TU Dublin Honoured in 2026 UIA Award for Innovation in Architectural Education
TU Dublin has been named among the global laureates of the prestigious International Union of Architects (UIA) Award for Innovation in Architectural Education 2026, recognising its forward-thinking contribution to architectural pedagogy.
Organised by the UIA Architectural Education Commission, the award celebrates pioneering approaches to architectural and urban design education. It highlights programmes that not only demonstrate excellence in teaching but also respond meaningfully to today’s societal and environmental challenges.
The 2026 edition reflects the principles of the UNESCO–UIA Charter for Architectural Education (updated July 2023), emphasising the vital role of education in shaping architects capable of designing sustainable, inclusive, and resilient built environments.
TU Dublin was recognised for its project entitled Building Change — Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) Curriculum Reform. This initiative reimagines architectural education by embedding critical themes such as sustainability, social responsibility, and real-world engagement directly into the curriculum. The programme represents a significant shift toward equipping students with the skills and awareness needed to address complex global challenges through design.
Speaking about the initiative, Emma Geoghegan, Head of Architecture at TU Dublin said:
We are delighted to receive this international award from the UIA. For over five years the architecture discipline team in the School of Architecture, Building and Environment has been working to foreground the UN SDGs in our curricula, embed climate literacy and ethical judgement and equip our graduates to responsibly address the design challenges of this century. We are particularly proud that the UIA jury acknowledged the national impact of this work as part of the TU Dublin led Building Change project which has changed the landscape of architectural education in Ireland.
This year’s award saw participation from 22 countries across the five UIA regions, showcasing a diverse range of educational models and thematic priorities. Submissions explored areas including:
- Climate action and environmental sustainability
Inclusivity and universal design
Migration and community resilience
Health and wellbeing in built environments
Heritage conservation and adaptive reuse
Resource efficiency and circular design
2026 Awarded Entries
Alongside TU Dublin, the following institutions were named laureates: University of Lima, Peru – Inclusive by Design, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina – (Inter)Urban Actions, South China University of Technology (SCUT), China – Design-Led Subtropical Sustainability, University of Pretoria, South Africa – Climate Justice and Circular Practice Pedagogy.
Several institutions also received commendations for their impactful educational initiatives, including: Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Spain, Silesian University of Technology, Poland, Virginia Tech, USA, Arizona State University (USA) and An-Najah National University (Palestinian Territories).