The institute confirmed it had appointed the heritage specialist, ranked 10th in last year’s AJ100 league table, to deliver the RIBA Stage 4 design on the project to overhaul its 66 Portland Place base. In February, Benedetti Architects finally submitted its revamp plans for the Grade II*-listed, 91-year-old, George Grey Wornum-designed building to Westminster City Council, three years after winning the original competition. The RIBA said the 10-strong Clerkenwell-based practice would remain as design guardians on the project, which could take up to three years to complete.Advertisement Benedetti was selected for the job in 2022 following an RIBA-run competition. Also shortlisted were David Kohn Architects, Belfast-based Hall McKnight, Roz Barr Architects, a collaboration between Freehaus with Donald Insall Associates, IDKHugh Broughton Architects, and a joint bid between Feix&Merlin with Haptic Architects & Heritage Architecture. News of Purcell's appointment comes as RIBA resumes its search for a temporary home. Earlier this week, it emerged that a proposed move to the nearby Royal College of Physicians offices had collapsed. But despite this setback and the fact Benedetti Architects' plans have not yet been approved, the institute still plans to shut its café and bookshop at the end of this month and close its doors to all staff by 29 August. The building is set to reopen in 2028 following its full refurbishment – a project that aims to improve the 1930s building’s accessibility. Speaking about the decision to bring Purcell on to the team, RIBA chair of board Jack Pringle said: ‘At the competition stage, RIBA was pleased to open the project to all architectural practices, including SMEs, to maximise the creative talent pool available to the institute. ‘We were delighted to appoint Benedetti Architects to that role, fresh from their triumph at BAFTA. Now, for Stage 4, we are pleased to retain Benedetti as our design guardian and to bring in the powerful team of Purcell with their in-depth knowledge of the renovation of historic buildings – not least the Palace of Westminster, the National Gallery in collaboration with Selldorf Architects, and Auckland Castle where they collaborated with Niall McLaughlin Architects.’Advertisement According to its last accounts for the year ending April 2024, Purcell had a turnover of £26.4 million and a workforce of nearly 290 staff. The submitted Benedetti scheme includes replacing the revolving glass door on the main entrance with a more accessible entrance for blind visitors, as well as less steep wheelchair ramps and new steps. A separate entrance on Weymouth Street will be introduced for a new café – replacing the current bookshop – with pavement seating to encourage public use of the building.  The bookshop will relocate to be more ‘public-facing’ towards Portland Place on the north-west corner of the ground floor. The main exhibition space will move upstairs, with the existing ground-floor gallery untouched. Source:Benedetti/RIBA The introduction of larger lifts aims to provide universal access to all of the building’s 28 levels, many of which can only currently be reached by stairs. A ‘generously sized’ entrance to the library, matching original Wornum features inside the building, will further increase accessibility.  The refurbishment also addresses inefficiencies in the plumbing and electrical systems, removing fossil-fuel-dependent systems to meet the RIBA and Westminster City Council's climate targets. Heritage single-glazed windows will be largely retained, with secondary glazing introduced elsewhere. Other aspects include restoring the Jarvis Foyer, a 400-seat hospitality space, and more display space for architectural models and drawings. Meanwhile, banners originally proposed for the entrance have been dropped on the advice of Westminster Council following a consultation last summer.  66 Portland Place was built in 1934 and has had piecemeal upgrades throughout its history, most recently in 2019 with the addition of a Hayhurst & Co-designed learning centre and a Carmody Groarke-designed gallery. The RIBA has previously said it would look to fundraising and sponsorship to pay for the House of Architecture and that ‘the funding strategy [was] not linked to member fees’. Meanwhile, the institute, having failed to secure temporary office space at the Royal College of Physicians in St Andrew’s Place, Regent’s Park, said it was now ‘exploring contingency plans to ensure suitable working arrangements for staff'. Source:Benedetti/RIBA Benedetti’s submitted RIBA House of Architecture refurbishment (February 2025)

