Latvian Architecture Award

Latvian Architecture Award
Native nameLatvijas Arhitektūras gada balva
Awarded forAchievements in Latvian architecture
CountryLatvia
Presented byLatvian Association of Architects
First award1995
Websitewww.latarh.lv/annual-award/about

The Latvian Architecture Award (Latvian: Latvijas Arhitektūras gada balva; LAGB) is an annual national architecture award in Latvia. It has been presented since 1995 and is organised by the Latvian Association of Architects with support from Latvia's Ministry of Culture.[1] The organisers describe it as the highest recognition in Latvian architecture and a nationally significant event, while Latvian Public Media has called it the biggest event of the Latvian architectural year.[1][2] The award marked its 30th anniversary in 2025.[3] It is separate from the Riga Architecture Award, a municipal prize organised by the Riga City Architect's Office.[4]

Format and evaluation

Eligible entries include works realised in Latvia regardless of their authors' nationality, as well as works realised elsewhere when the authors' country of affiliation is Latvia. Entries are divided into two broad types: objects, meaning completed works that have been put into use, and processes, which may include research, publications, educational projects and other events connected with architecture.[3]

The competition is conducted in two rounds. A national jury evaluates the submissions and selects finalists, after which an international jury chooses the laureates. The 2026 regulations define the principal distinctions as the Grand Prix and the Annual Award, also called the Silver Award.[5] Additional distinctions have included a public-choice award.[5] The children's-jury award Zirnis has also been presented.[6]

Public programme and development

The award is accompanied by activities intended to bring contemporary architecture to a wider audience. In 2016, Architecture Week included a public exhibition of 16 semifinalists, short films and lectures by architects.[7]

In 2024, 54 works were submitted, including 47 objects and seven processes.[8] An open-air exhibition in Old Riga presented the 16 finalists with bilingual descriptions and jury comments; FOLD described the exhibition as an annual public tradition.[9] In 2025, the national jury selected 15 finalists from 48 submissions before the international-jury stage.[10]

A 2024 study by Chi-Hui Chen, Uģis Bratuškins and Sandra Treija analysed Grand Prix-winning works from 1995 to 2024 using the Davos Baukultur Quality System. The authors found that early discussion focused chiefly on functionality and aesthetics, while later projects placed increasing emphasis on sustainability, cultural identity and social inclusion.[11]

Main award recipients since 2015

Year Main award recipient(s) Location Source
2015 Restoration of Rundāle Palace; National Library of Latvia Rundāle; Riga [12]
2016 Reconstruction and extension of the Latvian National Museum of Art Riga [13]
2017 Shaolin Flying Monks Theatre, by Mailītis Architects China [14]
2018 Renovation of Liepāja State Gymnasium No. 1, by Ilze Mekša and Wonderfull Liepāja [15]
2019 Salt House, by Brigita Bula and Brigita Bula arhitekti Pāvilosta [16]
2020 Reconstruction of buildings on Miesnieku Street, by ARHIS Arhitekti Riga [6]
2021 Reconstruction of the Mežaparks Great Bandstand Riga [17]
2022 Pērle social support centre, by ĒTER Cēsis [2]
2023 Forecourt of the Daile Theatre, by MADE arhitekti Riga [18]
2024 Reconstruction of the New Riga Theatre, by Zaigas Gailes Birojs and Sarma & Norde Architects Riga [19]
2025 Salaspils 7 preschool, a wooden kindergarten by MADE arhitekti Salaspils [20]

References

  1. 1 2 "About competition". Latvian Association of Architects. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Architecture prize goes to Cēsis social support center". LSM English. Latvian Public Media. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Latvijas Arhitektu savienība aicina pieteikt darbus Latvijas Arhitektūras gada balvai 2025". Ministry of Culture of Latvia (in Latvian). 16 May 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Rīga architecture award goes to Hansa platform". LSM English. Latvian Public Media. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Regulations". Latvian Association of Architects. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Miesnieku street reconstruction wins Latvian Architecture Award 2020 Grand Prix". LSM English. Latvian Public Media. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Exhibition kicks off Architecture Week". LSM English. Latvian Public Media. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Latvijas Arhitektūras gada balvai 2024 pieteikti 54 darbi". FOLD (in Latvian). 2 August 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Vecrīgā skatāma Latvijas Arhitektūras gada balvas 2024 izstāde". FOLD (in Latvian). 11 November 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Zināmi Latvijas Arhitektūras gada balvas 2025 finālisti". FOLD (in Latvian). 12 September 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  11. ↑ Chen, Chi-Hui; Bratuškins, Uģis; Treija, Sandra (2024). "Evolution in Latvian Contemporary Architecture: Thirty Years of the Latvian Architecture Award". Architecture and Urban Planning. 20 (1): 213–225. doi:10.2478/aup-2024-0018.
  12. ↑ "The best of 2015". Latvian Association of Architects. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Renovated national art gallery scoops annual architecture award". LSM English. Latvian Public Media. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Latvijas Arhitektūras gada balvas 2017 laureāti". FOLD (in Latvian). 20 May 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Latvijas Arhitektūras gada balvas 2018 uzvarētāji". FOLD (in Latvian). 18 May 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Arhitektūras Lielo gada balvu 2019 saņem Sāls māja Pāvilostā". LA.LV (in Latvian). LETA. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Reconstructed Song Festival stage wins Latvian Architecture Award 2021 Grand Prix". LSM English. Latvian Public Media. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Latvijas Arhitektūras Lielo gada balvu 2023 saņem Dailes teātra priekšlaukums". FOLD (in Latvian). 7 October 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "Latvijas Arhitektūras Lielo gada balvu 2024 saņem Jaunais Rīgas teātris". FOLD (in Latvian). 19 October 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "Kindergarten in Salaspils gets Latvian Architecture Award". LSM English. Latvian Public Media. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
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