Global Award for Sustainable Architecture 2028

The UIA invites architects and designers from all over the world to take part in the 2028 Global Award for Sustainable Architecture.

For two decades, the Award has brought to light practices that open new paths for a more responsible way of building, often far from the spotlight, and has given them international visibility. Through its endorsement, the UIA supports this mission and reaffirms its commitment to an architecture that serves both people and the planet.

This edition invites architects and designers from around the world to share circular strategies that rethink how we plan, build, transform and sustain our environment at every scale. Applications are open until 29 January 2027.

Theme and objectives

The 21st edition of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture is now open for applications under the theme “Architecture Is Circularity”. The theme investigates architecture’s relationship to planning at every scale, from territories and cities to buildings, materials and regenerative systems, and explores circular strategies that redefine how we design, transform and sustain the world around us.

Created in 2006 by architect and researcher Jana Revedin, and endorsed by the UIA since 2024, the Award honours each year five living architects, urban or landscape designers whose work demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and ecologically responsible contemporary architecture.

Key criteria

The Award recognises a nominee’s overall professional, scientific, social and political engagement rather than a single project. Entries are evaluated on:

• Innovation
• Design quality
• Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Eligibility

The Award is open to all architects, designers, urban and landscape designers worldwide. Entries may concern studied or built projects, or work related to research, writing or experimentation.

The competition follows a single-stage, open procedure, with one category and five global winners. All entries must be submitted in English, using the official template available on the Award’s submission platform.

Key dates

• 2026-11-20 :  Deadline for questions
• 2026-11-27 : Deadline for answers
• 2027-01-29 : Deadline for submissions
• 2027-05-03 : Jury meeting

Prizes

Each of the five winners will receive:

• a diploma;
• an invitation to the annual Global Award Symposium, with travel and accommodation costs covered;
• the publication of their work in an annual monographic publication.

Laureates also join the Global Award Community, an international network for research, experimentation, teaching, advocacy, publishing and collaborative action.

Submit an entry.