{"id":694479,"date":"2026-07-16T08:36:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T08:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/694479\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T08:36:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T08:36:23","slug":"aj-retrofit-reuse-awards-2026-shortlist-4-future-reuse-europe-retrofit-revisited-decarbonisation-and-grassroots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/694479\/","title":{"rendered":"AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards 2026 shortlist 4: Future reuse, Europe, retrofit revisited, decarbonisation and grassroots"},"content":{"rendered":"

These awards celebrate architectural excellence in the renewal and repurposing of existing buildings. This year\u2019s 18 categories emphasise the reuse of existing structures and materials, and the lessons learnt. The fourth set of shortlisted categories to be announced are Future reuse; Models from Europe; Retrofit revisited; Decarbonisation at scale; and Meanwhile and grassroots.<\/p>\n

Future reuse celebrates unbuilt projects that demonstrate strategic foresight and sustainable architectural vision for repurposing existing structures. The eight-project shortlist spans a range of typologies including drawing-board work for several high-profile existing buildings including the post-war Grade II*-listed Crystal Palace National Sports Centre\u2019s swimming pool in south London and Alison and Peter Smithsons\u2019 1950s Smithdon High School in Hunstanton.<\/p>\n

FaulknerBrowns and WOO architects put forward plans to renovate the iconic sports facility<\/a> earlier this year, while Jestico + Whiles plans for a comprehensive refurbishment of the Norfolk school<\/a> were granted listed building consent last year.<\/p>\n

The Models from Europe shortlist \u2013 a new category introduced this year to celebrate how Europe is leading the way in terms of material circularity \u2013 features three projects. David Kohn Architects\u2019 transformation of a former b\u00e9guinage into architecture facility in Hasselt is shortlisted alongside DRDH Architects\u2019 rehearsal room for the Belgium National Orchestra, while bureau SLA and Ninja Zurheide feature for From Weapons to Workspaces, a project that reimagines former military infrastructure for contemporary use in Zaandam in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

Retrofit revisited celebrates projects that have demonstrated the long-term success of retrofit, with schemes returning years after completion to show how they have performed in use. The four-project shortlist includes Allford Hall Monaghan Morris\u2019s 2017 home for the Metropolitan Police<\/a> alongside Gillespie Yunnie Architects\u2019 work at Royal William Yard in Plymouth<\/a>. LHC Design\u2019s JCB Academy and Holland Harvey\u2019s emergency night shelter \u2013 which featured in the AJ\u2019s 2025 homelessness<\/a> issue \u2013 complete the category.<\/p>\n

For the four-strong Decarbonisation at scale category \u2013 adapted to recognise ambitious projects delivering significant carbon savings across large or complex estates \u2013 HTA Design\u2019s work at the historic Sutton Estate joins Wright & Wright\u2019s strategic refurb of Lambeth Palace<\/a> for the Church of England on the shortlist, alongside GRID Architects\u2019 ongoing transformation of the 1930s Stanley Gordon Jeeves-designed Dolphin Square<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The last of the 18 enterable categories to be announced is Meanwhile and grassroots. This celebrates temporary, community-led and low-cost projects that involve some material reuse and circularity. IF_DO\u2019s Eagle House in Hastings appears for a second time in this year\u2019s awards alongside Reed Watts Architects\u2019 demountable Chichester theatre<\/a>. Stride Treglown also features for its circular kitchen, a project that combines reuse with community engagement, while a tiny public facilities overhaul for a long-running Bristol venue completes the list.<\/p>\n

Formerly known as the AJ Retrofit Awards, the awards programme was renamed the\u00a0AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards<\/a>\u00a0in 2024 to better reflect the expanding scope of retrofit practice, from adaptive reuse to decarbonisation and whole-life carbon reduction.<\/p>\n

More than 110 projects have been shortlisted across this year\u2019s awards. Each practice has presented its project to the judges in a virtual session comprising a five-minute presentation followed by up to 10 minutes of questions. The 28-strong jury includes net zero carbon manager Tania Jennings, Max Fordham partner and director of sustainability Hero Bennett and associate professor at the London School of Architecture Ruth Lang.<\/p>\n

The winners will be announced at the AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards on Thursday 24 September at a new venue this year \u2013 the Grade II-listed Art Deco live events and music hall The Troxy in east London. You can find out more about the\u00a0AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Last week, the\u00a0AJ announced that keynote speeches from Grafton co-founder Shelley McNamara and OMA partner Reinier de Graaf<\/a>\u00a0will bookend the AJ\u2019s CircularBuild 2026 event, to be held on 16 September in central London.<\/p>\n

CircularBuild 2026,<\/a>\u00a0which will also include contributions from Mace, Landsec, and Great Portland Estates, will be held at Convene in the City of London.<\/p>\n

The event, now in its fifth year, is an evolution of the annual AJ Retrofit Live event, which was inspired by our\u00a0RetroFirst campaign<\/a>\u00a0for the reuse of existing buildings.<\/p>\n

Shortlists
\nFuture reuse
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre by FaulknerBrowns<\/p>\n

Source: FaulknerBrowns\/Pillar Visuals<\/p>\n

10 Salisbury Square by John Robertson Architects
\n201 Grafton Gate by LOM architecture and design
\nCables Wynd and Linkview House by Collective Architecture
\nCrystal Palace National Sports Centre by FaulknerBrowns
\nSmithdon High School by Jestico + Whiles
\nThe Pitt Edinburgh by S+CO
\nThe Tate Institute by Office S&M Architects
\nURS Building by Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt<\/p>\n

Models from Europe
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Hasselt Beguinage by David Kohn Architects<\/p>\n

Source: Stijn Bollaert<\/p>\n

Atelier BNO \u2013 Rehearsal room for the Belgium National Orchestra by DRDH Architects
\nFrom Weapons to Workspaces by bureau SLA and Ninja Zurheide
\nHasselt Beguinage by David Kohn Architects<\/p>\n

Retrofit revisited
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

JCB Academy by LHC Design<\/p>\n

Source: Morley von Sternberg<\/p>\n

JCB Academy by LHC Design
\nNew Scotland Yard by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
\nRoyal William Yard, Plymouth, by Gillespie Yunnie Architects
\nShelter From The Storm by Holland Harvey<\/p>\n

Decarbonisation at scale
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Lambeth Palace Masterplan by Wright & Wright Architects<\/p>\n

Source: Hufton + Crow<\/p>\n

Brampton House \u2013 Hotel to Homes by Co Create Architects
\nDolphin Square by GRID architects
\nLambeth Palace Masterplan by Wright & Wright Architects
\nThe Sutton Estate by HTA Design<\/p>\n

Meanwhile and grassroots
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

The Nest by Reed Watts Architects<\/p>\n

Source: Fred Howarth<\/p>\n

Cube Cinema by Jo Kelly with Cube Cinema volunteers
\nEagle House by IF_DO
\nThe Circular Kitchen by Stride Treglown
\nThe Nest by Reed Watts Architects<\/p>\n

The 2026 AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards are sponsored by
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