What is ‘architecture for the common good’? Again this year your entries have expanded the definition – and the reach – of the MacEwen Award with inventive and varied projects
Welcome to the MacEwen Award 2024 winners – the overall winner, a facility for women in the justice system designed by Snug, three highly commended schemes, an eight-strong shortlist and a special mention that is slightly different to the others but all-deserving.
With geographical locations from Jaywick to Belfast via London and Southampton, it is clear that ‘architecture for the common good’, is taking place wholeheartedly across the entire UK. There is even more regional expanse in our shortlist too.
From a longlist of 32 entries, the winners were selected by our panel of judges: Je Ahn, founding director, Studio Weave; Stacey Barry, architect, BDP; Kathy MacEwen, planner and daughter of Anni and Malcolm MacEwen after whom the award is named and Alex Scott-Whitby, founding director, Scott Whitby Studio, which won the top prize for Jubilee Pool in 2023, and me, as chair. Depending on the submissions each year, the concept of ‘architecture for the common good’ evolves to reflect to the changing needs of the world around us. We saw more housing in 2024 as well as more beautifully revived historic buildings – and possibly fewer inner city, tougher urban schemes. Yet every project contributes to improving its community, local economy, and environmental and social contexts. It’s fantastic to see the efforts that architectural practices are going to make ideas happen. In many cases, the projects wouldn’t happen without them going above and beyond.
Next year we will celebrate 10 years of the award, and are already looking forward to a bumper crop of entries. In the meantime, thank you to the 2024 judges, the entrants, and our generous sponsor BDP which has supported the awards for many years. Congratulations to the winning roster and enjoy reading.
See this year's winners and more MacEwen projects and architecture for the common good