Palestinian Architect Suad Amiry Awarded Prestigious European Prize for Architecture
Palestinian architect Suad Amiry has received the European Prize for Architecture, a globally recognized honor, for her decades-long dedication to preserving Palestinian architectural heritage and transforming preservation into a tool for social and cultural resilience.
Amiry, 74, has spent years revitalizing historic buildings across the West Bank and Gaza, focusing on restoring stone houses, public courtyards, and sites of historical significance. Her work extends beyond physical restoration, aiming to reconnect communities to their heritage and strengthen their sense of belonging. This award highlights the importance of cultural preservation in regions experiencing political instability and displacement.
Founded in 1991, Amiry heads the Riwaq Center for architectural preservation in Ramallah, a non-profit organization responsible for over 100 preservation and restoration projects, including work in Jerusalem’s Old City and Bethlehem. Christian Narkiewicz-Laine, architecture critic and president of the Chicago Museum, remarked, “In her mission to preserve Palestinian architecture, Amiry focused on the challenging complexities of safeguarding Palestinian collective memory… Initiatives such as the ‘50 Villages Rehabilitation Project’ have transformed the Riwaq Center into a platform where heritage serves as a medium for addressing urgent and evolving social, economic, cultural, and political concerns.” You can learn more about the importance of architectural preservation at ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites.
Born in 1951 to refugee parents, Amiry’s personal history informs her professional commitment. She has also authored several books on Palestinian architecture and daily life under occupation, including the acclaimed “Cappuccino in Ramallah.” The European Prize for Architecture, awarded in collaboration with the Chicago Museum of Architecture and Design, recognizes architects who advance European humanism and artistic building design.
Officials stated the award serves as an incentive for new ideas and encourages forward-thinking approaches to architecture and urban design.
