Designs for a reimagined slave trade memorial in Malawi, a vision of an Interspecies shared ecosystem after the demolition of a dam in Helsinki and a creative dissertation on Shetland’s evolving traditions of “island-making” have been announced as the winning projects of the RIBA President’s Medals 2025.
Presented by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for 189 years, the President’s Medals recognise the world’s best work by architecture students. In 2025, the awards received a record number of 378 entries, with up to five commendations being awarded in each category, mirroring last year’s number and diversity of prizes.
RIBA's Silver Medal has been awarded to Glory Kamthumzi, for her project ‘Dialogues in Sticks and Stones: Spatial testimonies of the East African slave trade in Nkhotakota, Malawi’ nominated by the University of the Free State, South Africa. This marks the first time in history that a RIBA President’s Medal is awarded to the University of the Free State and to a school of architecture in South Africa.
The project reimagines a rural memorial on the Nkhotakota lakeshore, Malawi, where the histories of the Swahili Arab slave trade, David Livingstone’s missions, and local African chiefdoms meet. Combining a slave route memorial centre with a beachside fishing village, the proposed design transforms into a powerful commemorative landscape that offers a sensitive space for remembrance, bridging history, heritage, and healing.
On receiving the RIBA Silver Medal 2025, Glory Kamthumzi said:"I am incredibly honoured to receive the RIBA Silver Medal. My deepest thanks go to RIBA and the judging panel for this recognition, and to the University of the Free State, my tutors, and my peers, whose support has shaped my voice as a designer. It is deeply meaningful for a project grounded in African history, craft, construction, and culture to receive this recognition.
"This award affirms the richness and relevance of our narratives, as well as the talent emerging from South African architecture schools. It motivates me to continue being a custodian of our heritage throughout my architectural journey."
RIBA President Chris Williamson said: “It’s fantastic to see the highest-ever number of entries for the President’s Medals, and a first win for a South African university. The work was of such exceptional calibre and diversity that the judges once again awarded additional commendations in every category.
“I’m hugely encouraged to see emerging architects embracing new, innovative ways of thinking and designing to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world.
“What sets this year’s winning projects apart is not only their deep commitment to a sustainable future while evidencing a thoughtful engagement with history and heritage, but also, and in a quite humbling way, how they carve new facets for the architect's role in learning from and representing the communities they serve.
“This is a new generation of emerging professionals for whom architecture is a much wider discipline than the one we currently know. I can only see good things happening as these new colleagues strengthen and celebrate the highest standards of innovation, ethics, and social responsibility in our profession.”
