The RIBA International Prize, established in 2015, is the first global prize for architecture that has been created by the RIBA. The prestigious prize is open to any registered architect in the world and is awarded to a new building of any size, type or budget.
The prize celebrates architectural ambition on a global scale and is an invitation to showcase how design is addressing the concerns of today.
We're calling for practices worldwide to submit their projects for consideration for the RIBA International Prize 2018 - from small scale innovative designs to major cultural developments - all will be considered in this search for an example of the best in civic architecture today. Projects should have been completed within the past two years, and the winning building will exemplify visionary and innovative thinking, excellence of execution but also the distinct contribution that it makes to its users and to its physical context.
The winner of the RIBA International Prize will be selected following a rigorous judging process that will see two expert panels of jurors visit each of the shortlisted buildings twice in person, before the Grand Jury, chaired by Elizabeth Diller, selects four finalists to visit in person for a final time; the winning building will be announced in November 2018.
The prize brings international attention to the most inspirational and significant new buildings created across the globe but also to a range of the industry's leading talents, and the visionary clients that have commissioned these buildings. Global coverage helped our inaugural prize to reach audiences worldwide to celebrate the finalists. This year we are working with a select group of media partners to share the stories that the RIBA International Prize helps to uncover. These include our professional partner, Dezeen; our Lifestyle partner, Wallpaper and our Travel media partner, BA High Life.
In 2016 the RIBA awards committee visited buildings in over 20 countries in five continents. Projects shortlisted for the 2016 prize represented major new additions to their contexts and communities from Azerbaijan to Mexico City, Norway to Peru; from the finely restored industrial complex of a new contemporary arts centre in The Azores, Arquipelago Contemporary Arts Centre, to a war memorial in Northern France engraved with the names of the hundreds of thousands who died in the First World War, The Ring of Remembrance.
The RIBA discovered a range of innovative responses to the role of public architecture through the RIBA Awards for International Excellence, which named 21 recipients and recognising new buildings from all corners of the globe.
Looking to the future, the RIBA International Emerging Architect Prize was awarded to Rural Urban Framework HKUrban Lab, The University of Hong Kong for their ambitious plan for Angdong Hospital in Baojing County, China.
The inaugural prize was awarded to Grafton Architects for their outstanding university building, UTEC (Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología) in Lima, Peru. The innovative ‘vertical campus’ structure was dubbed “a modern-day Machu Picchu” by the RIBA Grand Jury panel.
Speaking after their win, Grafton Architects said “When we heard that our Project for the University Campus of UTEC in Lima, Peru had been chosen as the first International Prize by the RIBA, it was not only a wonderful moment for us as the architects, but also a global endorsement of our Client’s belief in contemporary architecture.”
The prize brings international attention to the most inspiration and significant new buildings created across the globe but also to a range of the industry's leading talents, and the visionary clients that have commissioned these buildings.
If you have a project that you would like us to consider for a RIBA Award for Excellence and the RIBA International Prize, enter now. Full entry requirements are available on the awards entry system.
Media Partners
Dezeen | Professional Partner
This year we are working with Dezeen, as our professional partner, bringing their critical eye and pioneering editorial voice in the architecture and design community to bear on this prestigious award.
Wallpaper* | Lifestyle Partner
We are pleased to be working again with Wallpaper* as our lifestyle partner, having worked with Wallpaper* in 2016* to host a panel discussion at the Venice Biennale and to explore the intersection between architecture and design - Wallpaper* offer a creative take and personal insight on the human face of the industry and help us to convey the role buildings have to play in everyday life.
BA High Life | Travel Media Partner
We’re excited to welcome BA High Life as our travel media partner; as a truly global award we look forward to working with this prestigious title to explore the concerns and exciting opportunities which international travel affords the architecture industry - bringing global expertise to address local challenges and enabling architects worldwide to share ideas and make real change to the face of the built environment.
