UNESCO Reveals Winners Of 2024 Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards

Published on December 14, 2024

The recipients of the 2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have been revealed, honoring eight exceptional projects from throughout the region for their dedication to the preservation and restoration of heritage sites.

The winners of the 2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have been announced, with eight remarkable projects from across the region honored for their commitment to restoring and preserving heritage landmarks.

The prestigious Award of Excellence, the highest recognition from UNESCO, was presented to the Inari-yu Bathhouse Restoration Project in Tokyo, Japan. This project was celebrated not only for its meticulous preservation efforts but also for its contribution to fostering social unity and community resilience.

This year’s awards saw 52 entries from 14 countries, with the judging panel assessing projects based on their sensitivity to the local context, technical innovation, and sustainability.

The Award of Distinction was granted to two exceptional projects: the Gunan Street Historic Block Conservation Project in Jiangsu, China, and the Abathsahayeshwarar Temple Conservation Project in Tamil Nadu, India.

Meanwhile, four projects received the Award of Merit: the Guanyin Hall Teahouse and Helou Pavilion in China, BJPCI in Mumbai, India, and the Observatory Tower in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts was granted to the Rabindhorn Building in Bangkok, Thailand, for its innovative transformation of a former school gymnasium into a functional and visually captivating space.

The jury also extended special recognition to the Gunan Street Historic Block and Helou Pavilion projects for their outstanding contributions to socio-economic sustainability, reflecting UNESCO’s commitment to promoting cultural heritage as a catalyst for sustainable development.

Since its launch in 2000, the Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards have recognized 906 projects from 27 countries, supporting both private initiatives and public-private collaborations in heritage conservation. These awards continue to highlight the transformative power of heritage projects in revitalizing communities and urban spaces across the region.

The Call for Entries for the 2025 cycle will open in early 2025, inviting a wide range of heritage projects, particularly from underrepresented countries in Asia and the Pacific.