In a series celebrating the Building Awards finalists, we look at the Architectural Practice of the Year shortlist
Earlier this year Building announced the names of all the firms that made it onto the shortlists for our prestigious annual Building Awards.
Now we are shining the spotlight on each category in turn and publishing a selection of the images that impressed the judges.
Today’s shortlist is for Architectural Practice of the Year.
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
This year Allford Hall Monaghan Morris has achieved a number of key project completions. These have included Urbanest Battersea – the practice’s first Passivhaus building, as well as Assembly in Bristol and the Temple Quarter Research Hub.
The practice continued to win major awards, including RIBA London Building of the Year, and led on sustainability through its building performance team and second annual carbon report – pioneering the publication of upfront project carbon data. AHMM also contributed to research on fit-out waste and smart buildings, supported decarbonisation of heritage assets, and engaged in pro bono and charitable work.
Its commitment to people development included level 7 apprenticeships, line manager training, wellbeing initiatives, and new policies on women’s health and neurodiversity. The practice maintains strong client relationships, conducts post-occupancy reviews and is CHAS and ISO 45001 certified. This year AHMM has donated £126,742 and volunteered 1,705 hours across 90 causes.
DB3 Group
With more than 140 years’ experience, DB3 Group has weathered economic shifts, evolving client demands, rapid regulatory change and growing sustainability pressures. This has reinforced the importance of adaptability and proactivity in times of uncertainty.
This year the practice has introduced several services and impactful internal processes, including a dedicated higher-risk building service team, a disaster recovery readiness framework, a company-wide capability review and a client experience journey map.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate DB3 Group’s commitment to resilience, service quality and lasting value, ensuring the practice remains a trusted partner for its clients.
The practice believes in growing its own talent – for example, in the past year it has promoted seven employees, reflecting its commitment to internal development. This approach ensures that everyone, at every stage of their journey, has the tools, support and opportunities to grow.
Join us for the 2025 edition of the Building Awards
This year’s event will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 4 November.
There are 22 awards being handed out, so make sure you are in the room for construction’s night of nights and to celebrate excellence.
Tickets are selling fast, so secure your place today.
LOM architecture and design
LOM is a Shoreditch-based architecture and interior design practice working across multiple sectors in the UK and internationally. In one of its strongest years to date, the practice secured major new commissions, including a £150m mixed-use scheme in Malta, and completed Santander’s new global HQ in London.
It has advanced its low carbon retrofit work, securing planning approval for projects in Glasgow and Milton Keynes, and delivered its first fully timber-framed, zero-carbon building. Now certified as a Carbon Neutral Plus organisation, it surpassed its science-based carbon target five years early.
The practice has strengthened systems, upgraded staff benefits, invested in training and enhanced wellbeing. It continues to support inclusion, apprenticeships and access to architecture through programmes like Open City’s Accelerate. With repeat clients such as Microsoft, Santander and BP, and a strong track record in retrofit, LOM combines creative agility with long-term value and environmental leadership.
Pollard Thomas Edwards
Pollard Thomas Edwards continues to shape housing-led regeneration through design quality, technical rigour and partnership working. Highlights this year include Walter Tull House, a major council housing scheme; consent for a 29-storey tower in Stratford; and the UK’s largest Passivhaus project in Park Royal.
The practice won its fourth RIBA award in three years, as well as a host of other accolades.
Pollard Thomas Edwards supports clients across the project lifecycle, informed by tools such as the Happy Homes Toolkit and hands-on policy engagement.
The firm is committed to net zero by 2030, halving its footprint already, and embedding sustainability through MMC, practical guides on topics such as deck access, water efficiency and shading, and trialling low carbon solutions supported by post-occupancy evaluation.
Its Working Detail newsletter and technical guides influence practice across the sector. Staff development is central, with themed learning days, personalised CPD and mentoring. Health, safety and inclusive practice underpin the practice’s socially responsible, research-led architecture.
Ryder Architecture
In May 2025 Ryder became an employee ownership trust, securing its future while preserving its strong culture and commitment to people.
Amid economic uncertainty, the practice has diversified into new sectors including defence, hospitality and sport, now accounting for 8% of turnover.
Its global consultancy, Okana, has expanded with services in data, digital and safety. Ryder is targeting net zero design on all office projects by 2030 and continues to cut operational carbon. Liverpool Green Lanes, developed with Okana, was selected for the WHO’s global report on urban health.
The practice champions inclusive education nd development through PlanBEE, DEC schools and the MELVA mental health programme.
It remains a leader on building safety, supporting clients with guidance and implementation, while client feedback, face-to-face and survey-based, informs continuous improvement.
Ryder also supports grassroots projects, including the refurbishment of Fallowlees Farm to benefit women and girls in Northumberland.
No comments yet