It’s another exciting moment for The Richard Cairns Building at Brighton College.
We’re proud to share that this special project has been shortlisted for the RIBA South East Award 2026 by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
At the heart of the school, the building reshapes how performance and teaching is experienced day to day: a theatre lifted above an open ground level, studios, classrooms and social spaces woven together through a central forum, and a brick form that feels both grounded and in motion. It’s a building designed not just for productions, but for the everyday energy of pupils crossing paths, rehearsing, gathering and experimenting.
Having already celebrated nominations - and wins - for this incredible building, it’s a real privilege to see its ongoing acknowledgement. Recognition like this is never taken for granted, especially for a project shaped by such a committed and collaborative team.
Together with our client @brightoncollegeuk and our partners at @nha_llp , we’re proud to see the project stand among the region’s most compelling architecture.
As ever, we’re proud to be in the room when the spotlight turns.
#RIBA #RoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects #NHA #architecture #BrightonCollege
“We wanted to create a place where clarity, tranquillity and a sense of security are central. A building that gives children something to hold onto and inspires professionals to collaborate from one shared vision.” Oscar Vos on the new Integrated Child and Expertise Centre ‘de Zevensprong’ in Hoorn, the Netherlands.
This school year marks the opening of the centre, designed by KRFT. The building brings together 5 former locations for special (primary) education into one, sustainable environment for learning, care, childcare and sport. With nearly 7,000 m², it is one of the largest timber primary schools in the Netherlands and meets the Paris Proof threshold values. The result is a future-proof building that combines circular construction with a healthy learning environment.
Check link in bio for full project overview. Video credits: @3mp_film_fotografie
Client: Gemeente Hoorn
Users: IKEC De Zevensprong Stichting Trigoon, SWV De Westfriese Knoop, SWV VO West-Friesland Parlan, Stichting Kinderopvang
Research: @mevrouw_meijer
Project Management and building costs: @bbnadviseurs
Contractor: @denijsenzonen
Construction: @abluning
Installation advisor: De Blaay-Van den Bogaard
Building physics: @dgmradviseurs
A glimpse of what the Hembrug Bunkers are today.
What used to be closed-off munitions depots from 1917 is now ‘De Enclave’: a small, self-developed community where a group of residents transformed historic buildings into homes, ateliers and even a bakery. Kids running around, neighbours dropping by, people working and living side by side.
Thank you @stijn_bollaert for capturing that everyday life so beautifully.
Looking back at Vuurtoreneiland, a project that still feels very close to us.
What started as a seasonal restaurant on a remote fortress island became an all-season place by moving into the old barracks. Instead of rebuilding, we chose to work with what was already there, preserving the layered quality of history overtaken by nature.
With a few precise interventions, a new floor, a subtle façade insert, and three standalone elements for the kitchen, bar and toilets, the former sleeping quarters were turned into a restaurant, while keeping the existing structure as found.
You arrive by boat, often in the dark, and discover the island step by step. At the center: an open fire, both kitchen and energy source.
Read more about this project via the link in bio.
Client: Stichting Vuurtoreneiland
Partners: BunkerQ, Abbie Steinhauser
Team: @arupgroup@schultelestraden@meeusvandis
Contractor: @koninklijkewoudenberg
Photography: @christian_van_der_kooy
The very first brick of ‘De Woeker’ has recently been laid! Commissioned by @stadoudenaarde and designed in collaboration with @bobmcmasterarchitecten , this new cultural constellation is rising along the traces of the old city fortifications. Theatre, music, a café, education, and urban culture come together around an open event space, woven into historic buildings and contemporary architecture.
At its heart lies the Culture Street: a public route linking Cour to Jardin, city to park, old to new. Soon, a warm wooden theatre hall will welcome its first audience.
Thank you to @candela.visual for the great visuals, and to the entire team involved: Dirk Vandekerkhove, Marc Lambert, Kahle Acoustics, @util_struktuurstudies , and hp engineers.
Find out more about this project via the link in bio
Soon the curtains will be closing for the Ogterop Theatre, as the theatre steps into an exciting new chapter, temporarily dimming its lights to make way for transformation.
The iconic bonbonnière theatre hall will be carefully restored and refined, improving sightlines to the stage, while the 1970s ring of front- and backstage spaces is replaced with a future-proof design. Reusing the existing foundation, the new front of house features a timber structure and a circular façade made with reused materials.
Designed in collaboration with @paulderuiterarchitects , the new @schouwburgogterop embraces circular principles throughout. Thank you to our client @gemeente_meppel for the trust and shared ambition behind this transformation.
Read more about this project via the link in bio.
Preliminary design revealed: Zijdelwaard Child Centre
A future-oriented child centre in the heart of the neighbourhood. Timber, natural materials and a healthy learning environment for children.
Designed by KRFT in collaboration with the Municipality of Uithoorn. Ambition: Paris Proof. Completion: spring 2028.
#childcentre #architecture #timberbuilding #healthyenvironment #parisproof
The Performing Arts Centre Brighton College façade’s curved brick and flint veil gives the building its rhythm. Using 51,842 custom bricks, the architects created a gradient from white brick to flint - echoing the coastal cliffs nearby. The inverse curves keep the bricks aligned, shaping daylight canyons that bring natural light deep into the theatre.
BRICK AWARD 26 Nominee: Performing Arts Centre Brighton College, United Kingdom
Architect: krft (@krft_arch ), Thomas Dieben and Oscar Vos, Nicolas Hare Architects (@nha_llp )
Photos: Stijn Bollaert (@stijn_bollaert ), Jim Stephenson (@clickclickjim ), KRFT (@krft_arch )
The 3,000 m² Performing Arts Centre Brighton College solves a complex spatial puzzle within a dense Neo-Gothic campus.
By lifting the 400-seat theatre above ground, the architects created an open social space below - a rare move in such a compact site. The stacked programme gives the building its sculptural, almost kinetic form, reflecting the motion it’s designed to host.
BRICK AWARD 26 Nominee: Performing Arts Centre Brighton College, United Kingdom
Architect: krft (@krft_arch ), Thomas Dieben and Oscar Vos, Nicolas Hare Architects (@nha_llp )
Photos: Stijn Bollaert (@stijn_bollaert ), Jim Stephenson (@clickclickjim ), KRFT (@krft_arch )
Looking back at a fun, inspiring, and eventful year - full of special moments, impressive milestones, fun site visits, and many unforgettable memories with our amazing team. From our excursion to Belgium, the launch of our new website, and the opening of IKEC de Zevensprong in Hoorn and the library and community hall Den Blijk in Zandhoven, to capturing beautiful new project photography, attending several award ceremonies, and winning the Archello Awards in three categories! We also said goodbye to our dear colleague John as we celebrated his well-deserved retirement, and ended the year with an intimate and buzzing Christmas party with the best team in the world. Grateful for all the highlights of 2025 and very excited for what 2026 will bring.
Merry Christmas from us to you, and a Happy New Year! 🥂
Last week our team visited @bura_amsterdam for the seventh edition of BURA TALKS. The evening focused on one of their core expertises, ‘Design(ed) for Change)’.
KRFT team members @alexanderbeeloo and @thom_.schreuder presented recent projects such as IKEC School Hoorn, Hembrug Bunkers, Ogterop Theatre, De Woeker Cultural site, Patchwork Highrise and Zetten Community Centre after which we engaged in inspiring conversations about BURA projects that deal with complex urban transitions.
Thank you, BURA, for inviting us. It was a pleasure to share our work and thinking, and to exchange perspectives on the challenges and ambitions that come with designing for long-term urban transformation. We admire BURA’s thoughtful approach to complex urban projects and the way strong strategy and careful design come together in work that is built to last.
#KRFT
#BURATALKS
WE WON!
What a great way to start the festive season. The Performing Arts Centre at Brighton College has won three Archello Awards, and we couldn’t be prouder!
- Building of the Year (Jury Vote)
- Cultural Building of the Year (Public Vote)
- Architecture & Brick Award (Public Vote)
A huge thank you to everyone who voted, your support truly means a lot.
And our sincere thanks to @archello for this honourable recognition.
Here’s to our incredible team, our brilliant collaboration with @nha_llp , and our wonderful client @brightoncollegeuk - now that’s something worth celebrating! 🍾
#KRFT
#BuildingOfTheYear
#Archello
#ArchelloAwards
#CulturalBuildingOfTheYear
#ArchitectureAndBrickAward
#NHA
#BrightonCollege
