22 Projects win 2024 RIBA International Awards

Projects from four continents ranging from schools to museums, private homes to metro stations have been selected for the 2024 RIBA International Awards for Excellence.

RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) selected the winners to showcase architectural excellence, and the choices reflect the changing ways in which architecture is being designed and built for current and future generations. 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.

The Prize is 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 buildings awarded International Awards for Excellence are spread across 14 countries. Each project was visited in person by a local ambassador appointed by RIBA.

The themes identified by RIBA from the International Awards for Excellence entries include climate resilience and connection to nature; creative reinvention and extension of existing architecture; and using design to create space for wellness, mindfulness, and community.

Examples of the first theme include the Bundanon Art Museum and Bridge (Australia) by Kerstin Thompson Architects picture above. In this project, a bridge housing a creative learning centre sits lightly above a wet gully, resilient to seasonal flood. Other winners in this category include the Green Field Factory (Bangladesh) by Nakshabid Architects, which is designed to support 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.

Instances of creative reinvention and extension of existing architecture include Morland Mixité Capitale (France) by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin and
CALQ, Six Bricolage-houses (China) by ARCity Office, Veemgebouw (Netherlands) by Caruso St John Architects.

As examples of apace for wellness, mindfulness and community through design, the RIBA judges have selected Punchbowl Mosque (Australia) by Angelo Candalepas and Associates; Sharanam Centre for Rural Development (India) by Jateen Lad; and Shah Muhammad Mohsin Khan Mausoleum (Bangladesh) by Sthapotik.

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Announcing the winners, 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.”
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More on the winners.

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