The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has released the six projects selected as finalists for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2026, celebrating the prize's thirtieth anniversary. This recognition, established in 1996, aims to honor the work that has most contributed to the advancement of architecture in the United Kingdom.
This year's selection demonstrates a great diversity of architectural types. Among the projects are a new public square built over one of London's busiest transport hubs, the adaptation of a 1970s theatre into a cultural centre, a high-density residential development, two proposals for colleges in Cambridge, and a single-family residence situated on the edge of Epping Forest.
The announcement of the winning project is scheduled for October 15th at Old Billingsgate, in London. The six finalist works represent different methods of modern architectural practice, ranging from adaptive reuse and interventions in historic buildings to new housing and civic infrastructure.
Among the competing practices are previous winners of the Stirling Prize, such as Haworth Tompkins and Witherford Watson Mann, alongside Bennetts Associates, Renzo Piano Building Workshop in partnership with Adamson Associates, Sergison Bates, and Mary Duggan Architects in collaboration with RUFF Architects.
House at Fairmead / Sergison Bates (Epping Forest)
This family residence, developed by Sergison Bates in conjunction with the clients, is located on the edge of Epping Forest. Its compact design replaces traditional corridors with a succession of rooms connected by wide thresholds and thick walls that house closets, technical areas, and a discreet elevator. The house is centred around a living room with a 4.5-metre ceiling height, bathed in natural light. The construction uses 650-millimetre thick insulated clay block walls, finished with lime render, combining good passive thermal and acoustic performance with a sober material palette, including brick, wood, lime render, and hydraulic tiles. Details such as distinct bricklaying patterns, recessed windows, and meticulously crafted facades give a unique rhythm to the exterior, while a reclaimed timber column (greenheart) supports the main communal space.
BEAM / Bennetts Associates (Hertfordshire)
The BEAM project, conceived by Bennetts Associates, transforms a 1970s theatre in Hertford into a new community and cultural hub through a strategy focused on adaptive reuse. Instead of demolishing the original structure, the project retains the existing auditorium and reorganises it to accommodate a larger stage with a capacity of 550 people. Additionally, new cinemas, a studio theatre, dance studios, and a café are incorporated, arranged in cross-laminated timber (CLT) volumes clad in brick, around the preserved building. This expansion reinterprets the geometry and material character of the initial hexagonal structure, using artisan brick facades and strategically placed openings to reinforce the connection with the city, the River Lea, and nearby public spaces. A redesigned entrance, courtyard, and riverside terraces enhance the building's civic presence, while the exposed brick and wood interiors emphasize material efficiency and low-carbon construction.
Lion Green Road / Mary Duggan Architects with RUFF Architects (London)
Located in Coulsdon, in the Croydon district, Lion Green Road offers 157 residential units. The master plan, guided by landscaping, was designed to respond to the complex topography of the site and the surrounding residential context. Mary Duggan Architects designed the development, executed by RUFF Architects, which consists of five residential pavilions of four to seven storeys, positioned precisely along an 8-metre slope. The project ensures the maintenance of access to neighbouring residences and protects the listed Surrey Iron Railway monument. It balances social and private housing, organising all apartments around windmill-shaped central cores, ensuring plans with double solar exposure, good natural light, and cross-ventilation. A network of public paths, diverse vegetation, recreational areas, communal spaces, and community gardens integrates the landscaping and public space into the general residential environment.
Paddington Square / Renzo Piano Building Workshop with Adamson Associates (London)
Paddington Square is located over one of London's main transport nodes and reconstructs a previously isolated plot by creating a new public square. This space strengthens connections between Paddington Station, the London Underground, and the surrounding urban area. The mixed-use development, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Adamson Associates, features a public domain across multiple levels, extending from the street to a public access roof, and substantially improves pedestrian circulation with new accessible routes linked to the station. Built over active transport infrastructure, the project unites complex engineering and structural solutions with a sober architectural expression, giving the impression that the building hovers over the new civic space. Its glass facade alternates between reflective and transparent properties, reacting to changes in natural light and establishing a contemporary presence next to the Victorian station.
Pembroke Mill Lane / Haworth Tompkins (Cambridge)
Haworth Tompkins redesigned a previously closed site within Cambridge's Historic City Conservation Area, utilizing the adaptive reuse of existing buildings and adding new academic, residential, and public spaces. The project combines the deep renovation of six historic buildings—including the conversion of an old United Reformed Church into a versatile auditorium—with the construction of six new buildings that expand the college and increase urban permeability through a network of courtyards, landscaped gardens, and wooden-framed cloisters. New student accommodation, teaching facilities, presentation venues, and communal areas are integrated into the existing campus, with carefully installed elevators improving accessibility in various old buildings. Sustainability measures include the reuse of recovered materials, improved thermal performance in restored structures, and passive environmental strategies in new buildings, such as triple glazing, visible thermal mass, photovoltaic panels, and air source heat pumps.
River Wing, Clare College / Witherford Watson Mann Architects (Cambridge)
Witherford Watson Mann Architects introduced new dining, social, and circulation spaces at Clare College, a Grade I listed heritage site, through contemporary interventions integrated into its historical fabric. The project was built alongside and beneath the college's existing buildings, reconfiguring underused areas and responding to limited site access, the need to preserve heritage, and flood risk conditions. A prefabricated laminated oak structure houses new circulation routes, kitchens, support areas, and full accessibility, extending towards a wood-clad café and an event space overlooking the River Cam. This intervention generates a sequence of interconnected internal environments and landscaped courtyards that reveal previously hidden facades and strengthen the connection between the college and the river, while retaining historical elements of the site, such as sections of original brickwork and ancient carvings.
