Philip Webb Award

Philip Webb Award

The Philip Webb Award is a design competition that encourages the sympathetic reuse of existing buildings, and champions sensitive new design for old buildings. It is open to Architecture students and recent graduates. 

It is named in honour of architect Philip Webb who co-founded the SPAB in 1877 and was instrumental in the development of the building conservation movement. 

Submit your entries or nominations by Wednesday 14 August 2024. You can find out more below, or get inspired by our previous shortlist and winners. Any questions? Email awards@spab.org.uk.

The brief 

Architecture students and recent graduates are invited to devise a scheme which sympathetically brings an old building back into use. The scheme should incorporate both careful repair of historic fabric and a significant element of new construction in a contemporary design. 

What are we looking for? 

  • A sensitive historical and architectural appraisal of the existing building(s) through research, investigation and measured drawings 
  • A clear presentation and reasoned explanation of the steps to be taken to conserve and repair existing fabric, demonstrating understanding of repair techniques and materials 
  • A convincing statement of the design approach taken to the contemporary interventions proposed to enable the building’s reuse 
  • A clear illustration of how the relationship between the old and the new is managed 
  • Evidence showing how the scheme responds to the SPAB Approach
  • High standards of presentation in drawings and written material 

Who can enter? 

The Philip Webb Award is open to: 

  • Students currently completing RIBA Part II (or an equivalent Architecture qualification) or those who completed their studies in 2022 or 2023 
  • Students or graduates must be from Schools of Architecture in the UK or Republic of Ireland 

How to enter 

Please enter via the online form. You need to include: 

  • A completed entry form 
  • A maximum 400-word ‘executive summary’ outlining your aims and approach, and the scheme’s key points 
  • A report setting out how the details of the scheme, meeting the criteria above, including a location plan, survey drawings, photos and contextual information and drawings illustrating the scheme 
  • Please do not include your name (or anything that could identify you) on your file attachments as entries are judged anonymously. 

All Awards are free to enter. Shortlisted entries for the Philip Webb Award will receive one complimentary ticket to the Awards Ceremony

Any questions? Email awards@spab.org.uk.