14 October 2026 | JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel
Categories
Special Award
Sir John Armitt Prize
Endorsed by Sir John Armitt, this prize is awarded to projects that successfully exceed their objectives, deliver a satisfied client and create meaningful benefits for end-users and broader stakeholders. Exemplifying the very best of what the industry is capable of, winners will represent excellence across multiple aspects of the project and will stand as an example of what projects can aspire to achieve.
Best Projects - Buildings
Commercial Property Project Award
This category recognises outstanding new commercial and mixed used buildings where the primary function/focus is on providing high quality lettable space.
Cultural & Leisure Project Award
This category recognises the value of exceptional buildings and facilities in enhancing communities and contributing to their health and wellbeing, whether it is a leisure centre, museum, gallery, library or religion-based development.
Housing & Residential Project Award
This category recognises the most exceptional buildings in meeting Britain’s housing needs whether it is a small residential development, major new community development, student accommodation or later living. The category is open to all projects where housing/accommodation provision is the primary purpose. The entire project does not have to be completed but the phase of work that the entry centres on must be complete.
Retrofit & Reuse Project Award
The best examples of retrofitting across all sectors, where those involved have given new or improved life to buildings and infrastructure. Great retrofitting can enhance long term outcomes, create a new or renewed purposes and deliver economic, social and environmental dividends from retrofitting rather than rebuilding.
Social Infrastructure Project Award
The best projects spanning schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, research facilities, law courts, prisons and other civic buildings that contribute towards improved social service provision in the UK.
Best Projects - Infrastructure
Energy Project Award
This category celebrates outstanding projects that are shaping the future of the UK’s energy landscape through innovation, sustainability and excellence in design and delivery. Judges will look for projects that demonstrate forward-thinking design, effective use of emerging technologies and practices, and meaningful contributions to decarbonisation and energy resilience.
Entries should clearly evidence measurable environmental benefits, responsible risk management, and strong collaboration with stakeholders, communities and regulators. Successful submissions will show how the project overcame delivery challenges, met performance targets and set a benchmark for future energy infrastructure—ultimately contributing to a cleaner, more secure, and more efficient energy system for the UK.
Environmental Project Award
The best projects delivering environmental improvements for local communities and regions by mitigating the impact of extreme weather and climate change – along with other environmental hazards - on people, properties and business.
Placemaking Project Award
This category recognises the best placemaking projects that have transformed public spaces or urban environments to enhance the quality of life for communities. Judges will look for projects that demonstrate thoughtful design, sustainability, and a strong sense of place, contributing to social, economic, and environmental well-being. Entries should highlight how the project has fostered community engagement, improved accessibility, and created vibrant, enduring spaces that support diverse uses and activities.
Transport Project Award
This category recognises the best transport projects enhancing capacity, providing better connectivity or helping to improve reliability of local, regional or national transport services.
Upgrade & Renewal Project Award
This category recognises the best maintenance and renewal projects in any sector that may be standalone, one-off projects or form part of an ongoing operations or maintenance programme.
Water Project Award
This category recognises outstanding projects within the water sector that are driving improvements in the resilience, quality, and sustainability of the UK’s water and wastewater facilities. Judges will look for projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to managing water resources, enhancing service reliability, and delivering tangible benefits for communities and the environment.
Best Projects - Building & Infrastructure
International Project Award
This category recognises the best projects successfully delivered outside the UK, showcasing exceptional innovation, collaboration, and impact on a global scale. Judges will look for projects that demonstrate cultural sensitivity, effective cross-border teamwork, and a tangible positive influence on the local or regional community. Entries should highlight how the project overcame international challenges, delivered exceptional results, and contributed to the global goals of sustainability, development, and progress.
Biggest Impact
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Impact Award
This category seeks to recognise project teams that understand the importance of creating a safe and healthy working environment and strive to improve wellbeing of those delivering the work. Judges will be particularly keen to see examples of initiatives that tackle mental health. Judges will be looking for project teams that have:
- Demonstrated a clear understanding of how this initiative could improve health, safety and wellbeing performance on this project
- Actively rolled out the initiative, developed or tailored specifically for this project during the design or delivery phase
- Clear evidence of the impact of this initiative
- Demonstrated how their initiative is cutting edge and is leading the field in this area
- The potential to showcase the UK construction industry through this initiative
The project/s this initiative is being deployed on does not have to be complete; what is required is evidence that the project is tackling the specific initiative in a new and innovative way and that its positive impact can be measured or quantified.
Digital Impact Award
This category recognises the best examples of driving the use of smart technologies in construction to improve design, delivery or safety.
