CEU’s new campus buildings in Nador utca 13 and 15 rank among the best in the world, since they were shortlisted for one of the world’s most prestigious architecture awards, the Royal Institute of British Architects’ RIBA International Prize. CEU’s buildings are among just 4 finalists for the award.
The Prize, awarded every two years, will be given to a building “which exemplifies design excellence, architectural ambition and delivers meaningful social impact,” according to RIBA. The winner of the Prize will be announced later this year.
RIBA praised CEU’s buildings for “having architectural éclat but great modesty.”
“This is an exceptionally fine urban campus with few compromises providing a wonderful stage for the university and the city. The building has become the architectural platform for the preservation of the values that the university espouses - transparency, community, higher education and democracy. Spaces like the auditorium have assumed a public symbolic role in the fight for the University’s preservation,” RIBA writes on its website announcing the shortlist for 2018’s International Prize.
The new campus buildings, designed by the O'Donnell + Tuomey and Teampannon Kft. architecture firms, have won acclaim both in Hungary and at international competitions since their completion and opening in fall 2016. Architects Sheila O’Donnell and John Tuomey received RIBA’s Golden Medal in 2015 in recognition of their lifetime’s work.
