The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the winners of its first-ever Middle East Awards, spotlighting architectural excellence that blends innovation, sustainability and cultural relevance across the region. The list of nine distinguished projects celebrates how built environments in the Gulf and beyond are being shaped by a new mindset—one that honours tradition while daring to chart new futures.
Among the Emirates, multiple projects stood out: the iconic Al Wasl Plaza in Dubai won the “Design for Living” award for reinventing the central gathering point of Expo 2020 into a dynamic, year-round community venue. The Jafar Centre at Dubai College received the “Sustainability & Resilience” award for its cutting-edge STEM facility that emphasises natural light, acoustics and energy-efficient design. In Sharjah, the Buhais Geology Park Interpretive Centre drew attention for its fossil-inspired architecture embedded in the desert terrain, while the Serai Wing project transformed 1950s pearl-merchant homes into a boutique hotel, securing recognition in adaptive reuse.
These projects underscore a broader shift in the region’s approach to architecture: not only focusing on form or spectacle, but on long-term value, community impact and environmental harmony. The awards signal that the Middle East is creating architecture with a global voice and a distinctly local pulse.
As the region grapples with rapid urbanisation, climate change and evolving cultural norms, the winning works demonstrate how architecture can respond with purpose, empower communities and preserve identity—all while reaching for design excellence.