Green Field Factory wins RIBA Prize

Green Field Factory of Karupannya Rangpur Limited has won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Prize 2026 for its design prioritising workers’ wellbeing, environmental sustainability and women’s empowerment.

Designed by Bangladeshi firm Nakshabid Architects, the seven-storey, 13,450-square-metre factory accommodates 5,000 employees, mostly women, offering an alternative approach to industrial architecture.

RIBA announced the award in London on October 15, saying the factory challenged conventional workplace design while creating opportunities for workers and the surrounding community.

Inspired by traditional Bengali homesteads, the building features courtyards, deep verandahs, gardens and a green façade to maximise natural light and ventilation. Rainwater harvesting, water reservoirs and passive cooling systems reduce reliance on mechanical systems.

Facilities include a rooftop daycare centre, medical practice, grocery shop, prayer room and shared canteen. Green spaces throughout the building provide places for workers to rest, eat and socialise, while the premises also host community activities outside working hours.

The factory challenges traditional workplace hierarchies with a single main entrance for workers, owners and managers. A sculpture named Bonolota, representing female strength and empowerment in Bengali tradition, welcomes entrants, while artwork throughout the building depicts women’s roles in work, family and community.

RIBA president Chris Williamson said the factory redefined manufacturing architecture in South Asia and beyond by putting people and their everyday experiences at the centre of its design.

Nakshabid Architects founder and principal Bayejid M Khondoker said the project began with the question of what a factory would look like if designed first as a home for its workers.

“A factory should not be a machine that consumes human energy. It should be a living place that restores it,” he said. Karupannya Rangpur Limited founder Shafiqul Alam Selim said the factory reflected the value of its weavers’ craftsmanship, which reaches homes around the world. “Taking care of people is not a cost to the business. It is the business,” he said.

Established in 2015, the RIBA International Prize recognises buildings for originality, design excellence and their contribution to users, the environment and communities.

Green Field Factory was shortlisted in 2024 but reassessed for the 2026 prize after circumstances prevented a jury visit. The 2026 shortlist also included BRAC University in Dhaka, designed by WOHA, and two projects in Belgium.

Separately, RIBA named Belgian firm MAKER Architecten winner of its International Emerging Architect Award 2026 for YIMBY, a residential project in Kortrijk that revitalises a 1920s neighbourhood through renovation, material reuse and shared green spaces.