The winners of the annual Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards have been announced by Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service (GCSP) and the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI).
The awards honor projects and professionals who are setting new benchmarks for sustainable design, craftsmanship, and community-focused development across the area.
The winners were announced last night (Wednesday 18 March) at The Auditorium, Pembroke College, Cambridge, hosted by CFCI with thanks to event sponsor Pipe Centre.
The long-running awards celebrate the very best of new construction, conservation, and design innovation across Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire. They reflect the shared ambition of both the City and District councils to deliver high-quality, environmentally responsible places.
This year’s submissions showcased an exceptional range of projects responding creatively to Greater Cambridge’s unique heritage, landscape, and growth challenges. Entries spanned new community buildings, sensitive restorations, major research facilities, new neighbourhoods, and cutting-edge engineering solutions.
Chair of the judging panel, Fiona Reynolds, led a group of experts in visiting shortlisted schemes in February to assess design, craftsmanship, accessibility, construction quality, and environmental performance.
2026 Award-Winning Projects
Best New Building (under £3m construction value)
Winner: Cottenham Village Hall – a high-quality community facility combining thoughtful design with long-term social value.
Highly Commended: Duck End Barns
Best New Building (over £3m construction value)
Winner: Ray Dolby Centre – a major research facility demonstrating excellence in environmental engineering.
Highly Commended: Brooklands
Best Conservation, Alteration, or Extension of an Existing Building (under £3m)
Winner: Christ’s College, First Court – a sensitive upgrade balancing heritage and modern function.
Highly Commended: Vinery Road Office
Best Conservation, Alteration, or Extension of an Existing Building (over £3m)
Winner: Arts Theatre – a complex restoration enhancing one of Cambridge’s key cultural assets.
Highly Commended: 1–11 Portugal Place
Highly Commended: Erasmus Building
Best New Neighbourhood
Winner: Hinsley Lane – A characterful, Passivhaus certified student community integrated into the historic Cambridge City fabric.
Highly Commended: Aylesborough Close
Craftsmanship Award
Winner: Arts Theatre
Highly Commended: Christ’s College, First Court
David Mackay Award for Engineering and Sustainability
Winner: Portugal Place – exemplary sustainable design and engineering integration.
Highly Commended (Educational Value): Ferndale Rise
Highly Commended (Engineering-Led Design): Ray Dolby Centre
Highly Commended (Engineering in a Constrained Site): Vinery Road
Highly Commended (Deep Retrofit of a listed building): M H Baillie Scott House
Contractor Award
Winner: SDC for Brooklands
Highly Commended: Cocksedge Building Contractors for Hinsley Lane & Arts Theatre
People Awards: Celebrating Emerging Talent
Alongside project excellence, the awards recognise individuals whose skills strengthen the future of the region’s built environment.
Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Olivia Durrant (CB3 Consulting)
Young Professional of the Year
Winner: Jess Tyson (MCW Architects)
Commendation: Craig Goldswain (Ramboll)
Site Manager of the Year
Winner: Tom Kindred (SDC)
Commendation: Bridget Owen (Bob Black Construction)
Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “We are pleased to celebrate and showcase the design and construction skills, craftsmanship and engineering which have contributed to the built environment we see around us every day. Along with the other judges, I would like to thank all the teams who submitted entries for the 2026 awards, and to congratulate the winners on the high quality of work that we have seen once again this year.”
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport at Cambridge City Council, said: “The quality of work showcased this year is exceptional. These awards demonstrate how talented and committed our local design and construction community is. With another year of strong submissions, GCSP and CFCI encourage teams from across the industry to continue pushing for innovation, environmental performance, and design excellence in future projects.”
Tom Foggin, Chair of the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry, said: “As a charity dedicated to promoting a wider understanding and appreciation of the construction industry, it is hugely encouraging to see the breadth and quality of projects recognised in this year’s awards. The submissions show how thoughtful design, skilled construction and collaboration can create places that serve communities well. It is particularly heartening to see so many highly commended projects in the David Mackay Award for Engineering and Sustainability, reflecting the growing commitment across the industry to environmentally responsible design.”
More information about the awards can be found on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website.
