Pembroke Mill Lane for Pembroke College, Cambridge, has been shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious award for architecture.
The shortlist follows an exceptional year for the project, which has already received a RIBA National Award and four RIBA East Awards, including Building of the Year, the Conservation Award and Project Architect of the Year.
Designed for Pembroke College, Pembroke Mill Lane represents the College's largest expansion since the 14th century. The project transforms a formerly fragmented city-centre site into a connected collegiate quarter, combining the sensitive adaptation of six historic buildings with six new buildings arranged around biodiverse gardens and courtyards.
The RIBA judges praised the project for "restoring historic architecture with a contemporary civic purpose", creating new teaching, living and cultural spaces that contribute "to the cultural, environmental, and social life of Cambridge", and showing "how heritage, contemporary academic needs and environmental responsibility can be aligned."
Professor Polly Blakesley, Master of Pembroke College, said: "The outcome is remarkable... from a confusion of disconnected, poorly used and at times near-empty buildings on a sorely neglected site has emerged a busy and beloved new hub for the College... The result is transformative for the College."
Haworth Tompkins said: "Being shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize is a tremendous honour and wonderful recognition of an extraordinary collaborative effort. Pembroke Mill Lane demonstrates how thoughtful conservation, contemporary architecture and ambitious sustainability can come together to create a place that supports academic life and opens the College more generously to the city. We are immensely grateful to Pembroke College, the entire consultant team and everyone involved in bringing the project to life."
Congratulations to Pembroke College, the entire design and construction team, and to all of this year's shortlisted teams on this well-deserved recognition. We are honoured to be in such outstanding company and look forward to celebrating the very best of British architecture at the Stirling Prize announcement in October.
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.
We are so pleased to see The Court Theatre continue to receive industry recognition, with multiple honours at Friday night's Property Council New Zealand Industry Awards, including the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Judges' Choice Award.
In the second of three NLA articles, Tom Gibson, Associate Director at Haworth Tompkins, reflects on the practice’s international mass timber projects and the lessons they offer for timber construction in the UK.
Last week, Haworth Tompkins received the Dewi-Prys Thomas Award for our work on Theatr Clwyd in Mold, North Wales. The award celebrates the role of design in improving quality of life and supporting regeneration across Wales.
The redevelopment of Pembroke Mill Lane, Cambridge, for Pembroke College has been recognised with four RIBA awards, including a 2026 RIBA East Award, Building of the Year, Project Architect and the Conservation Award.
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