The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today revealed 22 winners of the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2024. The winning projects have been selected from entries to the world’s most prestigious award for architecture, the RIBA International Prize.
The RIBA International Awards for Excellence celebrate the most exemplary architecture from across the world and the 22 winning projects represent a significant cultural shift in the way that architecture is designed and built for current and future generations. From private homes and subway stations, to museums and schools, each project is an example of the highest calibre of architectural response to social, cultural and environmental challenges.
Showcasing architectural excellence across four continents, key themes illustrated include:
Climate resilience and connection to nature
Examples include: Bundanon Art Museum and Bridge (Australia) by Kerstin Thompson Architects, in which a bridge housing a creative learning centre sits lightly above a wet gully, resilient to seasonal flood; Green Field Factory (Bangladesh) by Nakshabid Architects, which establishes a close bond between humans and nature while supporting the eco-system of the building’s surroundings; and Liknon (Greece) by K-Studio, which celebrates the ancient vineyard and natural landscape by allowing the intervention to embrace the sloping typography.
Creative reinvention and extension of existing architecture
Examples include: Morland Mixité Capitale (France) by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin and CALQ, which transforms a previously introverted building complex into an open and accessible urban campus; Six Bricolage-houses (China) by ARCity Office, which renovated six houses to create a new typology of ‘bricolage architecture’ by inserting mini public spaces into the dwellings; and Veemgebouw (Netherlands) by Caruso St John Architects, which converted an industrial building, originally designed for storage, into a public asset with a mixture of uses.
Space for wellness, mindfulness and community through design
Examples include: Punchbowl Mosque (Australia) by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, which inspired an entire city to use its rare public interior as a meeting place for all people; Sharanam Centre for Rural Development (India) by Jateen Lad, which creates a refuge of dignity and wellbeing for the poorest of the rural poor; and Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan Mausoleum (Bangladesh) by Sthapotik, which endeavours to establish social harmony amongst all religions and groups through communal spaces that promote shared understanding.
All projects are now in the running for the fourth RIBA International Prize, which will be announced in November 2024 alongside the winner of the RIBA International Emerging Architect Prize.
Established in 2015, the RIBA International Prize is one of architecture’s highest global accolades, awarded to a building that demonstrates visionary thinking, originality, excellence of execution, and makes a distinct contribution to its users, surrounding environment and communities.
The bi-annual Prize is one of the world’s most rigorously judged architecture awards, with every shortlisted building visited by a group of international design experts. It is open to any registered architect in the world and awarded to a building of any size, type or budget.
The 22 award-winning buildings are spread across 14 countries. Each project has been visited in person by a local ambassador appointed by RIBA.
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: “Supporting and working with architects and practices around the globe to promote excellence in architecture is central to RIBA’s purpose. Now in its fourth iteration as an established part of the RIBA Awards calendar, the International Awards recognise and celebrate ambitious and impactful buildings across the world that create meaningful change. It is a privilege for us to reward this collection of the world’s most exceptional buildings.”
Simon Henley, Chair of the RIBA Awards Group, said: “Each of these projects makes an exceptional contribution to its local area and demonstrates a stimulating architectural response to RIBA’s stringent social, environmental and design values. On behalf of the RIBA Awards Group, I am delighted to award and celebrate these exceptional buildings, their architects and clients across the world.”
The 22 winners of the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2024
- Adega Pico Winery & Hotel by SAMI-Arquitectos in collaboration with DRDH Architects (Bandeiras, Portugal)
- Ahmedabad University Centre by Stephane Paumier Architects (Ahmedabad, India)
- Bioclimatic School in Guécélard by Atelier Julien Boidot (Guécélard, France)
- Bundanon Art Museum & Bridge by Kerstin Thompson Architects (Illaroo, Australia)
- Casa Catarina by Taller Hector Barraso (Valle de Braco, Mexico)
- Collège Hampaté Bá by Article 25 (Niamey, Niger)
- Engineering Laboratories | Pontificia Universidad Javeriana by Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos TALLER Architects (Bogotá, Colombia)
- Green Field Factory of Karupannya Rangpur Limited by Nakshabid Architects (Rangpur, Bangladesh)
- Jacoby Studios by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin (Paderborn, Germany)
- Jadgal Elementary School by DAAZ Office (Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran)
- Jahad Metro Plaza by KA architecture Studio (Tehran, Iran)
- Jingdezhen Pengjia Alley Compound by Beijing AN-DESIGN Architects (Jingdezhen City, China)
- Liknon by K-Studio (Vourliotes, Greece)
- Modulus Matrix – 85 Social Housing in Cornellà by Peris+Toral Arquitectes (Cornellà, Spain)
- Morland Mixité Capitale by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin and CALQ (Paris, France)
- Neue Nationalgalerie refurbishment by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin (Berlin, Germany)
- Punchbowl Mosque by Angelo Candalepas and Associates (Sydney, Australia)
- Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan Mausoleum by Sthapotik (Manikgonj, Bangladesh)
- Sharanam Centre for Rural Development by Jateen Lad (near Pondicherry, India)
- Six Bricolage-houses by ARCity Office (Shenzhen City, China)
- Thapar University Learning Laboratory by McCullough Mulvin Architects (Patiala, India)
- Veemgebouw by Caruso St John Architects (Eindhoven, Netherlands)
Images and citations for each of the projects can be viewed and downloaded here.
Notes to editors:
1. For further press information please contact lauren.teague@ing-media.com
2. Open to any qualified architect, the RIBA International Awards are among the world’s most rigorously judged architecture awards for buildings outside the UK. They provide recognition for architects at the top of their profession, in-line with RIBA’s mission to promote global excellence in architecture.
3. The Grand Jury will be responsible for visiting the shortlist and selecting the winner of the International Prize, following an initial selection by RIBA’s Awards Group and visits from local ambassadors.
4. This year, the RIBA recruited local ambassadors to visit an initial selection of entries made by the RIBA Awards Group. Local ambassadors will be qualified architects with local knowledge and expertise. They will present their recommendations, thoughts and analysis of the project they have visited to the RIBA Awards Group to inform decisions. Find the list of 35 RIBA Local Ambassadors here.
5. The International Prize and Emerging Architect Award shortlist and winner will be announced in November 2024.
6. Previous winners of the RIBA International Prize include the Friendship Hospital in Satkhira, by Bangladeshi architect Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA. The low-cost building was designed to work with and withstand the tangible climate change effects of rising sea water in the surrounding area.
7. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities, and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for updates.