The RIBA Stirling Prize was created in 1996 and aims to recognize the authorship of the project that has most contributed to the evolution of architecture and the built environment in the UK. Recent winners include the Appleby Blue Almshouse, by Witherford Watson Mann (2025), the Elizabeth Line, by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and Atkins Réalis (2024), the John Morden Centre, by Mæ (2023), and the Magdalene College Library, by Niall McLaughlin Architects (2022).
Egyptian artist Amr Diab sparked widespread online buzz following the release of the official poster for his new album 'Habaytak' (I Loved You), scheduled for release in Summer 2026.
The social media discussion was not driven by the album itself or the artist's appearance, but rather by the fact that he was pictured wearing three luxurious women's watches. This detail caught the attention of fans, who began searching for information about the brand and price of these watches, leading to the images going viral across various platforms.
These watches are the Mini Royal Oak model, which is considered one of the most sought-after designs in the world of luxury timepieces and is widely worn by celebrities globally. According to common pricing, each of these models costs approximately $282,000 USD, a fact that surprised many fans after the information became widely circulated.
Critics suggest that wearing three watches simultaneously is an important element of the album's promotional visual concept, especially considering the famous singer's reputation for meticulous attention to detail in official photoshoots and album covers.
The superstar recently completed recording songs for his new album, preparing for its imminent release and reaffirming his dominance in the summer music season. While working on the album, Amr Diab collaborated with numerous renowned poets, composers, and arrangers, including Tamer Hussein, Aziz El Shafei, and Ayman Bahgat Ammar, as well as other figures from Egypt and the Arab world. The album features both names involved in his past successes and new participants whom he hopes will bring a fresh perspective to the tracks.
It is worth noting that Diab's last album, 'Ebtadeina', was released last summer and achieved the highest streaming count for an Arabic album across various music platforms.
Aston Martin has presented the Dreadnought, a military-nature SUV concept that exists exclusively in the digital environment of the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. This project was developed in collaboration with Infinity Ward and Activision, bringing the aesthetic and performance of the British automaker to the video game universe, it should be noted that the vehicle is not available for purchase.
Created without the restrictions of the physical world, the Dreadnought allows for the exploration of shapes, materials, and technologies that would be unfeasible in a production car. The manufacturer's intention was to incorporate the DNA of Aston Martin into a machine with supercar performance, suitable for the combat scenarios of the new franchise title.
Within the universe of Modern Warfare 4, the SUV features all-wheel drive, described by developers as the most aggressive in the game. Its exterior is equipped with ballistic protection plates, a specific compartment for weaponry, and fuel tanks. The sound experience is complemented by the simulation of a V12 engine roar, generated by the game's physics engine, aiming to strengthen the connection with the brand's sports vehicles. The model will be accessible in tactical locations within the DMZ and Warzone modes at launch.
Despite its military theme, the concept maintains characteristic elements of Aston Martin. The body features Chiltern Green paint and has an external finish in carbon fiber with a 'fishbone' pattern. The interior combines Oxford Tan leather upholstery, carbon fiber details, and a gear selector with metallic gold finish. The name Dreadnought refers both to the English expression meaning 'fear nothing' and to HMS Dreadnought, a pioneering British battleship in the early 20th century.
For Aston Martin, this initiative is part of a diversification strategy, seeking to attract a younger audience and potential luxury clients through electronic games. This is not the first time the brand has been involved in this type of project, having previously created the DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo for the game Gran Turismo 6. A full-scale replica of the Dreadnought will be exhibited at Fanatics Fest in New York. The twenty-third title in the series, Modern Warfare 4, will be released on October 23, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with the standard edition costing US$ 69.99 in the United States.
The Inhotim Institute, the largest open-air museum in Latin America, located in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, will offer an additional day of visitation during July, taking advantage of the school recess and holidays.
Throughout the month, Inhotim will be open from Tuesday to Sunday. On weekdays, operating hours will be from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. On weekends, the hours are extended, running from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Tickets can be purchased through the Sympla platform, with the full price costing R$ 65, and there is a half-price option for R$ 32.50 for qualified individuals and Nubank card users. Additionally, access to the Inhotim Institute is free on Wednesdays.
In addition to permanent exhibitions and tours of the outdoor area, July will feature various exclusive activities. On the 11th, visitors were able to participate in the Learning Showcase of the Inhotim Music School, and other attractions are planned for the coming weeks.
On July 18, starting at 10 AM, a new edition of LAB Art & Natureza, linked to the Youth Forum, will take place. This event focuses on the 13 to 17 age group, promoting discussions on how to preserve the territory and debating specific actions for Brumadinho, with an expected duration of six hours.
On the same day, July 18, at 10:30 AM, there will be the LAB Garden Open Class, which will teach techniques for cultivating aquatic plants. This activity will last 90 minutes and will be led by specialist Marco Otávio.
Towards the end of the month, on the 25th, starting at 10 AM, the 4th edition of Experiência Brumadinho will be held. This event aims to bring together residents and visitors in an exhibition celebrating the culture, gastronomy, and traditions of the municipality throughout the entire day.
