlisted projects.
RIBA South Jury Chair Fergus Feilden, Director at Feilden Fowles, said:
“Congratulations to all the South winners, who together with a strong shortlist, showcase the depth and diversity of architecture across the region. From a radical model for supporting women in the justice system to outstanding conservation and restoration projects, the message is clear – architecture has the power to transform lives and places.”
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 South 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 South
- 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.