Digital solutions used in the right way have the potential to improve project efficiency at every stage and to allow engineers to focus their skills on the more technical challenging aspects of scheme. However, understanding why a solution is adopted over another, benchmarking its use to demonstrate success and look for continued improvements is critical to ensure technology allows engineers to work smarter. Judges will look for project teams that have:
- Demonstrated a clear understanding of how this initiative could improve design or delivery of this project
- Actively rolled out the initiative, developed or tailored specifically for this project during the design or delivery phase
- Clear evidence of the impact of this initiative compared to previous practices, particularly if the initiative delivers carbon reduction or improved climate resilience
- Demonstrated how their initiative is cutting edge and is leading the field in this area
- The potential to showcase the UK construction industry through this initiative
The project/s this initiative is being used on does not have to be complete; what is required is evidence that the project is tackling the specific initiative in a new and innovative way and that its positive impact can be measured or quantified.
Net Zero Carbon Impact Award
This category will recognise the best examples of leading the field with reducing embodied carbon through the design, or construction of new infrastructure or buildings to support the government’s target to be carbon net zero by 2050. The initiative could be an alternative design, use of new materials or innovative equipment to reduce energy consumption during the project. Judges will be looking for:
- Demonstration of how the solution presents a reduction in embodied carbon compared to the conventional approach. Recognition of the impact of the design on reducing operational carbon should also be demonstrated where possible.
- Impact of the work to improve climate resilience of the work should also be demonstrated
- Highlighted any innovations in design or execution, including any research strategy that led to the development carbon reducing solution.
- Clear evidence of the qualitative and quantitative impact of this initiative
- Demonstrate how the initiative is cutting edge and is leading the field in this area
- The potential to showcase the UK construction industry through this initiative
The project does not have to be complete; what is required is evidence that the lower or zero carbon resulting from the new approach can be measured or quantified.
Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award
This award seeks to recognise project teams that have introduced a specific project-based initiative targeting a lower carbon solution, specifically boosting the whole life sustainability of the project or is improving environmental sensitivity. Judges will look for project teams that have:
- Demonstrated a clear understanding of how this initiative could improve environmental or sustainability performance on this project
- Demonstrate how the work will add climate resilience or deliver carbon reduction (embodied or operational) to the completed project
- Actively rolled out the initiative, developed or tailored specifically for this project during the design or delivery phase
- Clear evidence of the impact of this initiative
- Demonstrated how their initiative is cutting edge and is leading the field in this area
- The potential to showcase the UK construction industry through this initiative
The project/s this initiative is being applied on does not have to be complete; what is required is evidence that the project is tackling the specific initiative in a new and innovative way and that its positive impact can be measured or quantified.
Social Value & Community Impact Award
This category recognises the best examples of generating social value and community impact - improving the lives and prospects of the communities that live close to the project area.
We will be looking for project teams that can demonstrate an understanding and recognition of the importance of working with local communities and of the social impact their work can generate. These teams will have gone the extra mile to have not just sought to mitigate the impact of construction but to provide true outreach and social impact. Judges will look for project teams that have:
- Demonstrated a clear understanding of the community’s needs and how these could be supported
- Delivered real social value as a result of the project to improve the quality of life of those living close to the project
- Actively rolled out an initiative developed specifically for this community
- Clear evidence of the impact of this initiative
- Demonstrated how their initiative is cutting edge and is leading the field in this area
- The potential to showcase the UK construction industry through this initiative
The project/s this initiative is being applied on does not need to be complete; what is required is evidence that the project is tackling the specific initiative in a new and innovative way and that its positive impact can be measured or quantified.
Innovation Impact Award
This category recognises an innovation in products for design or construction that are deployed on specific projects and that are boosting overall project outcomes. Judges will look for project teams that have:
- Demonstrated a clear understanding of the project outcomes and saw how this innovation could improve design or delivery of this project
- Actively rolled out the initiative, developed or tailored specifically for this project during the design or delivery phase
- Clear evidence of the impact of this initiative, particularly if the innovation delivers carbon reduction or improved climate resilience
- Demonstrated how their initiative is cutting edge and is leading the field in this area
- The potential to showcase the UK construction industry through this initiative
Innovations developed or manufactured in the UK by overseas companies are permitted, as are products researched and developed in the UK, but manufactured overseas.
The projects this innovation is being used on does not have to be complete.
Design & Delivery
Architectural Design Excellence Award
This category recognises the best examples of pushing the boundaries of architectural innovation, combining creativity with practical functionality to enhance the built environment.
Construction Excellence Award
This category recognises the best examples of main contractors pushing the boundaries of great delivery through exceptional skill, innovation, and dedication in delivering high-quality construction projects.
Engineering Excellence Award
This category recognises the best examples of pushing the boundaries of engineering design and delivery, demonstrating outstanding innovation, precision, and problem-solving in delivering exceptional project outcomes.
Project Team Excellence Award
This category recognises the best examples of exceptional collaboration, leadership, and commitment to delivering outstanding results.
Non-enterable category
Small Project of the Year
The best small project, to the final out-turn cost of £15M or less. All projects shortlisted in their category are eligible for this award, which will be judged by lead judges from each category represented on the shortlist.