Tonkin Lui’s multi-storey carpark in Sunderland and MawsonKerr’s Auckland Castle walled garden among 11 shortlisted schemes
RIBA has shortlisted 11 projects for its 2026 North East Awards with this year’s list featuring two schemes by Hexham-based practice Elliott Architects.
A multi-storey car park in Sunderland by Tonkin Liu and a walled garden at Auckland Castle by MawsonKerr have also made the shortlist for the award recognising the region’s best new buildings.
Elliott Architects’ shortlisted schemes are the firm’s own office in Hexham and a contemporary private home. Other shortlisted projects include GT3 Architects’ Morpeth Leisure Centre and a new building for the national railway museum by AOC Architecture.
RIBA North East jury chair, Andrew Thompson, associate at Faulkner Browns, said the 2026 shortlist “captures the richness and ambition of architectural practice in the region”.
He added: “This year’s projects range from finely crafted homes in picturesque landscapes, sensitive restoration of industrial heritage, and a playful creativity applied to seemingly ‘everyday’ typologies.
“A deep sense of commitment to care, craft and quality runs throughout the shortlist. Great architecture should delight, challenge expectations and carry a deep sense of responsibility to client, community and climate. The Jury looks forward to visiting each project across the region and assessing them against this high standard.”
All projects shortlisted for RIBA Awards will be visited by a regional jury with the winning projects to be announced later this spring.
The winners will then be considered for several RIBA North East Special Awards, including the RIBA North East Sustainability Award and RIBA North East Building of the Year, before being considered for a RIBA National Award, which will be announced this summer.
The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects and announced in September. The Stirling Prize winner will be announced in October.
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