Entries open for The Pineapples awards for place 2027

The 2026 cycle set a new benchmark, with a record number of finalists showcasing the best of placemaking across 20 categories. 26 teams took home a golden pineapple trophy from 129 finalists.

"I must say the calibre of ALL of the shortlisted projects was outstanding this year, which made it a great pleasure and a challenge to judge. Thank you to the Pineapples awards for shining a light on the incredible work happening across the UK - and for the always excellent awards party!," commented Eleanor Fawcett, Built Environment Fellow, 1852 Royal Commission and repeat Pineapples judge.

With a mission to champion the most inspiring places, The Pineapples encourages entrants to try their luck at one of the categories on offer this year: Place of Year, Activation, Public Space, Community Engagement, Place in Progress, Creative Retrofit, Future Place, International Future Place, Infrastructure, Building, Future Public Realm, Climate Resilience, Child Friendly Place, Strategy, Community Space, Healthy Homes and - new for 2027 - Public Art.

 

Christine Murray, chair of judges said: "We are excited to introduce this new category following the success of public artworks in previous years. We hope that The Pineapple for Public Art will shine a spotlight on the cultural value of art as a method of fostering belonging and enlivening place."

 

Pineapples judge Rosalie Callaway, Policy and Project Manager at the TCPA and one of the team behind the Healthy Homes principles and category, said:

“We’ve really appreciated the opportunity to shine a light on some outstanding affordable housing schemes through the Healthy Homes category. Thank you so much for all your support in establishing the category and helping everything run so smoothly.”

 

A full breakdown of the submission requirements for each category is available to download on The Pineapples website.

 

Shortlisted built projects are vistied by the judges from January to February to get a real sense of the place.

 

Returning judge Lucy Atlee, Senior Quality and Design Manager at Places for London reflected on the 2026 schemes: "It was a brilliant collection of projects and its always such a treat to get a tour from the client and design team."

 

All finalists are honoured at the digital Festival of Pineapples on 2-4 March 2027 where they will come face-to-face with the judges during the live streamed event. The three-day event is available for all to watch and learn straight from the developers, public sector, project teams, clients and end users of each project.

 

Alex Gordon, Director and Head of Business Development at Morris+Company said that he "thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the jury process" and is "delighted" to be returning for the 2027 programme. 

 

All projects and recordings are then free to discover on The Pineapples gallery, showcasing the very best case studies from The Pineapples community before the final celebration in London, April 2027.

 

The Pineapples sponsor partner, Tectonix - a premium natural stone supplier, working on predominantly commercial and public realm projects across the country – returns as supporters of the Place in Progress category for 2027.

 

“Tectonix are absolutely delighted to be supporting The Pineapples Awards. We’re excited to join in with promoting and celebrating the excellent work that is done by so many to improve the quality of public spaces around the country. We are big believers that those small touches of quality in the public realm can have big impacts so to help celebrate these projects is a real privilege for us.”

 

They join urban furniture designers, Vestre, who support the Public Space and Future Public Realm categories.

 

Jack Arkney, from the Vestre team, highlights that “Our commitment aligns perfectly with The Pineapples’ goal and together, we aim to celebrate and shape thriving and welcoming spaces.”

 

“For us, that’s important, as we care not just how much public realm or how many benches someone has access to, but the quality and impact these places can have on everyday life,” follows Matt King.

 

The support of these organisations enables free and discounted entries for those that need them.

 

2027 key dates         

August 2026: Call for entries open

1 October 2026: Early Bird deadline

12 November 2026: Final deadline for entries

January 2027: Shortlist announcement

2-4 March 2027: Festival of Pineapples, live judging presentations

April 2027: Pineapples prize-giving-party

June 2027: Pineapples stage at Festival of Place

 

Information

Prices: Early Bird entries at £255 and standard rate £55, with all payments subject to VAT

Categories: 17 categories to choose from

Help: Contact kimberley@thedeveloper.live for information