University Centre of Ahmedabad University Wins Prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects International Award for Excellence 2024

It is a matter of great pride for Ahmedabad University that the University Centre, designed by Stephane Paumier Architects, has won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award for Excellence 2024. The RIBA UK and International awards have been celebrating outstanding work in the built environment from around the world for more than 180 years. The RIBA awards are recognised globally as the highest accolades in architecture for projects demonstrating visionary thinking, excellence of design and execution, and social impact.

According to the RIBA jury, the University Centre of Ahmedabad University, among an eminent group of winners across 14 countries, signifies a bold gateway between the University and the heritage city of Ahmedabad in India’s State of Gujarat. The challenge before the architects was to create an energised and energising place for the exchange of ideas, informal meetings, and social events. However, the remarkable architectural framework of the building that they created has surpassed even the challenging ambition of the brief. 

The Centre, a critical student-centred facility within the University campus, is one of three ‘iconic’ buildings, along with two of the University schools, the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, all of which surround a central landscaped park. The unique architectural approach used for the centre invites diagonal views through the entire building whilst enabling cross ventilation and the penetration of reflected daylight, leading to an extraordinary spatial experience.  

Acting as a social hub, the Centre accommodates incubation spaces, student services, a food court, multipurpose spaces for sport, performance and cinema with a running track and futsal court located on the roof. The popularly designed building attracts a large number of students to linger in its cool space throughout the day.

The RIBA awards are among the world’s most rigorously judged architecture awards, with every selected project visited in person by an expert designated as a RIBA Local Ambassador, and selected by a jury chaired by Simon Henley of the award-winning London-based architecture practice, Henley Halebrown. All the RIBA winners are considered for the RIBA International Prize for the world's most transformative new building.

Image Credits: Amit Pasricha