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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced a new global architecture award for the world’s best new building.

Now open for entry, the RIBA International Prize aims to discover the world’s best new buildings and celebrate the value of architecture to communities worldwide. Open to any qualified architect in the world, the prize will go to a building of any type or budget in any country, and which exemplifies design excellence, displays architectural ambition and delivers meaningful social impact. In addition to being the most significant and inspirational building of the year, the winning project will demonstrate visionary, innovative thinking and excellence of execution, while making a distinct contribution to its users as well as its physical context.

The winner of the 2016 RIBA International Prize will be chosen by a Grand Jury led by acclaimed architect Richard Rogers and also featuring Kunlé Adeyemi, founder and principal of NLÉ, and Philip Gumuchdjian, founder of Gumuchdjian Architects, and Chair of RIBA’s awards committee. The full jury will be announced in due course. 

RIBA’s rigorous judging process will see two expert panels of jurors visit each of the shortlisted buildings twice in person, before the Grand Jury selects six finalists and visits the projects once more to decide on the winning building. The winner of the first RIBA International Prize will be announced at a ceremony in London in December 2016.

RIBA President Jane Duncan explains that a key objective of the RIBA International Prize is to uncover the world’s most innovative and visionary architecture and spark local and global debates about the positive impact that well-designed buildings and places can have on their communities and environment.

Richard Rogers, Chair of the Grand Jury and founding director of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, said he looked forward to discovering how architecture was reacting to and resolving issues posed by the changing demands of a global community. The jury also seeks to establish the RIBA International Prize as a new standard by which to assess and promote design excellence on a global scale.

Kunlé Adeyemi, Founding Director of NLÉ Projects and fellow judge commented that they hoped to discover the most exciting and ambitious buildings being created across the world. This being the first time RIBA has opened their awards to any architect from any country, he said he looked forward to exploring how architects worldwide were responding to the unique challenges and opportunities of their local geographies with resourceful and innovative solutions.

The RIBA International Prize is being held in association with the UIA (Union Internationale des Architectes). All entries should be submitted by Tuesday 9 February 2016.