2026 Civic Trust Awards Ceremony

Posted on 27th March 2026

We were thrilled to see the continued international resonance of the Civic Trust Awards, evidenced by over 300 entries from across the USA, Ireland, Canada, India and South Korea, underscoring the programme’s growing international reach. Together, these projects showcase impressive ambition and diversity, all driven by a shared commitment to enhancing the built environment and the lives of those who engage with it.

Entries were evaluated through a rigorous, multi‑stage process to ensure fairness and depth. Regional Assessment Teams, bringing expertise in architecture, urban design, conservation, sustainability, access and inclusion, supported by local civic societies, reviewed each project for both design quality and community impact. 

Their recommendations were then considered by the National Judging Panel, who benchmarked submissions against peer schemes from this and previous years. Through detailed research and collective deliberation, the panel ensured that every award reflects holistic excellence and the highest professional standards. 63 were presented with Awards or were Highly Commended by the Civic Trust Awards, Pro-Tem Awards, AABC Conservation Awards and Selwyn Goldsmith Awards for Universal Design. 

The  Ceremony saw architects, council leaders and built environment professionals from all over the world come together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have contributed to our communities through their exceptional work in architecture, urban design, planning, public realm and public art.

Since 1959, the Civic Trust Awards have become an important platform to recognise the very best in the built environment. We are proud to be honouring this year's winners who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in their respective fields. Their work has not only enriched our physical environment but has also helped to create a better sense of place and identity for our communities.

6 highly coveted Special Awards were presented to schemes which have demonstrated truly outstanding work in a specific field. All projects of award-winning standard were considered for each of the Special Awards by National Judging Panel members and Sponsors who determined the individual winners.

The 2026 Outstanding Achievement Special Award sponsored by BlueLight Management, and chosen by National Judging Panel Members as the overall exemplary scheme from the year’s Award-winning projects went to Urban Nature Project by Feilden Fowles Architects with J&L Gibbons. 

Malcolm Hankey, Director of BlueLight Management and Executive Director of the Civic Trust Awards described the project as “Exemplifying the highest ambitions of the Civic Trust Awards. It combines design excellence, environmental responsibility and public benefit in a single, coherent vision. The project demonstrates the transformative power of ambitious, thoughtful design to create places of enduring cultural and ecological value.”

76 Southbank by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris for Wolfe Commercial Properties (Southbank) Ltd won the Special Award for Sustainability, which is sponsored by Derwent London and presented to an exemplar project, that demonstrates excellent sustainability credentials in terms of overall design parameters, material selection, construction methods and long-term energy consumption. 

Head of Sustainability for Derwent London John Davies said, “76 Southbank is a fantastic project, showcasing what thoughtful retention, intervention and imagination can achieve in terms of producing the next generation of London office space. It sets a powerful benchmark for low-carbon refurbishment and illustrates how existing buildings can play a vital role in addressing the climate challenge while enriching the urban environment.”

The Special Award for Reuse & Adaptation sponsored by EPR Architects and presented to an exceptional scheme that would otherwise be left to decay or be demolished to address present-day needs, went to the Edinburgh Futures Institute by Bennetts Associates for University of Edinburgh. 

EPR Design Director Pascal Wensink said “The new visible interventions introduce a clear axial connect to the four wings and the subterranean box provides the much-needed auditorium without compromising the historic composition. The result is not merely preservation but adaptive reuse that breathes new life into the building. The design team deserve the highest recognition for its holistic understanding of sustainability, encompassing environmental responsibility, cultural stewardship and social value. ”

A brand-new Special Award was presented on the evening - the Special Award for Neuro-Inclusive Places sponsored by Buro Happold. The award was presented by Ben Channon who is Director | Head of Inclusive Environments for Buro Happold and the inaugural winner was Horatio’s Garden Sheffield and East by Harris Bugg Studio for Horatio's Garden. This Special Award is presented to an outstanding project that has placed neurological differences at the heart of the design, resulting in a building or external environment that provides everyone with a place where they can flourish. 

Ben said “We were thrilled to present this year’s Special Award for Neuro-Inclusive Places to Horatio’s Garden Sheffield and East. This project stood out as an exceptional example of how spaces can holistically support neurodivergent users without compromising on design excellence and demonstrating beautifully how neuro-inclusion can integrate seamlessly with broader inclusivity principles. We were particularly impressed by the way the garden offers a serene and calming refuge within an urban environment, creating a truly restorative experience for its users.”

The Michael Middleton Special Award presented as a memorial and tribute to Michael Middleton CBE, who established the Civic Trust Awards in 1959, to an outstanding restoration project or new build within a conservation area went to Rochdale Town Hall by Donald Insall Associates & Gillespies for Rochdale Borough Council. 

It was described by judges as “A fitting tribute to Michael Middleton CBE, honouring his belief that the careful stewardship of historic buildings can enrich civic life and sustain cultural legacy. This exemplary project demonstrates how conservation excellence, allied to sensitive adaptation, can secure the future of complex historic civic buildings.”

The 2026 Special Award for Community Impact & Engagement was presented to Sunspot by HAT Projects for Tendring District Council, with Judges saying 

“Sunspot is an exemplary demonstration of how meaningful community engagement, allied to thoughtful and pragmatic design, can deliver lasting social and economic impact. The project responds with sensitivity and ambition to a place shaped by resilience, self-reliance and long-standing neglect. Rather than imposing an external vision, Sunspot emerged directly from listening to local people and understanding the structural challenges they face. As a visible, well-loved landmark rooted in local need, Sunspot stands as a powerful model of community-led regeneration and a wholly deserving recipient of the Special Award for Community Impact and Engagement.”

DOWNLOAD the 2026 Civic Trust Awards Commemorative Brochure to read about all of our incredible winning projects.