16 projects selected for the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2021

Sixteen new buildings have been selected for the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2021, the prestigious biennial awards given out by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). This award is open to works made in different parts of the world, excluding the United Kingdom, considered significant and inspiring at an international level in terms of their design excellence, their architectural ambition and their meaningful social impact. The projects were selected following a rigorous evaluation process, as well as an onsite visit conducted by a local delegate appointed by RIBA. In November, the winner of the RIBA International Prize 2021 will be selected from these sixteen finalist projects. The only country excluded from the candidacies is the United Kingdom, a decision motivated by the fact that RIBA awards the Stirling Prize to buildings built in their own country, the most important prize to recognise architectures built in the United Kingdom.

The list of sixteen winners includes a range of projects diversified in terms of functions, some of which have already been presented by Floornature. The winning projects include the new entrance building and a visitor centre for Berlin's Museum Island (the James-Simon-Galerie designed by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin), a major modern art museum in Shanghai (Modern Art Museum and its Walkways designed by Atelier Deshaus), a pedestrian and cycle bridge through the heart of Copenhagen (Lille Langebro by WilkinsonEyre in collaboration with the Urban Agency), a beautiful house in Sri Lanka (Artists’ Retreat at Pittugala by Palinda Kannangara Architects), a new hospital where the healing power of nature becomes a central element (Expansion of the University Hospital of the Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation by El Equipo Mazzanti), the renovation of a family home in the province of Fujian, in China, which acts as a bridge with the building’s surroundings, joining two sea fronts (Renovation of the Captain's House by Vector Architects).
While naming the winners, RIBA president Alan Jones took the opportunity to emphasise how, in our rapidly changing world, it is essential for everyone involved – from clients to governments, to society at large – to always strive for excellence in architecture. Because well-designed and well-made works have the immense potential to improve lives and whole communities.

(Agnese Bifulco)

Images courtesy of RIBA

CAPTIONS

01 Vector Architects Alila Yangshuo China photograph by Shengliang Su
02 David Chipperfield Architects Berlin Amorepacific Headquarters South Korea photograph by Andreas Gehrke Noshe
03 Palinda Kannangara Architects Artists Retreat at Pittugala Sri Lanka photograph by Sebastian Posingis
04 gad · line+ studio Dongziguan Villagers Activity Centre China photograph by Yi Fan
05 El Equipo Mazzanti / Giancarlo Mazzanti Expansion of the University Hospital of the Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation Columbia photograph by Alejandro Arango
06 Kashef Chowdhury URBANA Friendship Hospital, Satkhira Bangladesh photograph by Asif Salman Courtesy of URBANA
07 David Chipperfield Architects Berlin James-Simon Galerie Germany photograph by Simon Menges
08 Hooba Design Group Kohan Ceram Central Office Building Iran photograph by Deed Studio
09 O-office Architects Jianxiang He Ying Jiang, Lianzhou Museum of Photography China photograph by Chao Zhang
10 Wilkinson Eyre Lille Langebro Denmark photograph by Rasmus Hjortshøj
11 Atelier Deshaus Modern Art Museum and its Walkways China photograph by Fangfang Tian
12 Allies and Morrison with Arup and AECOM Msheireb Downtown Doha Masterplan Qatar photograph by Gerry O Leary
13 Vector Architects Renovation of the Captain's House China photograph by Hao Chen
14 Purcell, Herzog de Meuron, Rocco Design Architects Tai Kwun - The Centre for Heritage and Arts_China photograph by Edmon Leong
15 MASS Design Group The National Memorial for Peace and Justice USA photo by MASS Design Group
16 Patkau Architects The Polygon Gallery Canada photograph by James Dow

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