Croydon homes named among London's most well designed new buildings

LONDON'S most beautifully designed buildings have been named in a prestigious architectural awards. Nearly 40 buildings across the city were declared winners at the Royal Institute of British Architect's London Awards for 2025 and among them was a project in Croydon.

- By KATHERINE GRAY [e-mail] @MyLdn

Tower Hamlet's Town Hall, in Whitechapel, was named 'London Building of the Year' for 2025. The reinvented former Royal London Hospital was praised as a “tour de force of reinvention, combining a sensitivity to the existing building's story with a sharpness of contemporary detailing.” They praised the approach as both “sensitive and brave, creating a modern, civic home for council administration, local services and democracy.”

A panel of expert judges visited all 38 of the shortlisted buildings before casting their expert opinions. Other projects who won at the awards include Idlewild Mews in Croydon, the restoration of Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, and the V&A Photography Centre.

RIBA Regional Director of London, John Nahar, said: “Congratulations to all our RIBA London Award winners. Spanning every corner of the capital, this year’s selection is a breath-taking display of variety, creativity, and purpose.

“These projects tackle some of the most pressing challenges we face today - from affordable housing and social isolation to the environment and the need for retrofit and reuse. It’s inspiring to see such a wide range of innovative and considered projects - a testament to the strength and ingenuity of architects in the region.”