Paddington Square in London has been named one of the 32 winners of the RIBA National Awards 2026, recognising a major urban development that brings together architecture, advanced façade engineering, transport infrastructure and public space. Designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) in collaboration with Adamson Associates Architects, the project was completed in 2024 and has also received the RIBA London Award 2026.
Located directly beside Paddington Station, the 18-storey mixed-use development provides approximately 430,000 sq ft (40,000 m²) of space for offices, retail and hospitality. At ground level, the scheme creates a 5,450 m² public piazza, transforming the station arrival experience and establishing a new pedestrian connection between the railway station and surrounding streets.
The development also includes a new step-free Bakerloo Line entrance and expanded Underground ticket hall, integrating the building with London’s wider transport network.
Paddington Square’s façade is a key element of its architectural identity. The double-skin unitised curtain wall system incorporates Clearvision low-iron glass with ipasol Bright White coating, selected to achieve high transparency while meeting solar-control and environmental requirements. 
The approximately 275,556 sq ft façade incorporates a ventilated cavity, integrated Venetian blinds and external aluminium shading. At the building’s corners, the external façade projects 1.5 metres beyond the slab edge, requiring bespoke reinforcement within the curtain-wall transoms. FEM structural modelling and CFD analysis were used to assess structural behaviour and environmental performance.
The multidisciplinary team included Mace as contractor, with WSP responsible for structural, environmental and M&E engineering. BDP and Flora Form provided landscape architecture, while CPLD handled lighting design. TP Bennett, MSMR and PRS Architects worked on space planning, with Universal Design Studio responsible for interiors and David Bonnett Associates for access consultancy.
Gardiner & Theobald served as quantity surveyor and cost consultant, while William Matthews Associates and Jack Carter Architects contributed as consulting architects.
The project achieved BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Platinum, demonstrating how architectural ambition, high-performance glazing and complex infrastructure can be integrated into a single urban development. Paddington Square is also shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, with the winner to be announced on 15 October 2026.
Source: RIBA with additional information added by Glass Balkan