Author and designer Ingrid Fetell Lee is no stranger to mood-boosting interiors. In 2009, she founded her lifestyle blog, The Aesthetics of Joy, to shed light on the relationship between our environment and our emotions, and to share ideas and inspiration for living a more joyful life through design. That endeavor led to a book on the same subject, as well as a popular TED Talk. (It's worth a watch!) Most recently, Ingrid teamed up with boutique wallpaper brand Hygge & West on a wallpaper collection that is sure to infuse any space with a more cheerful point of view. (Our personal favorites include the tomato-embellished heirloom print, the picnic stripe, as well as the graphic green-and-blue parasol motif.)In honor of Ingrid's newest endeavor, we asked the designer to share a few of her favorite ways to happy up a home. Wallpaper Your ClosetMichael PartenioA closet-turned-home office features a unexpected hit of wallcovering."A splash of wallpaper inside a closet turns an everyday moment—grabbing a coat or putting away laundry—into a small delight," says Ingrid. "Our brains are wired to notice novelty, and when something is partially hidden, like a bold pattern behind a door, it gives us the chance to rediscover it again and again." Ingrid suggests that you can create similar moments of delight by painting the inside of a cabinet a vibrant hue, adding a whimsical hook to your bathroom, or lining drawers with a cheerful print. "These elements of surprise break the monotony, keeping your environment feeling fresh," she says.Add Some CurvesMatthew KisidayA round mirror—and pretty floral wallcovering—in a powder room designed by Kendall Rabun Interiors. "Round forms—circles, spheres, arches—are more than a design preference. They’re tied to our emotional response system," says Ingrid. "Neuroscientific studies have shown that sharp angles can activate the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear and anxiety, while curved forms set us at ease." To soften your space, Ingrid suggests trying a circular mirror, a round coffee table, or patterns with curved shapes. "These soft forms subtly signal playfulness, making a room feel more relaxed and joyful," she says.Paint Your Door Edges (Or Stair Risers)Annie SchlechterIn the home of Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, a painted stairwell brings playful energy to a more formal foyer You don’t need a lot of color to make a big impact in your space. "Just a small hit of a bright, saturated hue—like painting the edge of a door in coral or lemon yellow—can instantly lift the mood of a room," says Ingrid. "Color affects us in powerful, often subconscious ways. Research shows that people working in more colorful environments feel more alert, confident, and joyful than those in dull, neutral spaces." Ingrid also notes that the brighter the color, the less you need. "Start small by adding it in unexpected places: the back of a bookshelf, the trim of a window, or a stair riser," she says.Bring the Outside InDavid HillegasIn a Lowcountry bedroom designed by Heather Chadduck, freshly clipped branches bring the outdoors in.Natural elements have a direct connection to our well-being. "Biophilic design—a term that references our innate love of nature—has been shown to reduce stress and increase positive emotions," says Ingrid. "Plants are an ideal way to do this, but even if you don’t have a green thumb, patterns with nature motifs like vines, leaves, and flowers can bring a sense of lushness and vitality to a space. Whether it’s a lush wallpaper, a botanical print, or a natural fiber rug, these touches help create a calming, grounded feeling that reconnects us with the natural world."Embrace Repeating PatternsCourtesy of Hygge and WestA stripe repeat—like this one from Ingrid’s new collection with Hygge & West—provides comfort in its predictability.There’s something inherently joyful about repetition. "Whether it’s stripes, polka dots, scallops, or another shape, repeated motifs create rhythm and order," says Ingrid. "Psychologists believe our brains find comfort in this kind of visual predictability — it’s both soothing and energizing."Engage All of the SensesSTACY ZARIN GOLDBERGCandles? Check. Blanket? Check. Branches? Check. This breakfast room by Winsome Interior Design hits all the right notes. (Also: That blue floor!)Joy isn’t just something we see. It’s something we feel, hear, and even smell. "Soft textures, cozy materials, the scent of citrus or pine, the sound of a crackling candle or birdsong outside: all of these layer into a sensory experience that deepens our emotional connection to a place," says Ingrid. "A joyful home doesn’t just look good. It feels alive."Related StoriesRachel Hardage BarrettRachel Hardage Barrett has written for and edited lifestyle publications for more than 20 years. As the editor-in-chief of Country Living, she has covered all things related to country life—including design, gardening, food, travel, antiques, crafts, and country pop culture—for more than a decade. Before Country Living, Rachel spent several years at Southern Living, where she served as Executive Editor covering travel, food, style, and features. Before Southern Living, Rachel was the Special Projects Director of Real Simple, where she wrote and oversaw books and special issues about food, travel, weddings, organizing, and parenting in addition to working on international editions and licensed products. Before working at lifestyle brands, Rachel started her magazine career at Glamour, where she wrote and edited relationship articles, celebrity interviews, as well as fashion and features content. When she’s not working on the magazine, she can likely be found poking around an antiques shop, perusing country real estate listings, or dreaming of opening a general store.

