The major architecture prizes, explained (2026)

Prize	Scope	What it is
Pritzker Architecture PrizeHyatt Foundation	Global	Architecture's highest honour; annual, since 1979.
EU Mies van der Rohe AwardEuropean Commission & Fundació Mies van der Rohe	Europe	Europe's biggest architecture prize; biennial, since 1988.
RIBA Stirling PrizeRoyal Institute of British Architects	United Kingdom	The UK's top prize for the year's best building.
RIBA Royal Gold MedalRIBA (on behalf of the British monarch)	International	Annual, for a lifetime's contribution to international architecture.
RIBA International PrizeRIBA	Global (excl. UK)	Awarded to the best new building in the world; biennial.
Aga Khan Award for ArchitectureAga Khan Trust for Culture	Societies with significant Muslim presence	Triennial since 1977; design excellence addressing societal needs.
World Architecture Festival AwardsWorld Architecture Festival	Global	Only major programme where finalists present live to judges.
Dezeen AwardsDezeen	Global	Annual, for the best architecture, interiors and design projects and studios.
AIA Gold MedalAmerican Institute of Architects	US / international	Highest AIA honour for enduring influence, since 1907.
Praemium Imperiale (Architecture)Japan Art Association	Global	Prestigious arts prize (the 'Nobel of the arts') with an architecture laureate.
Richard H. Driehaus PrizeUniversity of Notre Dame	Global	Honours living architects in classical/traditional architecture, since 2003.
Prix de l'Équerre d'ArgentLe Moniteur	France	France's leading annual prize for a completed French building, since 1960.
Deutscher ArchitekturpreisGerman Federal Building Ministry & Bundesarchitektenkammer	Germany	National architecture prize, biennial.
Premio COAMColegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid	Spain	Madrid architects' college awards for built and cultural work.

Full winner lists: EU Mies Award · European Pritzker laureates · Stirling Prize.

The major architecture prizes

A prize is a reputation signal you can verify. We keep full winner lists for the three biggest European-relevant ones; the rest are mapped here so you know what a studio means when it lists an award.