The search is on for Guildford’s best buildings, public spaces, and art.
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.
The competition is open to projects completed between July 2023 and July 2025, and entry is free.
This year, plaques will be awarded to winners across ten categories, including:
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."
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."
A distinguished panel of architects, planners, heritage experts, and media professionals will evaluate this year’s entries, including:
The Judging Criteria can be seen here.
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 entered.
Please check if your project falls within the Guildford Borough boundaries see map below. You can check a more detailed version of the Guildfordford Borough Council Website if necesssay.
Entries ahould be returned to Peter Coleman Chair of the Guildford Society Design and Heriatge Group Peter Coleman petercolemanarchitects@gmail.com. Peter will also be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
A downloadable entry form is available here.
Entries to be returned to Peter Coleman Chair of the Guildford Society Design and Heriatge Group petercolemanarchitects@gmail.com.
Peter will also be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Deadline for entries: Friday 23th May 2025
You may be interested in seeing details of previous winners, including Videos
2020 Awards
Help us make Guildford better
We want our town to be vibrant, attractive and liveable. We support development that brings a sense of place and enhances the best aspects of our town. If such aims can be embraced, we believe Guildford has the chance to lead the way in enabling sensitive and sustainable development.
Pressures for development are increasing. Planning rules are being eased. The Society’s commitment to standing up for Guildford is needed more than ever.
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Getting involved allows the society to continue its work. We welcome new members, from every age and background. Membership provides an opportunity for you to contribute to the continued health of the town and surrounding area, and to meet other people who care about Guildford.
