Three Projects in Running for RIBA International Prize

John Hill
16. November 2021
Friendship Hospital, Satkhiraby Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA for Friendship NGO (Photo: Asif Salman, courtesy of URBANA)

Just five years old, the RIBA International Prize is one of the youngest RIBA prizes, on par with the Stirling Prize in terms of prestige but open to "all qualified architects anywhere in the world." The third edition of the biennial International Prize was delayed one year due to the coronavirus pandemic; a virtual award could not be given, since one important aspect of the prize is the jury visiting all of the shortlisted projects, wherever they are located*. The three buildings in this year's shortlist were selected, "following a rigorous judging process," from the sixteen projects that received 2021 International Awards for Excellence in July. The winner will be announced in early 2022.

Friendship Hospital, Satkhiraby Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA for Friendship NGO (Photo: Asif Salman, courtesy of URBANA)
The three projects in the running for the 2021 RIBA International Prize:

  • Friendship Hospital, Satkhira by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA for Friendship NGO: "A remote community hospital set in the fragile watery landscape of the Bengal, built to withstand the ravages of climate change"
  • James-Simon-Galerie by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin for Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz rep. by Bundesamt für Bauwesen u. Raumordnung: "A classically inspired entrance building and visitor centre for the world leading cultural destination and Unesco World Heritage Site, Museum Island"
  • Lille Langebro by WilkinsonEyre with Urban Agency for Realdania Byg A/S: "Technically innovative new cyclist and pedestrian bridge that elegantly slides open and revitalizes Copenhagen harbor"

James-Simon-Galerie by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin for Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz rep. by Bundesamt für Bauwesen u. Raumordnung (Photo: Simon Menges)
James-Simon-Galerie by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin for Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz rep. by Bundesamt für Bauwesen u. Raumordnung (Photo: Simon Menges)
The Grand Jury that will decide the 2021 RIBA International Prize:

  • Odile Decq (Jury chair), French architect and urban planner 
  • Es Devlin, British artist and designer
  • Jeanne Gang, American architect and founder of Studio Gang
  • Rossana Hu, architect and founding Partner of Neri&Hu 
  • Gustavo Utrabo, winner of the 2018 RIBA International Prize and Emerging Architect Prize

Lille Langebro by WilkinsonEyre with Urban Agency for Realdania Byg A/S (Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj)
Lille Langebro by WilkinsonEyre with Urban Agency for Realdania Byg A/S (Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj)

*RIBA provided a disclosure regarding travel for this year's award: "Due to the ongoing travel restrictions across the world, projects that the Grand Jury are unable to visit in person this year will be included in the shortlisting stage of the next edition of the RIBA International Prize."

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