The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with CRATerre (the International Centre for Earth Construction), has named the winners of the Terra Landscape Architectural Award. Launched by CRAterre under the umbrella of the UNESCO Chair for Earthen Architecture, this international accolade recognizes projects showcasing how earthen materials strengthen the relationship between the environment, culture, and territory.
Global Recognition for Earthen Architecture
An international jury reviewed submissions, shortlisting 20 projects across three thematic categories. The award forms part of TERRA 2027 – World Congress on Earthen Architecture, co-organised by DCT Abu Dhabi and ICOMOS ISCEAH. This edition marks the first time the globally recognized Congress is hosted in the Arab region, representing a historic milestone for the event.
Winning Projects by Category
Under the ‘Dialogue with Existing Cultural Landscape’ category, the First Prize went to Studio Salima Naji Architects for the Living Heritage Centre in Tiznit Medina, Morocco. The jury recognized its integration within a heritage setting and the diversity of earthen building cultures in Southern Morocco. The Second Prize was awarded to Studio Méditerranée and Studio Mumbai for the Renovation and Extension of the Chateau de Beaucastel in Courthézon, France. Built extensively with pisé, the extension forms a natural complement to the existing complex, utilizing raw material taken directly from the immediate underground.
In the ‘Integration into the Natural Site’ category, Fausto Cardoso Martínez, Stephanie Suter, José Uzho, and Manuel Campoverde won First Prize for La Casa de las Rocas in Susudel, Ecuador. The jury praised the project for its sensitive integration into the existing landscape and its intelligent use of local resources to create a comfortable and refined adobe house. Prabal Thapa Architects received the Second Prize for the Kopila Valley School in Surkhet, Nepal, noted for its response to topography and the coherence of its ensemble of buildings structured by rammed earth walls.
The ‘Celebrating Local Resources and Know-how’ category awarded First Prize to ZRS Architekten for the Healing Garden | Therapy Centre for Women and Children in Chamchamal, Kurdistan-Iraq. The project was recognized for combining simplicity with sophistication, alongside patient efforts devoted to integrating function with adaptation to the local environment. MASS and Arup won Second Prize for the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture in Gashora, Rwanda. The jury recognized the project’s ambition and its combination of multiple earthen building techniques with conventional materials to ensure functionality and durability.
