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.
Seven projects have been shortlisted in the Leisure category, including Fulham Pier by Populous, south London’s Burgess Park Sports Centre by Bell Phillips and Darley Street Market in Bradford by Greig & Stephenson Architects.
Among the five shortlisted Infrastructure and Transport schemes are Renfrew Bridge by Kettle Collective, the first opening road bridge across the River Clyde; HS2’s Colne Valley Viaduct by Grimshaw; and Ancoats Mobility Hub by Buttress Architects, which aims to embed green transport choices in an emerging neighbourhood.
There are seven finalists in the Mixed-use Project category including Manchester’s House of Social, a student accommodation block by Tim Groom Architects; The Whiteley by Foster + Partners, a retrofit combining residences, dining and retail; and 1 Broadgate by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.
In the running in the Workplace category are eight projects, among them 25 Hanover Square by Basha-Franklin, Barge Crescent by Henley Halebrown and Paradise SE11 by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.
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.
Leisure Project
Burgess Park Sports Centre by Bell Phillips
Source: Kilian O’Sullivan
Burgess Park Sports Centre by Bell Phillips
Darley Street Market by Greig & Stephenson Architects
Eden Mill Distillery and Visitor Centre by Opfer Logan Architects and Reiach and Hall Architects
Fulham Pier by Populous
Royal Dornoch New Clubhouse by Keppie
Tarlair Outdoor Pool Pavilion by Studio Octopi
The Quintin Boat House by Assorted Skills + Talents*
Infrastructure and Transport Project
Colne Valley Viaduct by Grimshaw
Source: Hufton + Crow
Ancoats Mobility Hub by Buttress Architects
Beaulieu Park Station by Fereday Pollard & Partners
Colne Valley Viaduct by Grimshaw
EcoPark South by Grimshaw
Renfrew Bridge by Kettle Collective
Mixed-use Project
1 Broadgate by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Source: Rob Parrish
1 Broadgate by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
3 and 15 West Lane by HTA Design
House of Social by Tim Groom Architects
Mason and Fifth Westbourne Park by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris with TiggColl
No 1 St Michaels by Hodder + Partners
The King’s Quarter by Reef and Partners with Whittam Cox Architects
The Whiteley by Foster + Partners
Workplace Project
Barge Crescent by Henley Halebrown
Source: Rory Gaylor
25 Hanover Square by Basha-Franklin
Barge Crescent by Henley Halebrown
Folgate Building by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
No 1 St Michaels by Hodder+Partners
One Millennium Bridge by Piercy&Company
Paradise SE11 by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Pixel by Stride Treglown
Stonecutter by tp bennett
The 2026 AJ Architecture Awards are sponsored by
