RIBA International Prize 2021 Winner, Architecture Awards, Friendship Hospital Building Photos, Architects

2021 RIBA International Prize Winner

26 January 2022

Friendship Hospital, Satkhira, Bangladesh aerial photo
photos © Asif Salman

Winner of RIBA International Prize 2021

Wednesday 26th January – the RIBA has announced the winner of the world’s best new building. The Friendship Hospital in Bangladesh designed by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA will be awarded the RIBA International Prize, the global accolade for design excellence and social impact.

Friendship Hospital, Satkhira, Bangladesh - 2021 RIBA International Prize Winner 2021 RIBA International Prize Winner - Friendship Hospital, Satkhira, Bangladesh

The remote community hospital was commissioned by the NGO, Friendship, and provides a medical lifeline for thousands of people from Satkhira, an area of the coast that was heavily affected by a major cyclone in 2007.

2021 RIBA International Prize Winner - Friendship Hospital in Satkhira, Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, Satkhira, Bangladesh - 2021 RIBA International Prize Winner

Winning this global accolade, the hospital was described by the Grand Jury as embodying an “architecture of humanity” and as an “exemplar of innovative architecture that addresses critical global issues – unequal access to healthcare and the crushing impact of climate breakdown on vulnerable communities.”

Friendship Hospital Bangladesh

Situated in the southern region of Bangladesh, the project faced demanding environmental conditions due to rising sea levels impacted by climate change.

Friendship Hospital building in Satkhira, Bangladesh - 2021 RIBA International Prize Winner 2021 RIBA International Prize Winner - Friendship Hospital building in Satkhira, Bangladesh

The Friendship Hospital is an inspiring example of how architecture, even on a modest budget, can strengthen and empower remote rural areas.

2021 RIBA International Prize Winner - Friendship Hospital Bangladesh
Friendship Hospital by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA © Asif Salman

A video of the Friendship Hospital building in Satkhira, Bangladesh:

Film on YouTube

Architect Kashef Chowdhury said:

“In a sublimely important moment, RIBA and the jurors have identified a project from the global periphery to bring to the centre of architectural discourse and be the subject of one of the most important global awards. I am encouraged that this may inspire more of us to commit, not in spite of, but because of limitations of resources and means, to an architecture of care both for humanity and for nature, to rise collectively to the urgencies that we face today on a planetary scale.”

Friendship Hospital Bangladesh - 2021 RIBA International Prize Winner
Friendship Hospital by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA © Asif Salman

Runa Khan, Founder and Executive Director of Friendship said:

“Having worked with communities most impacted by climate change over the last 20 years, I have seen, time and time again, proof of my belief that ‘The poor cannot afford poor solutions’! Friendship Hospital brings new hope of a better tomorrow to some of the most climate impacted people on this planet.”

Friendship Hospital building in Satkhira, Bangladesh Friendship Hospital building in Satkhira, Bangladesh

Previously on e-architect:

15 Nov 2021

RIBA International Prize 2021

Three exceptional architecture projects from around the globe are today, (Tuesday 16 November) revealed as the 2021 shortlist for the RIBA International Prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The prestigious biennial award celebrates projects that demonstrate design excellence and social impact.

The Shortlisted RIBA International Prize 2021 projects in contention for the world’s best new building are:

Friendship Hospital, Satkhira, Bangladesh, by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA
A remote community hospital set in the fragile watery landscape of the Bengal, built to withstand the ravages of climate change.

Friendship Hospital Bangladesh Friendship Hospital Bangladesh
Friendship Hospital by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA © Asif Salman

Other buildings on the shortlist:

James-Simon-Galerie

James Simon Galerie
James-Simon-Galerie by David Chipperfield Architects © Simon Menges

Lille Langebro

Lille Langbro Copenhagen
Lille Langbro by WilkinsonEyre and Urban Agency © Rasmus Hjortshøj

RIBA International Prize 2021 Shortlist

Architecture Awards

Website: RIBA International Awards

RIBA International Prize 2021 Shortlist images / information from Royal Institute of British Architects

Location: London, UK

RIBA Architecture Awards

RIBA Stirling Prize

RIBA Awards

RIBA Royal Gold Medal

RIBA International Awards 2011

RIBA Special Awards

Website: RIBA Awards 2016

International Architecture Awards

International Architecture Awards 2016
Air Traffic Control Tower and Technical Building, Istanbul
image from architect

International Architecture Awards 2015
House P
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International Architecture Awards 2013

International Architecture Awards 2012

Architecture Awards

WAF Awards

Mies van der Rohe Awards

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