Haworth Tompkins named Public Building Architect of the Year at the 2026 Building Design Architect of the Year Awards for our work on Theatr Clwyd, Backstage at The Old Vic and The Court Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, designed in collaboration with Athfield Architects. The award recognises a body of work rather than a single project, reflecting our expertise in cultural and civic architecture and our commitment to the communities these buildings serve.
Our submission brought together three projects that respond sensitively to different communities, institutions and environments. Despite their distinct challenges, all share a commitment to design excellence, supporting wellbeing, exemplary sustainability and inclusivity. At Theatr Clwyd, the transformation of Wales’ largest producing theatre creates inclusive spaces for performance, learning and wellbeing, while reducing whole-life carbon. Backstage at The Old Vic revitalises a Grade II* listed theatre with a new extension, making it more vibrant, accessible and widely used. The Court Theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand, designed in collaboration restores a key cultural institution, supporting the city’s post-earthquake regeneration.
Across different scales and geographies, these projects demonstrate how sustainable, resilient and accessible architecture can strengthen communities through meaningful civic spaces. The judges praised the practice for delivering “pure joy and beauty”, describing Backstage at The Old Vic as “a total standout for the community”. Thank you to our visionary clients, collaborators and everyone across the studio whose commitment and expertise have made these projects possible.
Planning permission has been granted for the first phase of York Central, delivering 1014 homes, commercial space, extensive public realm and parkland, as well as a brand-new entrance to the west of York railway station.
Five Haworth Tompkins projects have secured six shortlist places across the 2026 AJ Architecture Awards and NLA Awards. The recognition reflects the breadth of our expertise across culture, housing, regeneration and masterplanning - from the sensitive transformation of listed cultural buildings to major residential developments and urban masterplans.
Planning permission has been secured for the first phase of the transformation of St Botolph's Quarter in central Colchester, marking an important milestone in the city's long-term regeneration.
Pembroke Mill Lane for Pembroke College, Cambridge, has been shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious award for architecture.
Wonderful to see the new performance spaces at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) alive with performance, rehearsal and teaching.
Pembroke Mill Lane, Cambridge has received a RIBA National Award.
Haworth Tompkins has been shortlisted in two categories at this year's Building Design Architect of the Year Awards.
| 25.03.26 | Mass Timber Design Innovations: from fire strategy to carbon reduction, the challenges and opportunities of designing with timber. → |
| 30.10.25 | Construction Reaches Topping Off Milestone for the New Home of the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University → |
| 28.07.25 | Haworth Tompkins reveals plans for the redevelopment of Grade I listed De La Warr Pavilion → |
| 13.05.25 | Haworth Tompkins to lead design of affordable housing in £2.5 Billion York Central Regeneration → |