RIBA reveals three shortlisted projects for the 2021 International Prize

A community hospital in Bangladesh, a cycle and pedestrian bridge in Denmark and a cultural site in Berlin have been shortlisted by the Royal Institute of British Architects for its 2021 International Prize.

The Royal Institue of British Architects (RIBA's) International Prize is presented every two years to architectural projects outside of the UK that RIBA believes illustrate "design excellence" and "meaningful social impact."

Friendship Hospital which was shortlisted for RIBAs International Prize was made using brick — Lille Langebro (top image) and Friendship Hospital (above) are among the shortlisted projects for the RIBA International Prize. Photo is by Asif Salman

This year's shortlisted projects include Friendship Hospital by Kashef Chowdhury/URBANA, a large, 80-bed community hospital that provides healthcare to an area in Bangladesh that was majorly affected by a cyclone.

The structure was crafted using local brick and features a number of intimate courtyards connected by an angular canal that bisects the brick-clad site.

Aerial view of Lille Langebro which was shortlisted in the RIBA International Prize — Lille Langebro is a curving pedestrian and cycle bridge in Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo is by Rasmus Hjortshøj

The second shortlisted project is Lille Langebro by WilkinsonEyre and Urban Agency. The 160-metre long cycle and pedestrian bridge in Copenhagen, Denmark, curves across a harbour to connect to the city's Christianshavn area.

At the centre of the bridge, rotating mechanisms open to allow marine traffic to pass through.

Also shortlisted is James-Simon-Galerie by David Chipperfield Architects, a collonaded cultural site that contains visitor facilities, temporary exhibition spaces and a 300-seat auditorium on Museum Island in Berlin.

The building has a contemporary look but was designed to blend in with its Neoclassical surroundings. It provides the UNESCO World Heritage Site it sits on with new public space, as well as access to the five nearby museums via an underground walkway.

The colonnaded James-Simon-Galerie cultural centre has been shortlisted for the RIBA International Prize — James-Simon-Galerie by David Chipperfield Architects was also shortlisted for the prize. Photo is by Simon Menges

RIBA's International Prize was first launched at the end of 2015 and replaced the former Lubetkin Prize.

The three shortlisted projects were selected from a long list of 16 projects, with this year's shortlist judged by a grand jury that is chaired by French architect and urban planner Odile Decq.

The jurors include British set designer and artist Es Devlin, American architect and Studio Gang founder Jeanne Gang, architect and Neri&Hu cofounder Rossana Hu and the 2018 winner of the RIBA International Prize, Gustavo Utrabo.