The Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2025 highlighted the finest achievements in design, construction, craftsmanship, and engineering within the region.
The winners were announced on Wednesday, March 12, at a ceremony hosted by the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI) at The Auditorium, Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Jointly facilitated by CFCI and the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service (GCSP)—a collaborative effort between Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils—these awards celebrate exceptional construction projects across Greater Cambridge. This includes new builds, conservation efforts, and extensions that showcase superior design, sustainability, and innovation.
The judging panel
A panel of esteemed professionals, chaired by Dame Fiona Reynolds, former master of Emmanuel College Cambridge and ex-director-general of the National Trust, assessed the submissions. In early February, the judges visited shortlisted projects to evaluate the entries firsthand.
Awards categories and winners
The awards featured both Project Awards and People Awards, celebrating both architectural achievements and individual contributions in the construction industry.
People Awards
- Apprentice of the Year
- Winner: Courtney Northrop
- Commendation: Josh Preater
- Young Professional of the Year
- Winner: James Morton
- Commendations: Rachel Earnshaw & Alissya Rudy
Project Awards
- Best Conservation/Adaptation Under £3M
- Winner: Cherry Hinton Library and Community Hub
- Best Conservation/Adaptation Over £3M
- Highly Commended: King’s College Chapel Roof
- Winner: Pembroke Mill Lane
- Best New Building Under £3M
- Winner: Mill Hide
- Best New Building Over £3M
- Highly Commended: L2, Orchard Park
- Winner: The Meadows Community Centre
Special Awards
- Craftsmanship Award
- Highly Commended: Mill Hide, King’s College Chapel Roof
- Winner: Pembroke Mill Lane
- Contractor Award
- Highly Commended: Cocksedge for Pembroke Mill Lane
- Winner: Barnes Construction for Spalding Hostel
- The David Mackay Award for Engineering and Sustainability
- Highly Commended: Pembroke Mill Lane
- Winner: King’s College Chapel Roof
Dame Fiona Reynolds emphasised the exceptional quality of entries, highlighting projects that pushed boundaries in adaptive reuse, energy efficiency, and craftsmanship. She commended the winners for their dedication to creating liveable and resilient spaces.
Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council, praised the awards for recognising projects that enhance communities through creativity, collaboration, and sustainability. Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control, and Infrastructure at Cambridge City Council, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of architectural excellence in shaping everyday life.