The 38 winners, chosen from a 78-strong shortlist, were announced at a ceremony yesterday evening (13 May). AHMM’s restoration and extension to the Grade II-listed Old Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, repurposed as Tower Hamlets Town Hall, was praised by judges for being ‘sensitive and brave’ and a ‘tour de force of reinvention’. The building, which opened in March 2023, includes offices, a council chamber and a six-storey extension to the original building, parts of which date back to 1700.Advertisement Citizens House by Archio, meanwhile, won the London Client of the Year award for its backer. The development of 11 affordable homes on a former backyard garage site in Lewisham was led by Lewisham Citizens, a ‘citizen organising’ charity, and third-sector housing developer community land trust. Hawkins\Brown's Central Foundation Boys’ School – a transformation of a top-performing non-selective boys school – secured the practice both the Sustainability Award and Project Architect of the Year for Negar Mihanyar. Costa’s Barbers by Brisco Loran and Arrant Industries was named Small Project of the Year, while Hallelujah Project by Peregrine Bryant Architects took the Conservation Award. The total number of shortlisted schemes, 78, was up slightly on last year's 76. However, the awards are still below the bumper crop of 92 that were shortlisted in 2023. In 2022 there were 68 in the running, while in 2021, 77  projects made the shortlist. Among the projects to miss out on London  awards were UCL East Marshgate building by Stanton Williams, dRMM's 415 Wick Lane housing scheme, EPR's transformation of former war offices into The OWO, BDP's Oak Cancer Centre, and Salvation Army headquarters by TateHindle. To be eligible for an RIBA award, projects have to have been in use for at least a year. All projects were visited by a jury. Last year, the line-wide design for The Elizabeth Line was named RIBA London Building of the Year 2024 before going on to win the Stirling Prize last October. RIBA president Muyiwa Oki said that this year’s RIBA Award-winning schemes nationwide ‘exemplify architecture’s power to transform – turning spaces into places of connection, creativity, and care ‘Spanning the length of the UK and diverse in form and function, our 2025 winners show a deep sensitivity to place and a strong coherence of thought between all teams involved. Individually, these projects inspire and uplift, but collectively, they remind us that architects do far more than design buildings; they shape the way we live, work and connect.’ The RIBA’s new regional director of London, John Nahar, praised the winning projects for reflecting a ‘breathtaking display of variety, creativity, and purpose' from across the capital. ‘These projects tackle some of the most pressing challenges we face today, from affordable housing and social isolation to the environment and the need for retrofit and reuse. It’s inspiring to see such a wide range of innovative and considered projects – a testament to the strength and ingenuity of architects in the region.’ The winners will now be in the running for an RIBA National Award. These will be announced on 10 July with several schemes then going on to make up the shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year. The Stirling winner will be announced in October. Source:Jack HobhouseCentral Foundation Boys’ School, nominated by Hawkins\Brown Winners Appleby Blue Almshouse by Witherford Watson Mann Architects Blenheim Grove by Poulsom Middlehurst, Yard Architects and New Makers Bureau Citizens House by Archio Design District C1 and D1 by Architecture00 Harfield Gardens by Quinn Architects Idlewild Mews by vPPR Architects Niwa House by Takero Shimazaki Architects Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) by Bennetts Associates Sidcup Storyteller by DRDH Architects WorkStack by dRMM 8 Bleeding Heart Yard by Groupwork Becontree Avenue by Archio Catching Sun House by Studioshaw Central Foundation Boys’ School by Hawkins\Brown London College of Fashion by Allies and Morrison Mary Ward Centre by AWW St. Mary’s Walthamstow by Matthew Lloyd Architects The Gilbert & George Centre by SIRS Architects Tower Court by Adam Khan Architects, Muf Architecture/Art, Child Graddon Lewis Architects Tower