Bjarke Ingels, David Chipperfield and Shigeru Ban in contention as RIBA names shortlist for 'best building in the world'
by Kim Megson | 10 May 2016
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced a star-studded shortlist in its bid to celebrate the best building in the world.
Zaha Hadid, Bjarke Ingels, Shigeru Ban and David Chipperfield are among the architects in contention to win the first RIBA International Prize. Thirty projects from 50 countries have made the shortlist and will be visited by the RIBA Awards Committee in the coming months.
In its inaugural year, the prize will be awarded to “the most significant and inspirational building” completed within the past three years (between 1 January 2013 and 1 February 2016). In following years, the prize will be awarded to a building completed within two years.
The ruling means that the Heydar Aliyev Centre, created by the late Zaha Hadid, is in contention alongside Ingels’ recently completed VIA at West 57 ’courtscraper’ in New York.
David Chipperfield Architects are nominated for two museums – Saint Louis Art Museum and Museo Jumex in Mexico City.
The International Prize is open to any building in any country, irrespective of its function or budget. Shortlisted projects range from large urban infrastructure schemes to private residential projects, cultural destinations and places of worship.
According to RIBA, “the winning building will demonstrate visionary, innovative thinking and excellence of execution, while making a distinct contribution to its users and to its physical context.”
The award replaces RIBA’s annual Lubetkin Prize, which the association cancelled in 2013 for being too narrow in its remit, as it was exclusive to RIBA members.
RIBA president Jane Duncan said: “We have been delighted with the response to our inaugural RIBA International Prize, which has brought a huge range of exceptional entries from all around the globe. It will be fascinating to see insights from the judges and entrants into the power and value of great architecture, wherever you are in the world.”
The 30 buildings will be whittled down to 20 after the site visits. The competition's Grand Jury, led by Richard Rogers, will then select six project finalists, which will be visited in Q3.
Fellow jurors include Kunlé Adeyemi, founder and principal of NLÉ and Philip Gumuchdjian, founder of Gumuchdjian Architects and chair of RIBA Awards.
The following leisure projects are included on the shortlist:
| Building | Location | Architect | Building Type |
| Arquipelago Contemporary Arts Centre | Ribeira Grande, The Azores | Menos é Mais, Arquitectos Associados, João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto, Lda. | Restoration / Conservation |
| European Hansemuseum | Lübeck, Germany | Studio Andreas Heller Architects & Designers | Restoration / Conservation |
| Fine Arts Museum of Asturias | Oviedo, Spain | Francisco Mangado - Mangado y Asociados | Restoration / Conservation |
| Heydar Aliyev Centre | Baku, Azerbaijan | Zaha Hadid Architects DiA Holding | Culture |
| Museo Jumex | Mexico City, Mexico | David Chipperfield Architects, Taller Abierto de Arquitectura y Urbanismo (TAAU) | Culture |
| Oita Prefecture Art Museum | Oita, Japan | Shigeru Ban Architects | Culture |
| Public Library of Constitucion | Constitucion, Chile | Sebastian Irarrazaval Arquitectos | Civic |
| Saint Louis Art Museum | St. Louis, USA | David Chipperfield Architects, HOK | Culture |
| SkyTerrace | Soo Khian Chan, Singapore | SCDA Architects Pte Ltd | Residential / Hotel |
| Stormen Konserthus | Bodø, Norway | DRDH Architects | Culture |
| The Ring of Remembrance, International WWI Memorial of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette | Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, France | AAPP | Culture |
| VIA at West 57th | New York, USA | BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group, SLCE Architects | Residential / Hotel |
David Chipperfield Architects have been nominated for two museums, including Museuo Jumex in Mexico City Credit: Simon Menges and Moritz Bernoully
Shigery Ban is nominated for the Oita Prefecture Art Museum in Japan Credit: Hiroyuki Hirai
The late Zaha Hadid is nominated for the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan Credit: Iwan Baan
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced a star-studded shortlist in its bid to celebrate the best building in the world. Zaha Hadid, Bjarke Ingels, Shigeru Ban and David Chipperfield are among the architects in contention to win the first RIBA International Prize. Thirty projects from 50 countries have made the shortlist and will be visited by the RIBA Awards Committee in the coming months. In its inaugural
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