RIBA Announces 2021 International Awards for Excellence

John Hill
22. July 2021
James-Simon-Galerie by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin (Photo: Ute Zscharnt)

Postponed one year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the third biennial RIBA International Prize is underway with the announcement of the sixteen winners that comprise the longlist for the global award open to "all qualified architects anywhere in the world."

The shortlist will be announced in September and the winner of the RIBA International Prize in November, alongside the winner of the RIBA International Emerging Architect Prize. As in previous iterations, the grand jury* will visit the shortlisted projects (hence the one-year delay) to determine the winner.

The awarded buildings range from large urban masterplans and infrastructure schemes, cultural centers, hospitals and memorials to private residences. The list is below, though visit the RIBA website for more images and text on the winners.

Renovation of the Captain's House by Vector Architects (Photo: Vector Architects)

  • Alila Yangshuo by Vector Architects for Landmark Tourist Investment Company
  • Amorepacific Headquarters by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin for Amorepacific Corporation
  • Artists' Retreat at Pittugala by Palinda Kannangara Architects for J C Rathnayake
  • Dongziguan Villagers' Activity Center by gad · line+ studio for Changkou Town Government in Fuyang District of Hangzhou
  • Expansion of the University Hospital of the Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation by El Equipo Mazzanti/Giancarlo Mazzanti for Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogotá
  • Friendship Hospital, Satkhira by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA for Friendship NGO
  • James-Simon-Galerie by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin for Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz rep. by Bundesamt für Bauwesen u. Raumordnung
  • Kohan Ceram Central Office Building by Hooba Design Group for Kohan Ceram
  • Lianzhou Museum of Photography by O-office Architects/Jianxiang He & Ying Jiang for LIANZHOU FOTO Office
  • Lille Langebro by WilkinsonEyre with Urban Agency for Realdania Byg A/S
  • Modern Art Museum and its Walkways by Atelier Deshaus for Shanghai Eastern Bund Investment (Group) Co. Ltd
  • Msheireb Downtown Doha Masterplan by Allies and Morrison with Arup and AECOM for Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation
  • Renovation of the Captain's House by Vector Architects for private client
  • Tai Kwun - The Centre for Heritage and Arts by Purcell, Herzog & de Meuron and Rocco Design Architects Associates Limited for The Hong Kong Jockey Club
  • The National Memorial for Peace and Justice by MASS Design Group for Equal Justice Initiative
  • The Polygon Gallery by Patkau Architects for The Polygon Gallery

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice by MASS Design Group (Photo courtesy of Equal Justice Initiative)
*Grand Jury:

  • Odile Decq, multidisciplinary French architect and urban planner (jury chair)
  • Es Devlin, artist and stage designer
  • Jeanne Gang, founder of Studio Gang, headquartered in Chicago  
  • Rossana Hu, founding partner of Shanghai-based architecture firm Neri&Hu
  • Gustavo Utrabo, winner of the 2018 RIBA International Prize and Emerging Architect Prize

2018 winner: Children Village (Photo: Leonardo Finotti)
Previous RIBA International Prize winners:

2016 winner: UTEC (Photo: Iwan Baan)

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