RIBA reveals shortlist for 2026 Stephen Lawrence Prize
The North East is represented on this year’s shortlist by MawsonKerr Architect’s restoration of the historic Walled Garden at Auckland Castle in County Durham.
Now in its 28th year, the award celebrates projects led by architects who typically qualified within five years of a scheme’s completion.
Established in 1998 by Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE and Marco Goldschmied, the prize honours the memory of Stephen Lawrence, an aspiring architect who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1993.
This year’s shortlist spans education, adaptive reuse, heritage regeneration and community-led projects, with judges highlighting schemes that demonstrate social impact, sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The shortlisted projects are:
- Walled Garden, Auckland Castle, County Durham – Nita Kidd, MawsonKerr Architect
The restoration of a Grade II-listed Victorian walled garden as a centre for education, horticulture and community wellbeing. - Notting Hill and Ealing High School Junior School, West London – Justin Bean, Hawkins\Brown
A new timber-roofed junior school designed to deliver high-quality learning environments while prioritising environmental performance. - Oru Sutton, South West London – Maija Viksne, Samuel Chisholm Studio and Takero Shimazaki Architects
The adaptive reuse of a redundant department store to create flexible mixed-use commercial space. - Park Lane Stables RDA – Damian Jakubek, Architecture WK Ltd
The sensitive transformation of urban stables into new facilities for the Riding for the Disabled Association. - The Apple House, Hertfordshire – Ben Stuart-Smith, Okra
A multifunctional community barn created within a restored orchard to support year-round horticultural and environmental programmes. - The Buttermarket, Redruth, Cornwall – Claire Fear, Architectural Thread
The regeneration of a former butter market into an accessible community hub for independent businesses, artists and events.
The Stephen Lawrence Prize aims to champion emerging architectural talent while recognising projects that make a lasting contribution to the built environment and the communities they serve.
Chris Williamson, RIBA President, said: “This year’s shortlist is a powerful reminder of the talent, creativity and innovation emerging within our profession.
“From the sensitive restoration of historic buildings to the creation of new structures that support education, wellbeing and community, these projects demonstrate the enormous impact architecture can have when people and purpose are placed at its core.
“Not only are these emerging architects shaping the future of our built environment, but they are already delivering projects of exceptional quality and social value.”
