AR Emerging awards

Launched in 1999, the AR Emerging awards grant early recognition to young designers and celebrate the architectural stars of tomorrow. Established in response to the heavy-hitting Gold Medals Pritzkers and other lifetime achievement awards, the AR Emerging awards recognise a promising portfolio of work and propel young talent onto the international stage early in their careers.

Previous winners include Carla Juaçaba, Shigeru Ban, Rick Joy, Anna Heringer, Sou Fujimoto, Thomas Heatherwick, Neri & Hu, Li Xiaodong and Frida Escobedo.

View the 2026 shortlist here.

2026 shortlist

The 2026 shortlist includes architects who are experimenting with rammed earth, learning from local building types and creating urgently needed third places.

View shortlist

2026 celebration evening

The shortlisted architects will present their work at the Architectural Association on 15 October, when the winners will be announced. The event is free-to-attend.

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Why enter?

All finalists will be published in a special edition of The Architectural Review  and present in person to our world-renowned judging panel in October 2026. There is a prize fund of £5,000 for the winner.

Why enter?

Previous winners

Explore past award-winning practices. Draw inspiration from firms including ARB Architects, Threshold, Chen Donghua Architects and Material Cultures.


See previous winners

Watch last year’s winners present live

Are you considering entering the AR Emerging awards? One of the best ways to prepare is by watching last year’s winners present their work to the 2024 judging panel, including Noura Al Sayeh-Holtrop, Geir Brendeland and Adrian Lahoud.

See how A Threshold, the 2024 AR Emerging awards winner, impressed the jury with their ability to educate clients and turn private briefs into meaningful public projects.

Discover the work of Chen Donghua Architects, who were highly commended for their thoughtful approach to shade – ‘a powerful idea in the context of global heating.’ And don’t miss Material Cultures, recipients of the Peter Davey Prize, whose dedication to decarbonising building practices stood out to The Architectural Review editors.

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Download award-winning entry boards

Thinking about entering the AR Emerging awards but unsure how to start your portfolio submission? If yes, get inspired by the 2023 winner, Mexico-based practice TO and last year's highly commended Chen Donghua Architects.

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'It was a great learning process for us as a younger studio, discussing with judges and showing our process and practice. It will definitely motivate us to do more sensitive work, particularly in rural areas where the need is required.'

Søren Pihlmann, founder, Pihlmann Architects, highly commended 2025

'The recognition and support that AR provides to young architects is really important'

Catharine Rossi, educator, curator and writer, 2025 judge

'It was a chance for me to say I have a reason and I can share it with the rest of the world'

Nguyên Hà, founder, ARB Architects, winner 2025

Partnership opportunities

Be inspired by, and show your support for the world's most interesting up-and-coming architects, engaging with them at the start of their journey. The AR Emerging awards partner programme offers quality content, unique formats and marketing opportunities reaching over 30,000 architects worldwide. A total of three events and extensive cross-media publicity through The Architectural Review are ideal environments to build your brand and generate sales opportunities all in one integrated programme.

If you wish to learn more about becoming a partner, please contact Frazer Stokes on +44 (0)20 3953 2924 or at frazer.stokes@emap.com.


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