The Institute of British Architects announced the winning projects including the footbridge on Štvanice

London – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) today announced 34 winning projects in the RIBA International Awards for Excellence 2026. All winning projects, including the Prague Štvanická Bridge, are now competing for a place in the shortlist for the prestigious RIBA International Prize, which is among the highest honors in architecture. The winner will be announced at the ceremonial presentation of the RIBA Stirling Prize on October 15, 2026, in London.

This year's selection, which celebrates inspiring architecture from 15 countries and four continents, directly responds to urgent social, environmental, and urban challenges worldwide, wrote the Building Review Journal. Whether the awarded projects address climate change, migration, housing, rapid urbanization, or infrastructure, they demonstrate how thoughtful design can positively impact everyday life.

The winning projects show how existing buildings can be transformed into vibrant centers of culture, community, and civic life. In Norway, for example, the Kunstsilo project by Mestres Wåge, BAX, and Mendoza Partida repurposed a former grain silo into a contemporary art museum, while the Swiss project Transformation Warmbächli by BHSF Architektur & Städtebau utilized a former warehouse of Chocolat Tobler for cooperative housing.

Another common theme among several of this year's winning projects is design responding to climatic conditions and the use of local materials that offer natural cooling methods for buildings and reduce their carbon footprint. In France, the Château de Beaucastel project by Studio Mumbai and Studio Méditerranée utilizes airflow and shading to create a naturally cooled winery that honors its historical context.

The Parikrama project by SPASM Design Architects in India employs shaded walkways and natural ventilation to address high temperatures in the region. In Australia, the Burnt Earth Beach House by Wardle studio transforms former beach shacks into a multigenerational family home, using handcrafted terracotta to meet the demands of the exposed coastal environment.

The Urban Agriculture Office in Vietnam by VTN Architects surrounds its facade with greenery, cooling the building while allowing for the cultivation of local food right in the heart of the city.

The Norwegian project The Plus by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group has emerged as one of the most significant examples of sustainability, being a carbon-neutral furniture factory and public park built from local wood, utilizing solar energy and rainwater to reduce energy consumption by up to 90 percent.

The winning projects also demonstrate how design can strengthen communities by creating new spaces for education and culture. In Uganda, the Bidi Bidi Arts Centre by Hassell provides a new, essential space for art and community in one of the largest refugee camps in the world, while the Australian Darlington Public School by fjcstudio directly integrates indigenous heritage into modern classroom environments.

The winning projects include works from renowned global firms as well as independent studios. "This year's RIBA international awards reflect the breadth and ambition of contemporary architecture in the best sense, through works that are globally diverse but united by a common commitment to improving people's living conditions," said RIBA Chair Chris Williamson.