Projects are shortlisted for the RIBA East Awards 2026

Once again, some ground-breaking architectural projects have been shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) East Awards.

Among the 18 different buildings or developments chosen are an oak-framed university college addition, a new cultural landmark in Hertford and a development of 21 almshouses.

Haileybury SciTech in Hertford is a new science and technology campus that reimagines the way science can be taught in schools in the future.

The design by Hopkins Architects integrates a new cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated (glulam) framed extension with existing buildings, arranged around a central courtyard and cloister.

The school’s existing 1934 Grade II-listed Herbert Baker building has been carefully opened up at the rear to create an axial connection between one side of the cloister and the more recent 1990s Design Technology building opposite.

Prestley Wood Academy in Huntingdon is a new SEN school designed and built on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council and Horizons Trust.

Providing state-of-the-art facilities including sensory rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, a trampoline room, and soft play areas, it was designed by AtkinsRéalis and caters for students aged four to 19.

Other projects included the TTP Campus at Melbourn in Cambridgeshire.

Set within a rural landscape and designed by Sheppard Robson, this has been shaped around the company’s values of non-hierarchical, collaborative working.

The largest building, the Hive, is a single-storey structure where the majority of the lab spaces open to the workplaces.

The Exchange is a circular pavilion, its soft form a counterpoint to the gridded plan of the Hive, and is a place for TTP’s 400 staff to relax and come together.

RIBA East Jury chair, Julian de Metz, director at dMFK Architects, said: “The East region, diverse in typology, scale and context, boasts some spectacular architecture at every level.

“Congratulations to all those who made this year's shortlist, with projects ranging from a modest, low-cost artist studio to major housing, education and arts projects.

“But what elevates a good building of any size to become great architecture?

“This will be best judged by seeing those buildings in the flesh, and the jury is excited and privileged to be doing this.”

All projects shortlisted for RIBA Awards will be visited by a regional jury, and the winning projects will be announced later this spring.

These projects will then be considered for several RIBA East Special Awards, including the RIBA East Sustainability Award and RIBA East Building of the Year, before being considered for a highly coveted RIBA National Award, which will be announced in the summer.

The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize – the UK’s best new building – will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects and announced in September.

The Stirling Prize winner will be announced in October.

Image by Hufton and Crow Photography