The awards recognise some of the world’s most imaginative, dramatic and green buildings and the 13 winners are now eligible for the RIBA Lubetkin Prize for the best international building by an RIBA member which will be announced in September.
The Central Market souk in Abu Dhabi by Foster + Partners is described as being a project that has taken elements of Arabic architecture and a shaded souk and applied them to a modern mall with dappled shade, fountain, pools, networks of courtyards and alleys. It has roof and wall panels that slide to close or open the building depending on the time of year.
Also by the same architecture firm is the Aleph in Argentina, a nine storey on Avenida Juana Manso, the main route through Puerto Madero. Drawing on local architectural traditions, the 50 apartments feature vaulted living spaces and deep, sheltered terraces that exploit the local climate and maximise views towards the city and Rio de la Plata.
One of the most spectacular designs is the Halley VI Antarctic Research Station in Antarctica by Hugh Broughton Architects. It has modules supported on giant steel skis and hydraulically driven legs that allow the station to mechanically ‘climb’ up out of the snow every year. And as the ice shelf moves out towards the ocean, the modules can be lowered and towed by bulldozers further inland, and eventually taken apart when the time comes.
Gardens by the Bay in Singapore by Wilkinson Eyre Architects is described as an outstanding example of sustainability in action, not only representing best practice but also communicating important messages about these issues to a wider public.
The other winners are the National University of Singapore Faculty Housing by MKPL Architects, the Galaxy SOHO in China by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Green Way social housing in New York City by Grimshaw, the Francis Gregory Library in Fort David Park, US, by Adjaye Associates, the William O Lockridge/Bellevue Library by the same firm, the Fitzgerald Street social housing development in Australia by JCY Architects and Urban Designers, the GOTA Residence in Zimbabwe by Studio Seilern Architects which is perched on an enormous granite boulder, the Bodrum International Airport in Turkey by Tabanlioglu Architects.
‘The RIBA International Awards set the standard for great architecture. It is wonderful to recognise such a wide variety of amazing buildings from around the world. These are projects that represent architectural excellence on an international level, projects that go beyond the brief and exceed the client’s expectations,’ said Angela Brady, RIBA president.
‘Investing in good design for our towns and communities is vital. Even in hard times we must continue to create vibrant and inspiring buildings and places for future generations to use and enjoy. This year’s winners are hugely exciting and I wish the RIBA International Award winners the best of luck as contenders for the RIBA Lubetkin Prize,’ she added.
