{"id":47507,"date":"2026-07-31T16:04:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T15:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=47507"},"modified":"2026-07-31T16:05:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T15:05:29","slug":"aj-retrofit-reuse-awards-2026-shortlist-conservation-and-historic-and-positive-addition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=47507","title":{"rendered":"AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards 2026 shortlist\u2026 \u2018Conservation and historic\u2019 and \u2018Positive addition\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

image for illustration: The Mill Stream, John O’Groats by Bill Henderson, CC BY-SA 2.0 <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Architects\u2019 Journal<\/u><\/em> (AJ<\/em>) has announced its second set of shortlists for this year\u2019s AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards: The \u2018Conservation and historic and Positive addition\u2019 categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The AJ<\/em> writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These awards celebrate architectural excellence in the renewal and repurposing of existing buildings. This year\u2019s 18 categories emphasise the reuse of existing structures and materials, and the lessons learnt. The second set of shortlisted categories to be announced are Conservation and historic (up to \u00a320 million); Conservation and historic (\u00a320 million and over); Positive addition (up to \u00a35 million); and Positive addition (\u00a35 million and over).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conservation and historic has again this year been divided into two value bands to reflect the breadth of this year\u2019s entries. The under \u00a320 million shortlist ranges from the restoration of civic landmarks to the careful repair of historic educational and religious buildings, with Hopkins Architects, Haverstock and Page\\Park Architects among those recognised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malcolm Fryer Architects\u2019 work on the SPAB Old House Project at St Andrew\u2019s Chapel joins McGregor Bowes\u2019 revival of John O\u2019Groats Mill and Ian Chalk Architects\u2019 refurbishment of Cambridge\u2019s Arts Theatre on the shortlist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the \u00a320 million and over category, major cultural and civic projects dominate. Selldorf Architects with Purcell\u2019s transformation of the National Gallery\u2019s Sainsbury Wing appears alongside Tim Ronalds Architects\u2019 restoration of Bradford Live and Donald Insall Associates\u2019 extensive works to Rochdale Town Hall. Elsewhere, Pilbrow & Partners and Bond Bryan\u2019s conversion of the former Granada cinema into Soho Theatre Walthamstow joins 6a architects\u2019 renewal of Skinners\u2019 Hall and Allford Hall Monaghan Morris\u2019 work at 76 Southbank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Positive addition, which celebrates contemporary interventions to existing buildings, has also been split into two cost categories\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formerly known as the AJ Retrofit Awards, the awards programme was renamed the AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards in 2024 to better reflect the expanding scope of retrofit practice, from adaptive reuse to decarbonisation and whole-life carbon reduction. More than 110 projects have been shortlisted across this year\u2019s awards. Each practice has presented its project to the judges in a virtual session comprising a five-minute presentation followed by up to 10 minutes of questions. The 28-strong jury includes net zero carbon manager Tania Jennings, Max Fordham partner and director of sustainability Hero Bennett and associate professor of the London School of Architecture Ruth Lang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winners will be announced at the AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards on Thursday 24 September at a new venue this year \u2013 the Grade II-listed Art Deco live events and music hall The Troxy in east London\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortlists<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conservation and historic (up to \u00a320 million)<\/p>\n\n\n\n