The Stephen Lawrence Prize 2026 shortlist has been announced, demonstrating excellence in social impact, sustainability and environmental stewardship, adaptive reuse, and community-focused design.
Now in its 28th year, the annual award was established by Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE and Marco Goldschmied in 1998, in memory of Stephen Lawrence, a teenager and aspiring architect who was the victim of a fatal racially motivated attack in 1993.
Intended to encourage new talent and inspire others in the early stages of their architectural career, the award exclusively recognises projects led by an early career project architect. This is typically someone who has qualified within five years prior to the project’s completion date.
The six shortlisted projects are:
- Justin Bean for Notting Hill and Ealing High School Junior School, by Hawkins\Brown - A new, environmentally responsible school in West London characterised by a series of warm, calm and nurturing spaces beneath pitched timber roofs.
- Maija Viksne for Oru Sutton, by Samuel Chisholm Studio and Takero Shimazaki Architects - Conversion of a redundant department store into flexible, mixed-use commercial spaces in Sutton, South West London.
- Damian Jakubek for Park Lane Stables RDA, by Architecture WK Ltd - Sensitively reclaimed and adapted urban stables, transformed into new Riding for the Disabled Association facilities.
- Ben Stuart-Smith for The Apple House, by Okra - A multifunctional communal barn in the centre of a former neglected orchard in Hertfordshire, hosting a year-round community programme focused on horticulture and environmental stewardship.
- Claire Fear for The Buttermarket, by Architectural Thread - An old butter market in Redruth, Cornwall, transformed into a fully accessible, thriving community hub, bringing together food vendors, artists, small businesses and a diverse programme of community events.
- Nita Kidd for Walled Garden, Auckland Castle, by MawsonKerr Architect 0 A revived Grade II-listed Victorian walled garden at Auckland Castle, County Durham, transformed into a thriving hub for education and community wellbeing.
Matthew Goldschmied, Jury Chair and Managing Trustee, 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.”
Chris Williamson, RIBA President, said: “This year’s shortlist is a powerful reminder of the talent, creativity and innovation emerging within our profession. 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.
“Not only are these emerging architects shaping the future of our built environment, but they are already delivering projects of exceptional quality and social value."
The Stephen Lawrence Prize 2026 jury comprised:
- Matthew Goldschmied (Jury Chair), Chair of the Marco Goldschmied Foundation
- Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE
- Alex Spicer, Matthew Lloyd Architects
- Edem Torsutse, student juror, University of Greenwich
The Stephen Lawrence Prize 2026 shortlist is selected from winners of the RIBA UK Awards 2026. Project Architects - including their year of qualification - were identified at the point of entry.
The winner will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize on Thursday 15 October 2026 at Old Billingsgate in London.
