There are many architectural awards every year. The RIBA run the most thorough and best administered Awards yet others have greater publicity despite being less rigorous.
I know because I have judged some and occasionally won some. My own evaluation is based on past winners. If they include the world’s best architects then they are probably worth entering.
It wouldn’t be fair to say the RIBA Awards are the only awards worth winning but they are the most thorough.
I have recently spent four days along with four colleagues in a mini bus touring the South East to visit 16 buildings chairing the RIBA Regional Awards. Then another day writing the reports and presenting to the National Awards Group. I usually find that the shortlist is relatively easy to agree on but the final selection is hotly debated and causes a lot of discussion and inspection before agreement. What it has taught me is that the honour is to be shortlisted and less important to win, as there are so many variables in the final decisions.
The Stirling Prize celebrates the best in UK architecture and deserves a much higher profile internationally. Perhaps combining the awards presentation with an International Annual Conference could attract global attention.
Awards
The Inplan Award 1982 (main photo)
Cityscape Award for Dubai Metro Masterplan 2005
Civic Trust Award, Paddington Elizabeth Line Station 2023
Civic Trust Award, Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station 2023
Civic Trust Regional Finalist for ILKON 2024
WAF Awards Best Completed Building, Paddington Elizabeth Line Station 2022
Queen’s Award, Win for Exporting World-Class City Shaping Design 2019
WAN Awards, Future Transport Award 2019
NCE100 New Civil Engineer, Shortlisted Best Place to Work 2017
The Pineapples Winner, Reuse, Ilkeston Contemporary Arts 2023
World Design Awards, Ilkeston Contemporary Arts, Architect of the Year Awards 2022
APR Gold Award Winner Ilkon Contemporary Arts 2022
Archframe Architecture Design Awards, Winner 2022
Arch Design Award Winner 2023
Civic Trust Civic Trust Regional Finalist for ILKON 2024
APR Urban Design & Architecture Award Winner for Sustainable Architecture Jardin al Andalus 2024
World Design Awards, Sustainable Building Winner for Jardin al Andalus 2024
International Design Award, Winner for Jardin al Andalus 2024
Outstanding Property Award, Winner for Jardin al Andalus 2024
Muse Hotel Awards, New Concept in Sustainable Tourism for Jardin al Andalus 2023
