The award is for projects led by an early-career project architect, defined by the RIBA as ‘typically someone who has qualified within five years prior to the project’s completion’.

Now in its 28th year, the award was established in memory of Stephen Lawrence, a teenager and aspiring architect who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1993. The award aims to inspire others in the early stages of their architectural career.

The shortlist, announced today (4 August), includes the Buttermarket by Architectural Thread, led by project architect Claire Fear, which took home the Retrofit of the Year prize at The AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards 2025.

The heritage-led regeneration project within a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Redruth, Cornwall, has already won an RIBA South West and Wessex Award, while Fear was named the region’s project architect of the year. The jury called the scheme a ‘deeply considered act of continuity, demonstrating how heritage can be a platform for renewal’.

Also in contention is the Apple House by Okra, with project architect Ben Stuart-Smith. This project creates a community space for horticultural and environmental leadership within a barn at the centre of a ‘neglected orchard’ in Hertfordshire.

Also vying for the prize is Walled Garden, Auckland Castle, by MawsonKerr Architect, with Nita Kidd as project architect, delivering the revival of a Grade II-listed Victorian walled garden in County Durham, which now acts as a hub for education and community wellbeing.

Another scheme in the running is Oru Sutton, the conversion of a redundant department store into a mixed-use commercial space in Sutton, by Samuel Chisholm Studio and Takero Shimazaki Architects, with Maija Viksne as project architect.

Finally, rounding out the list is Park Lane Stables RDA, by Architecture WK, with project architect Damian Jakubek leading the adaptation of an urban stables into a new facility for the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Ben Stuart-Smith for The Apple House, by Okra

Source: Nick Dearden Press

Jury chair Matthew Goldschmied, managing trustee at the Marco Goldschmied Foundation, said: ‘Once again, the shortlist presented the jury with a diverse array of outstanding projects by early-career architects. Through excellence in community connection, regeneration of public spaces, education environments and ecological sensitivity, these projects collectively reassure us of the undoubted talent emerging into the profession.

‘Those shortlisted have become part of the living memorial to Stephen Lawrence, and we are looking forward to visiting all projects and meeting the project architects and clients behind them.’

This year’s jury also includes Stephen Lawrence’s mother, Doreen Lawrence; Edem Torsutse, student juror, University of Greenwich; and Alex Spicer, a director of Matthew Lloyd Architects and winner of the year’s Stephen Lawrence Prize.

Spicer won the award for his role in creating Matthew Lloyd Architects’ transformation of St Mary’s Walthamstow church into a multi-use community venue, with judges praising the project’s ‘architectural evolution’, which resulted in a ‘church for the whole community’.

RIBA president Chris Williamson said: ‘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.’

The Stephen Lawrence Prize shortlist is selected from winners of the RIBA Regional Awards 2026. Project architects and their year of qualification were identified at the point of entry to the awards.

The winner will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony on Thursday 15 October at London’s Old Billingsgate.

Nita Kidd for Walled Garden, Auckland Castle, by MawsonKerr Architect

Source: Graeme Peaock Press

Stephen Lawrence Prize 2026 shortlist

  • Notting Hill and Ealing High School Junior School by Hawkins/Brown (project architect: Justin Bean )
  • Oru Sutton by Samuel Chisholm Studio and Takero Shimazaki Architects (project architect: Maija Viksne)
  • Park Lane Stables RDA by Architecture WK ltd (project architect: Damian Jakubek)
  • The Apple House by Okra (project architect: Ben Stuart-Smith)
  • The Buttermarket by Architectural Thread (project architect: Claire Fear)
  • Walled Garden, Auckland Castle by MawsonKerr Architect (project architect: Nita Kidd)

Maija Viksne for Oru Sutton, by Samuel Chisholm Studio and Takero Shimazaki Architects

Source: Oru Sutton Anton Gorlenko Press