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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today revealed the nine winning projects of its inaugural RIBA Middle East Awards, recognising the best of the region’s new architecture. The winning projects were celebrated at a special awards event on Friday 7 November, held during Dubai Design Week.

Celebrating Architectural Diversity Across the Region

This year’s winning projects showcase the ambition and diversity of the Middle East’s architecture — from inspiring civic spaces to sustainable places for learning and community. Together, they demonstrate how architecture is reshaping the future of the built environment in the region.

Among the standout achievements is the world’s first purpose-built women’s-only mosque — a landmark of equality and innovation located in Qatar. The project reimagines traditional spaces of worship as places for education, empowerment, and community, marking a major cultural shift in the Gulf.

Architecture Driving Change

Across the Middle East, architecture is addressing challenges of climate and urbanisation:

• In Riyadh, the transformation of a former airport into the world’s largest city park introduces a vital green intervention for the city.
• In Dubai, a new secondary school demonstrates how sustainable design can deliver lasting environmental impact.
• An Expo 2020 site has evolved into a vibrant civic plaza celebrating cultural diversity and community year-round.

Each winning project is united by a sensitivity to context — designed with integrity to heritage, landscape, and culture.

Global Collaboration and Regional Identity

Spanning the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, the awarded projects celebrate the breadth of architectural talent shaping the region today. Contributions from internationally acclaimed practices such as Diller Scofidio + Renfro (USA), Hopkins Architects (UK), and WOHA (Singapore) — alongside firms from Germany, Japan, and the UAE — underscore the region’s global reach and design prowess.

Together, these projects affirm the Middle East’s growing influence in contemporary architectural discourse.

Jury Statement

Kerem Cengiz, Jury Chair for the RIBA Middle East Awards, said:

“The winning projects reflect an architectural language deeply rooted in the Middle East’s evolving identity — one defined by stewardship of heritage, climate consciousness, and social transformation. Each shows how architecture can mediate between tradition and progress: preserving memory while embracing innovation.”

Awards Ceremony

The winners were celebrated during Dubai Design Week at a public event on Friday 7 November, from 7–9 PM, at Atrium 6, Dubai Design District (d3).

The ceremony included opening remarks by Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick, RIBA Chief Executive Officer, followed by an address from Kerem Cengiz, Jury Chair. Jury members will present each award category, highlighting the ideas and impact behind this year’s prized works.

2025 RIBA Middle East Award Winners

Adaptive Reuse Winner

The Serai Wing, Sharjah – Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim by ANARCHITECT
Transforms two 1950s pearl-merchant homes into a serene boutique hotel, blending Sharjah’s rich past with contemporary comfort. Exemplifies how adaptive reuse can breathe new life into historic fabric.

Design for Living Winner

Al Wasl Plaza, Dubai – Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
The centerpiece of Expo 2020 Dubai has evolved into a vibrant community hub at the heart of Expo City. Its 360° domed trellis hosts year-round light shows and performances, transforming it into a lasting cultural destination.

Future Project Winner

King Salman Park, Riyadh – Gerber Architekten (with Buro Happold and Setec)
A visionary transformation of a former airport into the world’s largest urban park, promoting biodiversity, air quality, and healthy living — aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

RIBA Member Winners

Buhais Geology Park Interpretive Centre, Al-Madam – Hopkins Architects
A series of shell-like pavilions inspired by fossilised sea urchins, blending seamlessly with the desert landscape to tell the story of the Earth’s geology and heritage.

Expo 2020 Thematic Districts, Dubai – Hopkins Architects
A human-scaled, walkable city inspired by traditional Arab urbanism. With shaded courtyards and adaptive reuse at its core, it’s now a thriving mixed-use quarter for Dubai’s future.

Social Architecture Winner

Al-Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women, Doha – Diller Scofidio + Renfro
The world’s first purpose-built contemporary women’s mosque, fostering equality and community engagement. The 4,645 m² space includes classrooms, flexible halls, and a light-filled prayer space — redefining spiritual architecture in the Gulf.

Sustainability & Resilience Winner

Jafar Centre, Dubai College – Godwin Austen Johnson (Featured image)
A LEED Gold-targeted STEM facility promoting collaborative and inclusive learning. Prioritises daylight, acoustics, and thermal comfort while replacing underused space with minimal disruption.

Temporary Architecture Winners

Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai – WOHA
A lush vertical garden oasis achieving net-zero energy and water use. Built from recyclable materials, it showcases Singapore’s sustainability innovations and welcomed over one million visitors.

World Food Waste Teahouse: ARABI-AN, Dubai – Mitsubishi Jisho Design
Constructed from tea leaves and dried fruit, forming the world’s first food-concrete structure. Fully biodegradable and relocatable, it celebrates circular design in a culturally rooted way.

RIBA President’s Closing Remarks

Chris Williamson, RIBA President, said:

“The projects recognised in the RIBA Middle East Awards show architecture’s growing influence in shaping how people live, learn, and come together across the region. They celebrate progress not only in design and technology, but in how buildings create opportunity, inclusivity, and lasting cultural value.”