Saltdean Lido, an iconic Grade II* listed Art Deco building in Brighton, was named one of six winners in the South East division of the 2026 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Awards, which highlight the UK’s best new architecture.
The accolade follows the completion of an £11 million restoration project in 2024, funded through community donations and National Lottery funding.
Saltdean Lido is the only grade II listed Lido in the UK. (Image: The Argus Archive)
Chris Williamson, president of RIBA, said the BBC: “Over six decades, these awards have charted a cultural journey across the UK, reflecting how architecture has responded to changing needs in education, industry, work and home life.
“Today, as in 1966, we celebrate architecture that sets new standards for how we live and shape our communities, and which reminds us just how important it is to keep raising the bar.”
RIBA South East jury chair Craig Sheach called the winning group “exceptional”.
The Lido restoration was a 14-year project to restore the lido to its former glory.
Other winners in the South East region included St Raphael’s health and wellbeing centre at Mayfield School in East Sussex, which received the Building of the Year award.
Casa Bassa, a converted garage in Guildford, Surrey, was named Small Project of the Year.
High House, a sustainable home in the South Downs National Park, also received an award, alongside a contemporary West Sussex residence called Clay Rise and The Richard Cairns Building at Brighton College.
Now in its 60th year, the RIBA Awards recognises the best of the UK’s architecture, with the finalists selected by an expert jury.
The South East winners will now be considered for a highly coveted RIBA National Award, the results of which will be announced in July.
The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will then be drawn from those national winners later in the year.