Among the nominees is Paddington Square in London, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Adamson Associates.
The controversial Paddington Square project has been shortlisted for this year's Stirling Prize. Photo: Hufton + Crow Photography
The mixed-use building features a 55x55-meter cubic shape with an exposed steel frame and glass facades. The project took nine years to complete and was accompanied by design changes, criticism and public hearings that temporarily halted construction. This is Renzo Piano Building Workshop's second Stirling Prize nomination, following The Shard in 2014.
Another London finalist is the Lion Green Road housing development in Croydon by Mary Duggan Architects and RUFF Architects. The development consists of five brick buildings, combining affordable and private housing. The layout of the apartments is organized around a central core in the shape of a kind of "windmill".
A brick apartment complex in Croydon was also shortlisted for the award. Photo: Lorenzo Zandri
Two projects from the University of Cambridge were also shortlisted. The first is the extension of Pembroke College by Haworth Tompkins, which involved the renovation of six historic buildings and the construction of six new ones, connected by wooden galleries. The second is the oak extension to the listed Clare College by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, who won the 2025 Stirling Prize.
The extension to Pembroke College in Cambridge, designed by Howarth Tompkins, was one of two city projects shortlisted. Photo: Fred Howarth
Last year's Stirling Prize winner is in contention for the award again - this time for an extension to Clare College. Photo: Philip Vile
The fifth finalist was the BEAM Cultural Center in Hartford by Bennetts Associates and Citizens Design Bureau. The architects added new brick volumes to an existing 1970s theater, creating a contemporary public space.
BEAM Cultural Center gets a distinctive angular brick extension that wraps around the existing theater building. Photo: Hufton + Crow
The list closes with a private residential building on the edge of Epping Forest, designed by Sergison Bates. The studio was previously shortlisted for the Stirling Prize with a residential project in 2023.
A private house on the edge of Epping Forest was also shortlisted. Photo: Johan Dehlin
RIBA President Chris Williamson said this year’s finalists demonstrate what architecture can achieve when creativity, social value and functionality are combined. He said the projects not only stand out for their architectural quality, but also have a positive impact on communities, historic environments and urban spaces.
The RIBA Stirling Prize, established in 1996, is awarded annually to the architect of a building that has made the most significant contribution to the development of architecture and the built environment. The finalists are chosen from among the winners of the RIBA National Awards - this year there were 32 such projects.
The main photo is the Paddington Square complex, designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop architectural firm.
See also:
Reimagining Spaces: Mies van der Rohe Award Announces 2026 Winners
Five projects by Ukrainian studios made it to the shortlist of the World Architecture Festival 2026
Therapeutic Garden at VDNH Shortlisted for European Architecture Award