Short Description
RIBA International Awards welcomes any qualified architect from across the globe registered with their local institution. Applicants are asked to provide evidence of their membership of an organisation such as the RIBA, or registration with an architecture registration board. If the applicant is not a member of any such organisation, we will need details of qualification certificates and the academic institute from which they graduated.
Eligibility
To enter, the lead architect must:
- be a qualified architect registered with their local institution
- Submit a project outside of the UK
- Submit an architectural structure that has been completed between July 2020 and July 2024. Asia Pacific Awards and Middle East Awards: for Future Projects and AI-Powered Design categories, the project must have been designed in this timeframe.
- Submit an architectural structure that has been in occupation for a minimum of one year prior to submitting. Asia Pacific Award and Middle East Awards: not applicable to categories Future Projects, AI Powered Design, and Temporary Architecture.
- Have the client’s permission to submit the project
Countries/regions eligible to participate
For RIBA International Awards, any project located outside the UK is able to enter. You are also eligible to enter the Asia Pacific Awards and Middle East Awards if your project is located in the countries/regions listed below:
Asia Pacific Award
Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papa New Guinea , Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam.
Please note, those shortlisted for the Asia Pacific Awards will be required to buy a minimum of one ticket to attend and present their project in person to a live judging panel at the inaugural RIBA Architecture Festival Asia (RAFA) from 16 to 17 December in Shenzhen, China. If attending the event presents barriers for you, please get in touch awards@riba.org to discuss any requirements.
Middle East Award
Bahrain, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates.
Submission Requirements
- Project name
- Project address (including county) and postcode if applicable
- Gross internal area in sq m, in the case of largely landscape/ urban design projects gross external area in sq m if applicable
- Net internal area in sq m if applicable
- Contract value/building cost of the project, including build and fit-out if done/overseen by the architect (excluding land costs and fees) if applicable
- Planning approval date and occupation date of the project if applicable
- credit line (i.e. the architect(s)/practice(s)/designer(s). If you worked in collaboration with another practice or architect, you must all be in agreement on the entry and how the project should be credited)
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
- Adaptive reuse award
Showcasing projects that exemplify adaptive reuse through the creative transformation of existing buildings, contributing significantly to environmental, social, or economic sustainability. The project should highlight the value of conservation, retrofitting, and the revitalisation of historic architecture. - AI powered design award
Highlighting projects that have applied AI technologies in any phase of the design to fabrication process. The project should focus on the degree of innovative application, technology integration, and actual benefits. - Design for living award
Recognising projects that enhance the quality of life, comfort, and wellbeing of their residents. The project should demonstrate innovation, adaptability, and a strong response to modern and different living needs. - Future projects award
Rewarding visionary and forward thinking unbuilt or conceptual projects that offer innovative design solutions and anticipate future trends in the built environment, as well as resolve big societal issues. The project should showcase innovation, feasibility, and their potential to influence the future. - Mixed use award
Championing projects that successfully integrate multiple uses into a single building or development, contributing to the vibrancy and sustainability of urban environments. The project should demonstrate the creativity and functional design that blend different uses and reflect innovative responses to the challenges of urban growth and density. - RIBA Member award
Celebrating projects submitted by a RIBA Member for outstanding architectural excellence, overall impact and significant contribution to architecture in the region. - Social architecture award
Commending projects that deliver meaningful and lasting social benefits through human-centred design. The project should emphasise the broader contribution to its neighbouring community and wider society. - Sustainability and resilience award
Celebrating projects that demonstrate outstanding achievement in sustainable design and resilience to environmental challenges. The project should emphasise building solutions that prioritise carbon reduction across the full life cycle from design and construction to operation and end-of-life. - Temporary architecture award
Showcasing non-permanent architecture that successfully transforms a space, engages the public, or responds to a particular event, place, or cultural moment. The project should highlight spatial interventions designed with temporality in mind – whether through a limited lifespan, removability, or relocation. - Urban regeneration award
Recognising projects that demonstrate excellence in the transformation of urban space. The project should demonstrate its ambition in shaping the future of the built environment, and its capacity to contribute meaningfully to the wider context, whilst respecting its urban heritage.
Only projects eligible for visits in the categories will be considered for the International Awards for Excellence. Non-visited categories such as AI Powered Design, Future Projects, and Temporary Architecture will be judged separately.
Entry Fee
The entry fee is dependent on the contract value of the project.
For Asia Pacific Award and Middle East Award, the entry fee will cover one Award category, then per additional category it’s £300.
| Project construction cost | General entry fee | RIBA Member entry fee |
| Under £2m | £250 | £200 |
| £2m to £10m | £550 | £440 |
| Over £10m | £800 | £640 |
Location
United Kingdom
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 31 July 2025
Website Link: https://www.architecture.com/awards-and-competitions-landing-page/awards/riba-international-awards?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&UTM_campaign=374bd5b8-28d2-4b83-bc9d-3daa3dced934
