The Search Is On Again for Guildford’s Best Designed Buildings, Public Spaces, and Art

Published on: 28 Mar, 2025
Updated on: 2 Apr, 2025

The Guildford Design Awards are back for 2025, celebrating outstanding architecture, urban design, and public art across the borough.

From grand developments to small but impactful projects, the awards highlight the best in design – whether it’s a stylish café, a modern office hub, a thoughtfully restored heritage site, or a striking new public artwork.

Organised by the Guildford Society in partnership with Guildford Borough Council, the awards aim to encourage and reward good design across Guildford.

Who Can Enter?

One of the plaques awarded in 2023, the last time the Guildford design competition took place.

The competition is open to projects completed between July 2023 and July 2025, and entry is free.

Award Categories

This year, plaques will be awarded to winners across ten categories, including:

New Commercial Building
New Commercial Shop Fitouts & Hospitality
New Public Building
New Build: Individual House
New Build: Multiple Housing (Small: up to 30 homes)
New Build: Multiple Housing (Large: 30+ homes)
Conservation Project
Regeneration Project (including extensions)
Public Realm (landscape and urban design)
Public Art

Celebrating Design Excellence

Peter Coleman

Peter Coleman, chair of the Judging Panel, said: “The Guildford Design Awards honour the talent and dedication of those who shape our town’s built environment.

“From new constructions to conservation projects, we celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship that enhance Guildford’s unique character. By encouraging great design, we help to ensure the borough’s rich heritage and future development go hand in hand.”

Cllr Fiona White

Fiona White, Lead councillor for Planning, said: “It’s wonderful to see creative, sustainable design in and around the borough recognised. I’m looking forward to this years awards and the treasures it will reveal.”

And the assistant director of Planning at Guildford Borough Council, Claire Upton-Brown, added: “Good design plays a vital role in shaping a sustainable and thriving Guildford borough. These awards are an opportunity to showcase the exceptional projects that contribute to our town’s identity and quality of life.”

The Judges

A distinguished panel of architects, planners, heritage experts, and media professionals will evaluate this year’s entries, including:

Nic Allen – architect, member of the Guildford Society
Peter Coleman – architect, member of the Guildford Society (chair of the Judging Panel)
Ben Darnton – founder, Guildford Past and Present
Martin Giles – editor of The Guildford Dragon NEWS
Gerry Lytle – architect, member of the Guildford Society
Marylyn Scott – Heritage & Art consultant
Claire Upton-Brown – joint assistant director of Planning, Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils

How to Enter

If you’re an owner, developer, or architect, you can submit a project you’ve worked on.

If you’re a member of the public and know of a building that deserves recognition, encourage the owner to enter. You can also let the Guildford Society know via email, and they’ll see if it can be nominated.

For full entry details, judging criteria, and terms & conditions, visit the Guildford Society website.