The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is thrilled to announce the winners for this year’s AT Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievements in Architectural Technology from students and practitioners.
Presented by CIAT President Eddie Weir and hosted by Matt Allwright on 26 September 2025, the Awards were attended by both the cream of the crop and movers and shakers with promise from across the built environment sector.
The ceremony also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Institute, with the Awards proudly being part of CIAT's Diamond Celebration.
The 2025 winners are:
The Chartered Architectural Technologist of Year Award
Winner: Sam Lambert MCIAT
Sam Lambert has exemplified excellence in Architectural Technology through his unwavering passion and significant contributions to the profession. His career has been defined by innovation, leadership, and a steadfast dedication to advancing the discipline, leaving a meaningful impact on both the profession and the wider built environment. His efforts, both within P+HS Architects and through CIAT, have been both inspiring and transformative, as well as nothing short of exemplary, meriting recognition as Chartered Architectural Technologist of the Year.
Extract from Sam's citation – the full citation is available upon request.
The aspiration Award for Emerging Talent in AT 2024
Winner: Ryan Davies MCIAT
Ryan joined Rio Architects four years ago after graduating with a First-Class Honours degree in Architectural Technology from Cardiff Metropolitan University, where during his studies he demonstrated a high level of passion and technical ability, rightfully being awarded the CIAT Wales Outstanding Graduating Student Award. This early recognition set the tone for Ryan’s professional journey, where he continues to demonstrate the same drive, commitment and technical excellence in practice. Working well beyond his years, he is rapidly becoming a highly respected and influential Architectural Technologist.
Extract from Ryan's citation – the full citation is available upon request.
Small Project of the Year
Winner: Fortis House by ZED PODS Ltd.
A landmark net-zero modular project combining sustainability, social value, and digital innovation, Fortis House is technically advanced, socially conscious, and highly replicable. It delivers net-zero social housing on a flood-prone brownfield site, overcoming environmental and technical barriers through design-led MMC innovation. The scheme sets new standards in modular architecture, build quality, and community value, including prisoner rehabilitation and SME engagement. Its replicability affirms its relevance as a future-proof benchmark in sustainable development.
New Build of the Year
Winner: The Silk District Phase 2 by Brewer Smith Brewer Group
This submission showcases technical excellence through BSBG’s pioneering 4D Sequencing Initiative, which brought unmatched clarity to contractors and stakeholders. Despite unprecedented pandemic challenges, the team delivered high-quality documentation and used cutting-edge BIM processes to keep the project on track and on budget. The resulting standard has influenced Mount Anvil’s future tendering requirements, setting a new industry benchmark. The development’s successful reception by both client and residents reinforces its impact. Large-scale housing done with care and precision.
The Silk District Phase 2 also won the coveted Project of the Year 2025 Award, for the most deserving winner from our four Project Award categories.
Conversion of the Year
Winner: Sherwood Observatory Planetarium & Science Centre by Anotherkind Architects
A highly commendable and technical project. It delivers educational, environmental, and architectural value through innovative reuse, digital excellence, and thoughtful public engagement. Sherwood Observatory stands as a beacon of how architectural innovation can drive social transformation. By harnessing advanced construction technologies, the project elegantly fuses heritage with modernity to create a space that’s educational, inclusive, and environmentally forward-thinking. A worthy winner.
Retrofit of the Year
Winner: Ballymoney Library by McLean & Forte
A leading example of public sector retrofit done to the highest environmental and technical standards. Ballymoney Library is the UK’s first public building retrofitted to the EnerPHit standard, marking a milestone in sustainable civic architecture. Through rigorous Passivhaus design principles, the project achieved exceptional energy performance, comfort, and climate resilience. It now serves as a replicable model for environmentally responsible public sector transformation.
