RIBA Asia Pacific Awards winners impress through adaptive reuse and revitalization

Eight new projects in China, India, Singapore, and Bangladesh have scored in the inaugural RIBA Asia Pacific Awards' ten categories. The transformation of the Taoxichuan Ceramic Culture Industrial Park in Jingdezhen, China, into a cultural district managed to pick up awards in three categories: Adaptive Reuse, Urban Regeneration, and RIBA Member Award.

The winners were announced during the RIBA Architecture Festival Asia in Shenzhen this month and recognized for their "innovative, socially impactful, and future-focused" architectural designs.

Here are the selected projects in more detail:

(Cover image) Adaptive Reuse, Urban Regeneration, and RIBA Member Award Winner: Taoxichuan Ceramic Culture Industrial Park by Beijing An-Design Architects & THUPDI (Jingdezhen, China)

"This ambitious masterplan revitalises the heart of China’s porcelain capital by transforming old ceramic factories into a vibrant cultural district. Spanning 22 hectares, the project blends adaptive reuse with new development, public spaces, and creative industry infrastructure. By retaining nearly half the original structures, it dramatically cuts waste and carbon emissions. Now a thriving hub for culture, tourism, jobs, and commerce, Taoxichuan has generated hundreds of millions in revenue and become a national model for post-industrial regeneration."

AI Powered Design Award: Rui Xue Multi-Hall by Tongji University (Chengdu, China) 

"This unique rural pavilion takes inspiration from melting snow, creating an organic timber structure that blends naturally into the surrounding farmland. Using advanced digital design tools and robotic fabrication, the project combines craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Skylights, preserved trees, and gently open spaces blur the boundaries between inside and outside. The design sets a new model for sustainable vernacular architecture and supports China’s rural revitalisation efforts."

Design for Living Award: House of Memories by Studio Gravitas in collaboration with Eleemente & Bodh Design Group (Karnataka, India) 

"Located in suburban Karnataka, this home is a modern tribute to the traditional 'Thotti Mane' courtyard style. Designed for a multi-generational family, it navigates a tight urban plot to create a space filled with nostalgia and comfort. The architecture weaves together history and memory, using specific design choices to balance solitude with socialising. By blending local materials with climate-responsive design, it redefines domestic life, offering a sanctuary that deeply connects the owners to their heritage and the seasons."

Future Projects Award: Qianhai Museum by Architectural Design and Research Institute of SCUT Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen, China) 

"Situated on Shenzhen’s stunning waterfront, this museum is a massive cultural landmark designed as a 'Beacon of the Era.' Its elevated structure creates open, airy public zones, while a spectacular 100-meter arch on the fifth floor offers panoramic views of the bay. The building features a rooftop garden and a shimmering façade inspired by traditional roofs, filtering light like a radiant seascape. Meeting high green building standards, it blends art, nature, and technology into one cohesive cultural experience."

Mixed Use Award: CapitaSpring by BIG | Bjarke Ingels Group (Singapore) 

"CapitaSpring is a stunning 51-story 'vertical oasis' in Singapore that redefines city living by blending architecture with nature. Standing 280 meters tall, its facade peels back to reveal lush greenery at various levels, housing over 38,000 plants. The building features a rooftop sky garden, creating a refreshing contrast between sleek glass, steel, and tropical vegetation. It serves as a vibrant, breathable neighbourhood for work, life, and play right in the heart of the bustling business district."

Social Architecture Award: West Wusutu Village Community Center in Hohhot by Inner Mongolian Grand Architecture Design Co., Ltd. (Hohhot, China) 

"This community center is the beating heart of village life, designed to serve everyone from elders to children. It features specific rooms for traditional activities like mahjong and communal dining, alongside an art hall for local creatives. A central circular courtyard creates a strong sense of belonging, particularly for the local Hui Muslim community. Topping it off is a massive rooftop playground for children. It effectively combines social gathering, cultural expression, and play into one cohesive, welcoming home for the village."

Sustainability and Resilience Award: BRAC University by WOHA (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

"Transforming a former waste ground into a vibrant educational hub, this project in Dhaka creates a tropical 'vertical university.' Designed as a 'club sandwich,' it layers academic spaces above an airy public park, maximising land use in a dense city. The campus relies on large breezeways and cross-ventilation rather than just air conditioning, keeping the spaces naturally cool. With a rooftop pool, track, and student amenities, it stands as a sustainable, nature-friendly model for learning in the tropics."

Temporary Architecture Award: Seaside Pavilion on Chai Shan Island by GN Architects (Zhoushan, China) 

"Part of an island revitalisation plan in Zhoushan, this Sea-Viewing Pavilion transforms an abandoned dock into a romantic destination. The design features 37 six-meter-long blades suspended from the roof, which gently sway in the sea breeze to create a calming, rhythmic atmosphere. Serving as a welcoming gateway for visitors and a resting spot for locals, the pavilion captures the spirit of the island, offering a serene place to gather and enjoy the ocean views."