Four London buildings are on the shortlist for the 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize. You may have heard of at least one of them.
Among them is the tower commonly called Big Ben, more properly the Elizabeth Tower. The world-famous icon was completed in 1859, and would normally be considered a bit old for a modern architecture prize. However, the nomination is for the tower's recent restoration by Purcell.
The Stirling Prize is awarded annually to a British project that exemplifies excellent architecture. It is considered the highest accolade in UK architecture and is named after the architect James Stirling.
This year's shortlist contains three other London buildings. Many readers will also be familiar with the London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison. The bulky building in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was the first of the new cultural centres on the East Bank to open. It contains public areas including a cafe and gallery, and its sweeping concrete staircases have become a TikTok favourite.
Less well known is the Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects, in Bermondsey. The block contains social housing for over-65s and has been touted as a modern-day take on traditional almshouses.
Finally in London we have the Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki Architects. This Japanese-inspired private home in Southwark was thus commended by the nominating committee: "Large full-height sliding doors and full-height glazed walls seamlessly blend indoors and out – opening spaces to gardens, courtyards and balconies. It is difficult to see where the building ends and the gardens begin."
Besides the four London buildings, the shortlist also includes AstraZeneca's Discovery Centre, a squashed doughnut housing research labs on the outskirts of Cambridge. Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects in, naturally enough, Hastings, also gets the nod.
The inclusion of 'Big Ben' in the line-up is, however, the big headline-grabber. The massive project to restore the tower took five years and cost £80m, significantly over the original budget. As well as numerous structural and cosmetic repairs, the tower also gained a lift shaft, making the bell chamber accessible to wheelchair users. And, of course, the dial faces were painted a striking blue colour, restoring the clock to its original Victorian splendour. The timing's a bit odd, mind; work on the tower finished three years ago. The Prize often waits a few years to see how projects bed in.
London has seen consistent success in the Stirling Prize. Last year's winner was the (entire) Elizabeth line, the much-delayed if eventually successful east-west rail link. Previous winners include part of Morden College, Blackheath (2023), Kingston University's Town House (2021) and the Bloomberg Building (2018). The Gherkin, Lord's Media Centre and Peckham Library have also bagged the prize.
The RIBA Stirling Prize winner will be announced on 16 October 2025.
