Community-first housing development joins Aldourie Castle, Stirling women’s prison and Harris hideaway on prestigious architecture awards list
DUNDEE – A transformative affordable housing project in Dundee has been named one of Scotland’s top architectural achievements of the year, as the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) revealed the winners of its 2025 national awards.
The Ellengowan Regeneration, designed by Collective Architecture for housing association Hillcrest, is one of eleven diverse and high-impact projects recognised across the country—from Hebridean retreats to pioneering infrastructure and historic restorations.
A Model for Regeneration
Replacing dilapidated post-war housing with 130 modern homes, the Ellengowan scheme has been heralded as a model of community-centred regeneration. Situated in a conservation area overlooking the River Tay, the development blends modern living standards with respect for heritage and setting.
RIAS jurors praised the project’s thoughtful design—ranging from varied housing types to accessibility features—and its role in revitalising a formerly neglected area of the city.
“This is architecture that works with the community,” said RIAS jury chair Jessam Al-Jawad. “It’s an example of how sensitive, inclusive design can transform lives.”
A Bold, Varied Cohort
The 2025 RIAS Award winners span scales and sectors, from luxury heritage estates to reimagined public infrastructure and socially progressive institutions.
Here’s a look at the full list of winners, who now go forward to contend for the prestigious Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award this November:
| Project | Location | Architect | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellengowan Regeneration | Dundee | Collective Architecture | Affordable housing, conservation area, River Tay views |
| Aldourie Castle Estate | Loch Ness | Ptolemy Dean Architects | Five-year restoration, traditional craft, new infrastructure |
| Caochan na Creige | Isle of Harris | Izat Arundell | Hand-built home, blackhouse-inspired, deeply contextual |
| Fairburn Tower | Highland | Simpson & Brown Architects | 16th-century tower rescue, Renaissance ceiling, holiday use |
| Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge | Aberdeenshire | Moxon Architects | Recycled granite, modern form, infrastructure innovation |
| HM Prison & YOI Stirling | Stirling | Holmes Miller | Humane prison design, rehabilitation focus, natural light |
| Kinloch Lodge | Lairg | GRAS | Minimal intervention, historic lodge preservation |
| The Nucleus Building | Edinburgh | Sheppard Robson | Student life hub, flexible interiors, sustainability |
Each project was visited in person by the RIAS jury—comprising architects, heritage specialists and design leaders—underscoring the rigorous evaluation process that underpins Scotland’s highest architectural accolade.
From Castles to Custody
Among the more striking winners is HM Prison and YOI Stirling, a groundbreaking women’s custodial facility that prioritises dignity, care and rehabilitation over punishment. The Holmes Miller-designed facility uses landscaped courtyards, domestic-scaled rooms and warm materials to rethink what a prison can be.
Meanwhile, Aldourie Castle Estate on Loch Ness was celebrated for its poetic restoration and estate-wide transformation, which includes new buildings rooted in local tradition and craftsmanship.
Jessam Al-Jawad summed up the range of talent represented:
“This year’s winners demonstrate the extraordinary breadth of architectural thinking in Scotland—from intimate, personal projects to bold civic and public work.”
Beyond the Awards: What Comes Next
The eleven RIAS winners are now in contention for two major follow-up accolades:
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The RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, to be announced in November 2025
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The RIBA National Awards, which offer UK-wide recognition and a path to the Stirling Prize shortlist
Ellengowan’s place among these contenders is significant, not only for Dundee but for the national conversation around affordable housing, place-based planning, and post-pandemic community resilience.
Local pride in the regeneration is high. “This development shows what can be achieved when social need and architectural quality align,” said a Hillcrest spokesperson. “It’s about dignity in housing—and we’re thrilled that the RIAS has recognised that.”
Architectural Landscape in Transition
The 2025 awards underscore several broader trends in Scottish architecture:
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Conservation meets innovation: Projects like Fairburn Tower and Kinloch Lodge show growing confidence in blending preservation with modern use.
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Infrastructure as design: Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge reflects a renewed focus on design-led public works.
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Socially driven architecture: HM Prison Stirling and Ellengowan point to a shifting emphasis on well-being, inclusion, and community impact.
As the climate crisis, housing shortages and public sector reform reshape the design agenda, the RIAS awards offer a hopeful snapshot of how Scottish architects are responding—with creativity, sensitivity, and purpose.