Project of the Year Award
Recognises the most deserving winner from these four Project Award winners
Winner: The Silk District Phase 2 by Brewer Smith Brewer Group
Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology | Project
Recognising outstanding design achievement in Architectural Technology based upon a University/College assignment
Winner: The Drop, Stratford by Kristin Gray, Middlesex University
A 100-metre mixed-use tower set within Stratford's rapidly evolving post-Olympic context, this proposal for The Drop responds to the interconnected challenges of density, sustainability, and inclusivity through a technology-led design approach. From concept through to design detail, the project captures an energy and vision that speaks to Kristen's talent and potential.
Highly Commended: Harbour Heights, Cardiff Bay by Lucy Warry ACIAT, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Commended: New Parish Center Glostrup by Rugile Matijosiute and Tanya Pederson, VIA Univeristy College - Aarhus C
Commended: The Abberton Arc by Ryan Williams, Anglia Ruskin University
Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology | Report
Recognising outstanding research achievement in Architectural Technology from a dissertation assignment.
Winner: Analysing the Application of Extremely Large Point Clouds (ELPCs) in Real Time Environments using Game Engines by Joel Woodward, University of Wolverhampton
Joel's report tackled highly relevant and contemporary topic, setting out clear aims, objectives and methodology from the outset. This is an engaging, forward-looking piece of research that demonstrated both rigour and creativity.
Highly Commended: Tackling Embodied Carbon within the Retrofit of Historic Structures by Jessica Hakes, Nottingham Trent University
Commended: Harnessing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) for Surface Water Management by Braydon O'Donnell, Nottingham Trent University
Gold Award
Recognises and celebrates the dedication and commitment of Chartered Architectural Technologists who have demonstrated a significant contribution or outstanding service to the Institute.
Recipient: Cornelius 'Niall' Gerard Healy MCIAT
Elected Chair in 2013 and Educational Officer beforehand, Niall Healy has been an integral part of the Greater London Regional Committee for many years, bringing an infectious energy and enthusiasm for AT.
Niall founded and each year leads the preparation of the Greater London Regional Student Awards, in which universities nominate students who have excelled during the second and third years of their studies. Over 250 students in 5 universities have now been involved in the awards over the years – what was a small idea has become an important yearly event in the Greater London Region calendar.
As an individual, his patient, empathetic nature – and not to mention his dancing – are greatly appreciated by all he meets.
Honorary Fellows
Recipient: Diane Dale
With over 30 years dedicated to promoting the profession as a key player within the built environment, Diane has helped reshape the sector, placing CIAT firmly at its heart. She has made a significant and lasting contribution to the discipline through her leadership, dedication and vision during her long-standing tenure as Head of Practice and Technical.
Recipient: Fergal Walsh
Fergal is an exceptional designer and Architectural Technologist who has, like Diane, dedicated over three decades of his career to advancing AT on a global scale.
Recipient: Alison Watson MBE
Alison is the drive and energy of Class of Your Own, an international award-winning organisation that seeks to bring together schools and the built environment industry. Her support for CIAT and ATs is second to none. Her work exemplifies the powerful intersection of education, innovation and industry, driving forward the future of construction and the development of talent for generations to come.
President's Medal
Recognises and celebrates an extraordinary distinction or exceptional contribution to Archiectural Technology and the profession. It is awarded once in every Presidential term (a maximum of one every two years) at the discretion of the President.
Recipient: Bob Kay MBE PPBIAT MCIAT
From CIAT President Eddie Weir: "There are many examples which could be used to demonstrate Bob’s achievements for Architectural Technology, the discipline and profession, both past and present, and activities he was involved in to ensure the profession is at the forefront within the sector. The consequences of Bob’s devoted efforts have resulted in that he has enhanced both the disciplines and CIAT’s presence and recognition throughout the United Kingdom and within the wider built environment sector. This has contributed in illustrating the high level of professionalism and recognition in which the membership currently receives from its peers and wider industry circles."
All the awards, finalists and winners are featured on the CIAT website. The Awards reopen on 26 January 2026.
