Professor Niall McLaughlin (UCL Bartlett School of Architecture) has received the 2026 Royal Gold Medal for architecture, awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on behalf of His Majesty the King - the highest honour for lifetime achievement in the field.
The annual award recognises a distinguished body of work by an individual or group making a substantial contribution to international architecture. The citation highlights Professor McLaughlin for his "artistic constancy, seen regardless of project size or budget," as well as his "deep awareness of place, material, craft, light and form, with a continued commitment to the quality of space," and his commitment to teaching since the beginning of his career.
He is Professor of Architectural Practice at The Bartlett School of Architecture and has taught there for over 25 years. Throughout this time, he’s been a champion for young architects, transparency in working hours and pay, and openness around mental health.
Professor McLaughlin said: "I am delighted and honoured to receive the 2026 Royal Gold Medal for Architecture.
"My team and I view architecture as a continuity of practice across generations. We are grateful to our teachers, who passed on the spirit, and our students, who continually question and transform it. As a small studio, we have grown and learned together.
"Through practice, we have learned that architecture is not the production of singular objects, but an ongoing performance of development, alteration, and reinvention through lived experience. At a time of accelerating technological change in design and construction, we continue to insist on the human rituals and material practices at the heart of our discipline. Building is an act, not an object. Architecture lies in its making and the way that it shapes learning, culture, and communal life."
Professor McLaughlin was born in Geneva and educated in Dublin, receiving his architectural qualifications from University College Dublin. He started working for Scott Tallon Walker Architects in Dublin and London but soon established his own practice in London focusing on making high quality modern buildings with a special emphasis on materials and detail.
As an architect, Professor McLaughlin has had a highly decorated career. Some of his most celebrated works include the bandstand at Bexhill, the Alzheimer’s Respite Centre in Dublin, the Bishop Edward King Chapel in Oxford and The New Library at Magdalene College.
He has previously been named Young British Architect of the Year in 1998 and one of the BBC Rising Stars in 2001 and his designs have won many awards in the UK, Ireland and the US, including RIAI Best Building in the Landscape, the RIBA Stephen Lawrence Award for the Best Building under £1million, and was on the RIBA Stirling Shortlist 2013.
Professor Jacqui Glass (Dean, UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment) said: "This is a tremendous achievement for Professor McLaughlin which is richly deserved. We are incredibly proud of the work that Niall has done over the course of his career - in studio and in practice. His leadership in the architectural profession is globally recognised and we’re so fortunate that he is a member of our faculty. We are deeply grateful for Niall’s longstanding commitment to the education of architects, and this important recognition of such a dedicated practitioner also stands as a true reflection of the enduring quality and excellence that we hold dear in The Bartlett."
RIBA President and Chair of the 2026 RIBA Honours Jury, Chris Williamson, said: "Always one to credit and uplift those around him, it is fitting that Níall is recognised for the resounding impact he has had on the profession. As an educator, he has been an outstanding role model for young architects, while his designs - eclectic in appearance and use - share a sense of care and grace that represent the very best of architecture."
The Royal Gold Medal for architecture has been awarded consistently since 1848. It’s considered one of the most prestigious architectural awards, and has been presented to some of the most important and influential architects since its inception.
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