The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced an expansion of its special awards programme, introducing a new Conservation Award for 2026.
Judged nationally, the RIBA Conservation Award will celebrate historic buildings and places that have been creatively and sensitively restored to conserve them, manage change around them, enhance their sustainability or social accessibility.
This new award champions RIBA’s wider commitment to heritage conservation and sustainability, celebrating cultural continuity and the critical role architects play in adapting historic buildings to meet contemporary needs.
Eligible projects will be selected following the RIBA Regional Awards. In addition to enhancing an original building, structure or place, they must demonstrate at least one of the following:
- creative or innovative approaches to repair and conservation
- adaptive re-use which maintains and enhances the character of historic and existing buildings
- sensitive alterations or interventions to manage change within an existing building, structure or place.
Projects may also demonstrate an understanding of and give reference to the vernacular traditions and materials of their locality.
Chris Williamson, RIBA President, said:
“From MICA’s Hay Castle to Purcell’s Stirling Prize-shortlisted restoration of the Elizabeth Tower, each year the RIBA Awards highlight outstanding examples of conservation – and this wonderful new award will allow us to formally champion the critical specialism.
The role of a conservation architect is unique because it combines design skill with a sense of stewardship. It demands exceptional creativity to respect a building’s history while making it work for contemporary use, along with expertise to navigate some of the most complex regulations and stakeholder interests.
It requires careful judgement, balancing preservation with change, protecting a building’s past while ensuring its lasting impact for future generations – and it’s an area of practice we must uphold and celebrate.”
The UK RIBA Awards programme is open for entries until 11 December 2025. The shortlist for the Conservation Award will be drawn from eligible RIBA Regional Award winners, announced in May 2026, with the winner announced alongside the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize and Special Awards (Reinvention Award, Client of the Year, Neave Brown Award for Housing and Stephen Lawrence Prize).