{"id":1090393,"date":"2026-07-15T08:49:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T08:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1090393\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T08:49:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T08:49:28","slug":"aj-retrofit-reuse-awards-2026-shortlist-3-fit-out-small-project-and-private-renovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1090393\/","title":{"rendered":"AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards 2026 shortlist 3: Fit-out, small project and private renovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

These awards celebrate architectural excellence in the renewal and repurposing of existing buildings. This year\u2019s 18 categories emphasise the reuse of existing structures and materials, and the lessons learnt. The third set of shortlisted categories to be announced are Fit-out; Private\/individual renovation (up to \u00a3800,000); Private\/individual renovation (\u00a3800,000 and over); and Project under \u00a3800,000.<\/p>\n

Fit-out brings together projects that demonstrate the potential of interior architecture across workplaces, cultural venues and hospitality \u2013 all with circularity in mind. Barr Gazetas\u2019 42 Wigmore Street office refit joins Gort Scott\u2019s Portman Estate headquarters on the five-project shortlist, alongside AOC Architecture\u2019s reinvention of Bradford\u2019s National Science and Media Museum\u2019s galleries and public entrance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

HUT Architecture\u2019s design centre for an international wood surfaces manufacturer and Rural Office\u2019s restoration of a rural south Wales theatre foyer \u2013 shortlisted for this year\u2019s AJ Small Projects<\/a> \u2013 complete the category.<\/p>\n

Private\/individual renovation has once again been divided into two value bands, reflecting the diversity of this year\u2019s residential entries. The under \u00a3800,000 shortlist includes ten projects ranging from modest extensions to comprehensive refurbishments, with Theis + Khan Architects, TYPE and Material Works among those recognised. T Parsons Design\u2019s A-Typical Terrace appears alongside Will Gamble Architects\u2019 Muttram Veedu, Studio naama\u2019s Skyler House and ANYY Architects\u2019 Spruce House, with Connolly Wellingham Architects, OEB Architects and Stylus Architects also securing nominations.<\/p>\n

In the \u00a3800,000 and over bracket, larger-scale home transformations and rural conversions take centre stage. Hayhurst & Co\u2019s Hampstead Town House \u2013 also shortlisted for a London RIBA Award this year<\/a> \u2013 joins GS Architecture\u2019s Passive House, also in Hampstead, while Artel31\u2019s House in a Barn appears alongside Napier Clarke Architects\u2019 Bodney Beach House. Paul Archer Design\u2019s Hebron House and Gresford Architects\u2019 The Old Orchard complete the six-project shortlist.<\/p>\n

The Project under \u00a3800,000 category showcases smaller-budget schemes delivering significant architectural impact. Cultural, educational and conservation projects sit alongside inventive workplace and residential interventions, with The Manser Practice\u2019s Goodwood Art Gallery shortlisted alongside NOOMA Studio\u2019s wellbeing garden for an international school. Citizen Architects\u2019 repair of Old St Leonard\u2019s Hall joins CarverHaggard\u2019s Raw Material, while Baillie Baillie Architects\u2019 Watchmaker\u2019s Workshop and ConForm Architects\u2019 Komorebi complete the shortlist.<\/p>\n

Formerly known as the AJ Retrofit Awards, the awards programme was renamed the\u00a0AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards<\/a>\u00a0in 2024 to better reflect the expanding scope of retrofit practice, from adaptive reuse to decarbonisation and whole-life carbon reduction.<\/p>\n

More than 110 projects have been shortlisted across this year\u2019s awards. Each practice has presented its project to the judges in a virtual session comprising a five-minute presentation followed by up to 10 minutes of questions. The 28-strong jury includes net zero carbon manager Tania Jennings, Max Fordham partner and director of sustainability Hero Bennett and associate professor at the London School of Architecture Ruth Lang.<\/p>\n

The winners will be announced at the AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards on Thursday 24 September at a new venue this year \u2013 the Grade II-listed Art Deco live events and music hall The Troxy in east London.<\/p>\n

The final shortlisted projects in other categories will be revealed tomorrow. You can find out more about the\u00a0AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Last week, the\u00a0AJ announced that keynote speeches from Grafton co-founder Shelley McNamara and OMA partner Reinier de Graaf<\/a>\u00a0will bookend the AJ\u2019s CircularBuild 2026 event, to be held on 16 September in central London.<\/p>\n

CircularBuild 2026,<\/a>\u00a0which will also include contributions from Mace, Landsec, and Great Portland Estates, will be held at Convene in the City of London.<\/p>\n

The event, now in its fifth year, is an evolution of the annual AJ Retrofit Live event, which was inspired by our\u00a0RetroFirst campaign<\/a>\u00a0for the reuse of existing buildings.<\/p>\n

Shortlists
\nFit-out
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National Science and Media Museum by AOC Architecture<\/p>\n

Source: Hufton + Crow<\/p>\n