Hamlets Town Hall by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Young V&A by AOC Architecture and De Matos Ryan   Chancery House by dMFK Architects and Norm Architects Daventry House by Mæ Hallelujah Project by Peregrine Bryant Architects Quadrangle Building, King’s College London by Hall McKnight Soho Place by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris The Greenhill Building - Harrow Arts Centre by Chris Dyson Architects Haringey Brick Bungalow by Satish Jassal Architects Maitland Park Estate Redevelopment by Cullinan Studio with ECE Westworks New Wave House by Thomas-McBrien Architects and New Wave London   Pine Heath by Studio Hagen Hall Technique by Buckley Gray Yeoman Chelsea Brut by Pricegore Architects    Costa’s Barbers by Brisco Loran and Arrant Industries  Elizabeth Tower by Purcell Lower Ham by Fletcher Crane Architects Royal College of Music, London by John Simpson Architects V&A Photography Centre by Gibson Thornley with Purcell Source:French+TyeCitizens House by Archio

Transformation of former Royal London Hospital among 38 winners announced at a ceremony yesterday evening The former Royal London Hospital dates back to the 1750s The original buildings and the extension are linked by a three-storey atrium 1/5 show caption AHMM’s transformation of the Royal London Hospital into the new Tower Hamlets town hall has been named as RIBA’s 2025 London building of the year. The scheme on Whitechapel Road has added a contemporary extension to the grade II-listed former hospital, parts of which date back to the 1750s. It now functions as the headquarters of the council, which had decided to use the neoclassical building to bring its operations together into a single location after the hospital moved out in 2012 to an adjacent site. RIBA described the scheme as a “tour de force of reinvention, combining a sensitivity to the existing building’s story with a sharpness of contemporary detailing”.  The original and newbuild parts of the scheme are linked by a three-storey glazed atrium crossed by bridges, an approach which RIBA praised for illuminating and celebrating the brickwork on the former hospital’s south facade. “The junction between the existing building and the new extension is materially rich and spatially dramatic, and each is enhanced by its proximity to the other,” RIBA said. RIBA also praised AHMM’s access strategy for using ramps to “seamlessly” connect mismatching internal levels and the public realm. Tower Hamlets Town Hall was among 38 winners of RIBA’s regional awards for the capital handed out at a ceremony yesterday evening, which also included Purcell’s restoration of Elizabeth Tower and a social rent later living scheme by 2023 Stirling Prize winner Mae. Hawkins Brown’s Central Foundation Boys School Peregrine Bryant Architects’ restoration of Handel Hendrix HouseSource: Robin Forster Brisco Loran and Arrant Industries’ Costa’s Barbers Archio’s Citizens House 1/4 show caption Hawkins Brown’s Negar Mihanyar scooped Project Architect of the Year for the practice’s transformation of the Central Foundation Boys School and its estate, while Peregrine Bryant Architects’ restoration of a grade I-listed building which was once home to Jimi Hendrix picked up the Conservation Award. Brisco Loran and Arrant Industries’ Costa’s Barbers, a shop in Battersea reimagined as a home and an office, won Small Project of the Year.  Client of the Year was awarded to Archio’s Citizens House, a community-led development of 11 affordable homes in a former backyard garage site in Lewisham.  RIBA Regional Director of London, John Nahar, described the shortlist for this year’s winners as a “breathtaking display of variety, creativity, and purpose”.   “These projects tackle some of the most pressing challenges we face today - from affordable housing and social isolation to the environment and the need for retrofit and reuse.  “It’s inspiring to see such a wide range of innovative and considered projects – a testament to the strength and ingenuity of architects in the region,” he said. Regional award winners will now be considered for a RIBA National Award, which will be announced on 10 July.  The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the UK’s building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year.