RIBA International Awards are expanding with a new level of awards launching for 2025. Two regions - Asia Pacific and the Middle East - will act as the pilot for the first stage of the programme, recognising each region’s most transformative architecture.
This exciting development marks the beginning of a wider strategic vision to celebrate and elevate architectural excellence across RIBA International Regions. The new awards will offer greater opportunities for projects across these regions to gain international recognition and progress on the road to the International Prize.
How will it work?
Any project entered for RIBA International Awards for Excellence from eligible countries in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions will be able to opt into the new awards. RIBA International Awards for Excellence will be announced in spring 2026. The shortlist for the International Prize for the world’s most transformative building will be drawn from the winners of the International Awards for Excellence later that year. Following the successful launch of the Asia Pacific Awards and Middle East Awards, the programme is intended to grow towards greater global coverage.
Who’s eligible?
RIBA International Awards are open to any qualified architect registered with their local institution (licensed in their own country) and RIBA Members. Any project located outside the UK is able to enter the RIBA International Awards. Entries for the new Asia Pacific Award must be located within region, while entries for the Middle East Award must be located within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as part of the pilot phase (in line with our RIBA Gulf Chapter)
There are 10 new categories within the Asia Pacific and Middle East Awards, covering a diverse range of projects from built to unbuilt, design for living to adaptive reuse, sustainability to social architecture. Categories such as Future projects, Temporary architecture, and AI powered design will debut for the first time in RIBA Awards. See the full list of categories, eligible countries, and entry requirements.
RIBA Chief Executive, Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE, said:
“We’re delighted to launch our Asia Pacific and Middle East Awards to begin the extension of our international awards programme. Since our establishment almost 200 years ago, we have been committed to promoting architectural excellence around the world, and our new programme will help recognise the unique character and diversity of architecture across both regions.
As our membership continues to grow across these regions, Asia Pacific and the Middle East are ideal areas for our pilot phase. Varying in culture, environment and architectural history, they present a wide range of challenges and opportunities for architects. As the awards progress, I’m excited to see a range of creative and thoughtful solutions that not only respond to each region’s unique context, but celebrate the dynamic and evolving built environments to which they belong."
What are the key dates?
International Awards will open for entries from 18 June and close on 31 July. The Asia Pacific and Middle East shortlists will be announced in September followed by the winner announcements towards the end of the year. International Awards for Excellence will be announced in spring 2026 and International Prize at the end of 2026.
