AWARDS CRITERIA

There are two categories for submission in the Awards programme:

1. UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation (Conservation Category)

2. UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for New Design in Heritage Contexts (New Design Category) 

See below the two sets of Criteria that is relevant for each category. To download full Awards regulations, please visit: https://bangkok.unesco.org/content/apply-awards

UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

The winners are selected based on the projects reflected a clear understanding and application of various criteria, such as the articulation of the spirit of place, technical achievement, appropriate use or adaption, and the project’s engagement with the local community and its contribution to enhancing the sustainability of the surrounding environment and beyond.

The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards recognize excellence in three main areas of achievement:

Understanding the Place

a. The project reflects a sound understanding of the significance of the heritage place (cultural, social, historical, architectural, scientific and spiritual).

b. How well the project conveys the spirit of the place.

c. How well does the project communicate the significance of the place through appropriate interpretation, if necessary.  

Technical Achievement

d. How well does the project address technical issues of conservation/restoration.

e. Application of appropriate building, artisan, and conservation techniques, including traditional building practices.

f. Application of appropriate materials. 

g. How well added elements or technical solutions respect and/or enhance the significance of the place. 

Sustainability and Impact

h. The engagement of the local community in the conservation process.

i. Sustainable use and preservation of heritage place through appropriate use, adaptation, maintenance, and strategic and financial planning.

j. How well the project contributes to environmental sustainability and resilience of the heritage place.

k. How well the project contributes to the local community’s socio-economic wellbeing, cultural continuum, and development needs.

l. How well does the project foster local knowledge and living heritage.

m. How well does the project contribute to enhancing the quality of the urban, rural, natural setting and spaces.

n. The influence of the project on conservation practice and policy locally, nationally, regionally or internationally.

UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for New Design in Heritage Contexts

In 2005, the New Design in Heritage Contexts category was introduced to acknowledge newly-built structures that demonstrate outstanding design and well-integrated into the heritage contexts. The award encourages submissions of completed new architecture and design projects that enrich the existing heritage setting.

The recipients of the Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts will have conclusively demonstrated excellence in the following areas:

Contextual Design

a. An outstanding design concept that demonstrates critical thinking in articulating an innovative response to the specific heritage context.

b. How well the new design helps to reveal the qualities of the place, including historical, architectural, cultural, and social significance.

c. The compatibility and appropriateness of the new design’s programme/function in its context.

d. How well the new design relates to the existing built and natural context.  Factors include, but are not limited to, the following: typology, siting, massing, form, scale, character, colour and texture.

e. The justification of selection and quality control of materials and building techniques (contemporary, vernacular or a combination of both).

Sustainability and Impact

f. How well the project contributes to environmental sustainability and resilience of the heritage place.

g. How does the project contributes to the local community’s socio-economic wellbeing, cultural continuum, and development needs.

h. The influence of the project on architectural practice and design policy locally, nationally, regionally or internationally.

To apply for the Awards, please see: https://bangkok.unesco.org/content/apply-awards