A total of 123 projects have been shortlisted across 21 categories for the ninth AJ Architecture Awards, the annual showcase of the very best built projects in the UK. The shortlists are being revealed over the course of this week.
Among the three finalists in the Civic category is Tonkin Liu’s York Minster Centre of Excellence, a pair of heritage craft buildings that combine traditional stonemasonry with advanced digital fabrication. Also in the running are two libraries: one in King’s Lynn by Hudson Architects; the other in West Wickham by Brimelow McSweeney Architects.
The Community and Faith category also has three shortlisted schemes: Eagle House youth centre in Hastings by IFDO; Tamar Valley Crematorium, Plymouth, by Fatkin; and Vault Youth Zone in Preston by John Puttick Associates.
Cultural projects are split into two categories, covering schemes costing up to and over £20 million, with 10 schemes shortlisted altogether, and Haworth Tompkins featuring in both: Backstage at The Old Vic, London; and Theatr Clwyd in north-east Wales, respectively. Also in the over £20 million category are Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s V&A East Storehouse, and Bennetts Associates’ multi-arts hub in Hertford, BEAM.
The expert judges, who are travelling the country to visit every shortlisted scheme, include Open House founder Victoria Thornton, winner of this year’s AJ100 Contribution to the Profession prize. Joining her are celebrated Czech-born architect Eva Jiřičná; RCKa founding director Russell Curtis; Dow Jones director Biba Dow; V&A head of capital programme Ingrid Petit; Jas Bhalla Works principal Jas Bhalla; and strategist Daisy Froud.
In addition to stand-out design, the judges will consider how each project has met or exceeded its brief, how it has promoted client or community engagement and how it has excelled in the use of space or sense of place. They will also strictly analyse what sustainability measures have been put in place. Each project must have been completed between 1 January 2025 and 31 July 2026.
The winners in the 21 categories, plus the three special award winners selected by the editors, will be announced at a celebratory dinner at the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday 26 November. More information can be found here.
Civic Project
York Minster Centre of Excellence by Tonkin Liu
Source: David Valinsky
King’s Lynn Library by Hudson Architects
West Wickham Library by Brimelow McSweeney Architects
York Minster Centre of Excellence by Tonkin Liu
Community and Faith Project
Eagle House by IFDO
Source: Kilian O’Sullivan
Eagle House by IFDO
Tamar Valley Crematorium by Fatkin
Vault Youth Zone by John Puttick Associates
Cultural Project (up to £20 million)
Sheep Field Barn by DSDHA
Source: Jim Stephenson
ArtPlay Pavilion at Dulwich Picture Gallery by Carmody Groarke
Backstage at The Old Vic by Haworth Tompkins
Power Hall, Science and Industry Museum Manchester by Carmody Groarke
Sheep Field Barn by DSDHA
The Harris Your Place by Buttress Architects
Tullie House: A New Welcome by De Matos Ryan
Cultural Project (£20 million and over)
Theatr Clwyd by Haworth Tompkins
Source: Philip Vile
BEAM by Bennetts Associates
Hopetown (Darlington Railway Heritage Quarter) by SPACE Architects
Theatr Clwyd by Haworth Tompkins
V&A East Storehouse by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
The 2026 AJ Architecture Awards are sponsored by
