RIBA International Prize 2016

The Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología (UTEC) in Lima, designed by Grafton Architects, has won the first ever RIBA International Prize. Setting a new global standard for architectural achievement, the Royal Institute of British Architects’ prize has been judged by a grand jury chaired by world-renowned architect, Richard Rogers.

The RIBA International Prize has been three years in the making. We used to award the RIBA Lubetkin Prize, which was open to RIBA members building outside the European Union. Winners told us it was one of those nice-to-win prizes, but felt it didn't compare to the prestigious Stirling Prize and the Pritzker, due to the relatively small field of competition. That is why we have set up a new International Prize, open to all qualified architects anywhere in the world.

Richard Rogers, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

Billie Tsien, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners

Kunlé Adeyemi, NLÉ

Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Former Dean & Paley Professor, UPENN

Philip Gumuchdjian, Gumuchdjian Architects

The RIBA International Prize is awarded to the project which demonstrates visionary, innovative thinking, and design excellence and makes a distinct contribution for its users and within its physical context.

As with all RIBA Awards, the judging will be formidably rigorous. The RIBA's governing body for awards, the Awards Group (comprising architects and non-architects), spend a week viewing all the materials from several hundred entries. 

This year thirty schemes around the world were visited by members of the RIBA Awards Group and an architect local to the building. The Group then chose 20 RIBA Awards for International Excellence including the winner of the RIBA International Emerging Architect, which was won by Aleph Zero for the Children Village in Brazil.