The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has announced the final contenders in each project category of the all new RSUA Architecture Awards.
This year, for the first time, the Awards process has been open to projects in all nine counties of Ulster, rather than just the six counties in Northern Ireland. Following a fundamental review by RSUA in 2025, the guiding principle of the new Architecture Awards is that architects in all parts of Ulster are doing something that’s worth celebrating.
45 of the 61 projects entered have made the shortlist. The shortlisted projects in each category are below.
ISME New Headquarters
Location: Carrickfergus
Architect: KnoxClayton Architects
The Keep*
Location: Belfast
Architect: Like Architects
The ii (Innishowen Innovation)
Location: Donegal
Architect: MacGabhann Architects
Ballymoney Library Retrofit
Location: Ballymoney
Architects: McLean & Forte Architects
Custom House
Location: Belfast
Architects: TODD Architects
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service – Learning and Development College
Location: Cookstown
Architect: Kennedy FitzGerald Architects and Arcadis
Black Mountain Shared Space
Location: Belfast
Architect: McAdam Design Ltd
Shankill Shared Women’s Centre
Location: Belfast
Architect: TODD Architects
The Marcus
Location: Portrush
Architect: Consarc Design
McConnell’s Distillery at Crumlin Road Gaol
Location: Belfast
Architect: Like Architects
1774 Pavilion*
Location: Lisburn
Architect: Studio idir
Queen’s Quay Kiosk*
Location: Belfast
Architect: MMAS Architects / OGU Architects
Ardnashee School & College – Northland Road Academy
Location: Derry / Londonderry
Architect: Samuel Stevenson & Sons
Down High School
Location: Downpatrick
Architect: McAdam Design Ltd
Monaghan Peace Campus
Location: Monaghan
Architect: Hall Black Douglas
NRC Causeway Campus
Location: Coleraine
Architect: McAdam Design Ltd
Belfast Grand Central Station
Location: Belfast
Architect: RPP Architects Ltd / Concept Architects – John McAslan & Partners
The Residences at King’s Hall
Location: Belfast
Architect: TODD Architects
The Savoy*
Location: Bangor
Architect: McGarry Moon Architects
Ross Street Mews
Location: Belfast
Architect: Studiorogers Architects
Sunningdale Gardens MMC Passivhaus Pilot
Location: Belfast
Architect: Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Malone Deco Extension
Location: Belfast
Architect: Marshall McCann Architects
Sam’s Cottage
Location: Ballymena
Architect: Patrick Bradley Architect
Marlborough Park South
Location: Belfast
Architect: Micah T. Jones Architect
The Turnaround House
Location: Belfast
Architect: John Reid & Lynda Crawford
King’s Road House
Location: Belfast
Architect: Nest Architects
Ar fiar
Location: Newcastle
Architect: INIS Architects
Downshire Road
Location: Belfast
Architect: Micah T. Jones Architect
FEA House*
Location: Hillsborough
Architect: Marshall McCann Architects
Tollymore*
Location: Newcastle
Architect: McGonigle McGrath
Sámhnas
Location: Portsalon
Architect: MacGabhann Architects
Cashel House
Location: Creeslough
Architect: MacGabhann Architects
Contemporary House on the River
Location: Enniskillen
Architect: Des Ewing Architects
Park Avenue
Location: Holywood
Architect: Micah T. Jones Architect
MATSU House
Location: Lisburn
Architect: Marshall McCann Architects
Long House
Location: Belfast
Architect: Marcin Piotrowicz Architect
Mountjoy House
Location: Stewartstown
Architect: Nest Architects
Seer Green
Location: Beaconsfield
Architect: Des Ewing Architects
On the Bay
Location: Galway
Architect: Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects
Meadow of Eve
Location: Dublin
Architect: Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects
Sliabh Go Farraige
Location: Co. Sligo
Architect: Bruen Architects
City Square House
Location: Leeds
Architect: TODD Architects
House on a Victorian Square
Location: Dublin
Architect: Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects
Canalside – Sheerwater Regeneration Masterplan
Location: Woking
Architect: White Ink Architects
Canada Water, Plot K
Location: London
Architect: White Ink Architects
Six projects were also entered into the running for a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Northern Ireland Award. All six of these projects have been shortlisted. This is the first step towards winning a UK-wide RIBA Award. (*The six projects are marked with an asterisk above.)
Ciarán Fox, Director of RSUA, commented “We’ve had a fantastic response from architects all across Ulster to the new approach for this year’s Awards. It gives the public a much better insight into the wide variety of work being undertaken by architects and the different ways that architecture enriches our lives.”
“The new Ireland and Great Britain category provides a glimpse at the excellent projects being delivered by Ulster architects across these islands. On current evidence, this category is set to continue to grow over the next few years as our local architects are increasingly winning projects away from home.”
“All 45 shortlisted projects will be in the running for a Public Choice Award this year and an Architects Choice Award. It’s all part of the plan to make our architecture something that everyone can engage in, debate and celebrate.”
Each project will now be visited by at least two members of the Round 2 Judging Panel. This round will lead to the winners being unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday 14 May 2026, held in one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic buildings, the Ulster Hall, designed by W.J. Barre.
There were also 13 entries for the awards in the People and Practice section. The winners of these categories will also be announced at the ceremony.
The RSUA Architecture Awards 2026 are kindly sponsored by:
