Good Design Rewarded – Co-Living Development Scoops Overall Winner Prize

Published on: 14 Nov, 2025
Updated on: 20 Nov, 2025

Guildford Plaza received three awards including “Winner of the Winners”

Good design was recognised last night at the presentation event of the Guildford Design Awards 2025. Over 100 people attended the event, hosted by PE Ltd at 3000 Cathedral Hill.

Judges visited 22 of the entries before deciding on the 14 award winners and 14 commendations.

The big winner on the night was Guildford Plaza, the new co-living apartments at the bottom of the Portsmouth Road, near St Nicolas Church. As well as scooping an award in the Multiple Housing category it was commended as a regeneration project and then received the award for “Winner of the Winners”.

The mayor of Guildford, Howard Smith, welcoming attendees to the presentation event.

Opening the event, the Mayor of Guildford, who presented the awards, said: “This evening is a celebration of good design for new and improved buildings, in public spaces and of public art completed in the Borough of Guildford over the last two years.”

Peter Coleman, chairman of the Judging Panel, commented: “The Guildford Design Awards, as well as encouraging good design standards, give an opportunity to gather together in one place and recognise the scattered locations of great design work in our borough over the last two years.

“Hopefully too, publicising the results will bring this work, some of which is on open view, to public attention and appreciation. All the judges thank those who put forward their entries.”

Cllr Julia McShane, leader of Guildford Borough Council, said: “Guildford Design Awards celebrate the creativity and innovation that shape the unique character of our borough. The winning projects showcase great design, enhance our communities, and inspire future development.

“I’m especially proud that Guildford Lido, our much-loved council-owned leisure venue, won the Small Public Building award.

“Congratulations to all the winners whose work helps to make Guildford a vibrant and sustainable place to live and work.”

3000 Cathedral Hill received the award for refitted commercial office

The 14 award winners were:

Commercial Building

3000 Cathedral Hill – Refitted Commercial Office
Architect: SPACE Client: PE Limited

Charters Yard, Mary Road – New Commercial Office
Architect: KGA Feakes Executive Architect: Ivett Design and Build

Marks and Spencer Food Hall, Ladymead Retail Park – New Shop
Architect: Lewis and Hickey Client: Marks and Spencer

The redesigned changing rooms at the Guildford Lido was an award winner

Public Building
Guildford Lido, Lido Road, Stoke Park – Small Public Building
Architect: Lytle Associates Client: Guildford Borough Council

Individual House
Hidden House, Abinger Hammer – New build
Architect: Duncan Foster Architects Client: Mr and Mrs Squire

The Hidden House in Abinger Hammer attracted praise from all the judges

Monkshatch, Hogs Back, Compton – New Build Modern Method of Construction (MMC)
Architect: Peter Huf Landscape Architect: Rosebank Client: Andrew and Karen Jackson

Multiple Housing
Guildford Plaza, Portsmouth Road – More than 30 Homes
Architect: RUFF Architects Client: Bowmore Operating Limited Partnership (Partners Group and Tiger Developments)

Conservation Project
Stoke Cottage, Stoke Road – Small Conservation Project
Architect: Anna Hummel Design Consultant/ Craftsmen: Nigel Coope Workshop/ Paul Smith

Regeneration Project
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook – Public Building Regeneration
Architect: Reed Watts Architects Client: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Urban Regeneration
Guildford Plaza, Portsmouth Road
Architect: RUFF Architects Client: Bowmore Operating Limited Partnership
(Partners Group and Tiger Developments)

Public Realm
The Oudolf Landscape, RHS Wisley
Designer: Piet Oudorf Client: The Royal Horticultural Society

GDA judges assessing the Chapel Street mural with artist Nathalie Scott and Experience Guildford’s Amanda Masters

Public Art
Mural, Chapel Street – Urban Art
Artist: Nathalie Beauvillian Scott Client: Experience Guildford

Memorial Window, St Martin’s Church, East Horsley – Building Art
Artist: Derek Hunt Client: Rev’d Renos Pittarides

Winner of the Winners
Guildford Plaza, Portsmouth Road, Guildford
Architect: RUFF Architects Client: Bowmore Operating Limited Partnership (Partners Group and Tiger Developments)