Highly commended: Sustainable building of the year 2023. Diana Kellogg Architects has designed the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl's School in Jaisalmer, India.

The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl's School was designed by Diana Kellogg of Diana Kellogg Architects for the non-profit CITTA India.

Having opened for classes in November 2021, the school serves over 400 girls below the poverty one in Jaisalmer, from kindergarten to class 10.

The school was designed to be the first in a complex of buildings known as the GYAAN Center, designed to empower and educate women in a region experiencing economic disparities, gender discrimination, infanticide, caste discrimination and technological barriers.

The school aims to help women establish economic independence for themselves and their families.

Judges comments: "Beyond the long-lasting societal benefits of providing education for young women in a challenging context, this Indian school demonstrates how we can harness existing, nature-based solutions to create more sustainable buildings."

Studio: Diana Kellogg Architects
Project: The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl's School