China 17 September 2025 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has revealed the 63 finalists for its inaugural Asia Pacific Awards, showcasing some of the most creative and impactful architecture across the region.

The shortlist projects reflect architecture that is deeply embedded in the distinctive cultures and character of the Asia Pacific. As a region on the frontline of complex challenges from climate change to rapid urbanisation, the projects demonstrate how the region is responding, introducing innovative new approaches to living and highlighting how architecture can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.

From the world’s largest waste-to-energy power plant in China, to a floating university in Bangladesh tackling flood risk and poverty, the shortlist reflects how the region is reimagining its future in socially and environmentally sustainable ways. Projects range from the transformation of an abandoned rural school into a hub for new farmers, to Sydney’s new metro system reflecting natural, indigenous and social history, and the regeneration of historic ceramic factories into a sustainable cultural district – showcasing architecture that bridges tradition with contemporary innovation.

The winners of the Asia Pacific Awards will be announced at the RIBA Architecture Festival Asia (RAFA) on 17 December 2025 in Shenzhen. The festival will bring together architects, developers, and policymakers to explore cutting-edge ideas, with live judging sessions leading up to a gala dinner where the winners will be announced.

Spanning 13 countries – including Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam – the shortlist brings together talent from across the Asia Pacific and beyond, with projects designed by practices from the region as well as the UK, USA, and Europe.

Regenerative design

From tackling waste to building climate resilience, many shortlisted projects put sustainability at their core. The Shenzhen Energy Ring by Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Gottlieb Paludan Architects converts 5,000 tons of waste a day into clean power, while in Dhaka, BRAC University by WOHA, floats above a restored lake, creating green space and flood protection for 20,000 students and the local community.? On Hong Kong’s Yim Tin Tsai Island, the E.CO Rotunda revives bamboo traditions and Hakka culture to preserve indigenous landscapes in a contemporary gathering space, and in India, the DY Patil University Centre of Excellence by Foster + Partners combines shaded courtyards, a vast rooftop garden and ulta-low water to create a low-impact campus for 3,000 students.

Design for community and culture

Other projects reimagine how buildings can support people and traditions. In Bangladesh, the Zebun Nessa Mosque By Studio Morphogenis Ltd. is the country’s first net-zero mosque, blending worship with women’s empowerment and ecological stewardship. In India, the Bandhan Residential School of Business by Abin Design Studio incorporates farming and gardens that feed its community and sustain local livelihoods. In China, villages and schools are being revived: the Revitalization of Yong’an Village by the College of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tongji University, combats poverty and strengthens Bai heritage through education and cultural spaces, while the Dialogue with Nature—Commune STORE by Atelier Global (Mount Wuyi, Fujian) transforms an abandoned school into a hub for farmers and community life.

Urban revitalisation

In cities, architects are finding new life for historic and underused spaces. The Taoxichuan Ceramic Culture Industrial Park by Jie Zhang, Beijing An-Design Architects and THUPDI (China), turns former historic ceramic factories into a vibrant cultural district, supporting local jobs and tourism, whilst preserving the city’s heritage. Sydney’s Waterloo Metro Station by John McAslan + Partners uses the area’s Indigenous, natural, and social history to connect underground platforms with the city above. In Shenzhen, the Qianhai Museum by the Architectural Design and Research Institute of SCUT (Shenzhen) and Shenzhen Lotus Cultural Base by NODE Architecture & Urbanism, are reshaping public infrastructures into accessible, educational landmarks that connect communities with their heritage, nature, and urban surroundings.

AI, tech and innovation

The shortlist also showcases cutting-edge use of AI and digital design. In Singapore, The GEAR by KAJIMA DESIGN, is a “smart wellness building” that uses AI, sensors, and data to continuously adapt to its users. In China, the Rui Xue Multi-Hall by College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, combines robotic fabrication and prefabricated timber to create a sculptural community space that blends seamlessly into its rural landscape.

Ziyu Zhang, Founding Partner of Büro Ziyu Zhuang and Jury Chair for the Design for Living category: “These projects are firmly rooted in the distinctive cultures and genius of the Asia Pacific region, exemplifying exceptional execution and a complete, cohesive cycle from concept to lived experience. Meanwhile these buildings serve as powerful narrative media that express local identity, while their typological diversity and strategic innovation introduce fresh paradigms for living and foster community through thoughtfully designed public spaces. Demonstrating strong leadership and vision, these works enrich cities and meaningfully advance the discourse on contemporary living.”

Chris Williamson, RIBA President, said: “The inaugural Asia Pacific Awards celebrate the incredible diversity and creativity of architecture across the region. These projects show how design can respond to complex social, cultural, and environmental challenges, from revitalising communities and preserving heritage, to pioneering sustainable and technologically innovative solutions. They demonstrate the power of architecture to connect people, strengthen identity, and create inclusive, resilient places for future generations.”

Projects will be shortlisted across ten categories, these include: Adaptive Reuse; AI-Powered Design; Design for Living; Future Projects; Mixed-Use; RIBA Member; Social Architecture; Sustainability and Resilience; Temporary Architecture; and Urban Regeneration. Notably, categories such as Future Projects, Temporary Architecture, and AI-Powered Design will debut for the very first time, reflecting the evolving priorities and shifts in how architecture is designed and built for current and future generations.

The complete shortlist, outlining the projects, their architectural practices, and the categories in which they have been recognised, is as follows: