This year’s shortlist for the prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture presents a strikingly diverse array of new British buildings that challenge conventional expectations of urban design and heritage conservation. From a modern reinterpretation of the almshouse to a high-tech medical research centre and the meticulous restoration of one of the nation’s emblematic monuments, the six finalists capture a wide range of architectural ambition and social purpose, predominantly located in London with one notable entry in Cambridge and another in Hastings.

At the heart of the shortlisted projects is the Appleby Blue Almshouse in Bermondsey, London, devised by Witherford Watson Mann Architects. This project rethinks the traditional almshouse as more than just shelter for the elderly; it is a vital social hub grounded in community engagement. Nicknamed “a place of care and shelter,” Appleby Blue emphasises active social connection—a sharp rebuttal to the architectural marginalisation often faced by older and economically disadvantaged residents. The design foregrounds residents’ visibility within the urban fabric, with glazed walkways that project outwards, functioning like shop windows and fostering a sense of inclusion rather than isolation. Interiors feature timber-clad, accessible spaces that aim to deinstitutionalise elder care, reflecting a deep understanding of wellbeing in architectural form.

A leap in scale and ambition is evident in the Discovery Centre in Cambridge, tailored for AstraZeneca and designed by Herzog & de Meuron in collaboration with BDP. This crystalline, doughnut-shaped building embodies a contemporary archetype of institutional architecture—an iconic “statement building” of high precision and architectural finesse. Nestled on a biomedical campus near Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the Discovery Centre subtly pays homage to the collegiate quadrangles for which Cambridge is famous, replacing conventional rigid forms with a faceted glass envelope that morphs into a sawtooth roof. Inside, flexible, interconnected laboratories foster innovation with transparency and openness, heralding this facility as a prototype for future research environments. Architectural commentators have described the design as “architectural haute couture,” starkly contrasting the more pedestrian surroundings of its campus neighbours.

In Stratford, London, Allies & Morrison’s design for the London College of Fashion represents a vertical campus tailored to the needs of a large creative community. Housing 5,500 students in a 17-storey atrium-filled complex, the building is the tallest higher education facility in the UK. With dramatic staircases and panoramic city views, the design supports an energetic hive of creative endeavour, clearly intended as a muscular urban landmark in London’s expanding cultural quarter.

Two shortlisted houses demonstrate how thoughtful design can transform domestic spaces. Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects augments a highly ornate Victorian property with a series of timber-framed rooms that balance reverence for heritage and contemporary living. Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki Architects in Southwark, London, channels Japanese architectural principles to merge house and garden seamlessly. The design explores “engawa,” a covered corridor that blurs interior and exterior spaces, using sliding doors and glazed walls to create fluid, open-plan living areas connected to gardens and courtyards. This modest pavilion articulates a quiet, architectural vernacular distinct from the London norm.

Completing this varied shortlist is the extraordinary restoration of the Elizabeth Tower—colloquially known as Big Ben—carried out by conservation specialists Purcell with the support of a skilled team of craftspeople. Marked as the most comprehensive repair in its 160-year history, the restoration meticulously reinstates Augustus Pugin’s original Victorian colour scheme of Prussian blue and gold on the clock faces and rectifies decades of patchwork repairs stemming from wartime damage and earlier botched refurbishments. The project also introduces a new visitor lift, enhancing accessibility and removing the arduous climb of 334 steps. While the restoration is celebrated as a triumph, concerns remain about the broader condition of the Palace of Westminster, which continues to face challenges related to its functional suitability and escalating maintenance costs.

The Stirling Prize remains the UK’s highest accolade for architectural excellence, but winning it does not guarantee a building’s long-term survival. The fate of the 1996 inaugural winner, the University of Salford’s Centenary Building by Hodder Associates, serves as a cautionary tale. Despite initial acclaim, it is now due for demolition after years of vacancy and failure to secure historic listing, underscoring the ongoing tension between architectural innovation and practical longevity.

The winner of the 2025 Stirling Prize will be announced on 16 October at the Roundhouse in London, with all shortlisted projects exemplifying distinct, thoughtful responses to the varied demands of contemporary architecture and community needs.

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Source: Noah Wire Services