The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) annually establishes an international standard for outstanding architecture through its famous awards program. The RIBA Awards system is precisely designed and includes numerous degrees of distinction. It starts at the regional level, where excellent structures in the UK are recognized for their architectural integrity and native significance. 

This year, 38 London projects were recognized with RIBA London Awards 2025, selected from a shortlist of 78.  Among these, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris’ renovation of Tower Hamlets Town Hall stood out as the London Building of the Year, recognizing both architectural brilliance and civic reform.

These national and international prizes honor initiatives that rationally react to social, cultural, and environmental imperatives.

RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2025: Honoring SANAA

The desirable ‘RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2025’ has been presented to the Japanese architectural partnership Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa from SANAA. 

SANAA is known for its minimalist and context-sensitive designs, and its portfolio includes the New Museum in New York, the Rolex Learning Center in Lausanne, and the Louvre-Lens Museum in France. The work they create is distinguished by light-weight construction, transparency, and a seamless interaction with the surroundings. 

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki praised SANAA’s “unassuming yet impactful leadership,” emphasizing their dedication to providing accessible and inclusive venues. The duo’s approach focuses on non-hierarchical places that encourage community involvement and demonstrate a thorough awareness of cultural settings.

Urban Innovation and Heritage Revival

The RIBA London Awards 2025 celebrated projects that redefine urban living and honor historical contexts. Among the notable winners:

Tower Hamlets Town Hall, designed by Allford Hall  Monaghan Morris:  This proposal, named the ‘RIBA London Building of the Year 2025’, is acclaimed for its delicate transformation of a historic property into a contemporary civic space. 

Catching Sun House by StudioShaw: Architect Mark Shaw converted a disused garage in Walthamstow into a sunny, energy-efficient dwelling.  Using SketchUp for solar modeling, the design maximizes natural light and heat retention, with underfloor heating and exposed wall blocks. 

Hawkins/Brown’s Central Foundation Boys School project was recognized with many awards, including the ‘RIBA London Project Architect of the Year 2025’ and the Sustainability Award, for its creative and sustainable instructional facilities.

Citizens House by Archio: Recognized for its community-led design process, this project earned the ‘RIBA London Client of the Year Award 2025’, exemplifying collaborative architecture. 

WorkStack by dRMM, winner of the ‘RIBA London Award 2025’, introduces a fresh vision for vertical industrial design using engineered timber. Crafted to be low-cost, efficient, and sustainable, it provides 14 stacked workshops supporting local creatives and small-scale industries.

Tower Court, winner of the RIBA London Award 2025, is a human-scaled response to Hackney’s housing needs, offering 132 homes that blend social rent, shared ownership, and market sale. Designed by a collaborative team, it prioritizes dignity, density, and inclusivity, particularly for large families and returning residents.

As the architectural landscape evolves to meet social requirements, the RIBA Awards demonstrate the profession’s ability to encourage and effect significant change through design.

For a comprehensive list of the 2025 RIBA London Award winners and detailed insights into each project, please visit the official RIBA website: RIBA London Awards 2025 Winners.