Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre in South Africa, designed by Peter Rich Architects of Johannesburg, has been named as World Architecture Festival's World Building of the Year.

The centre, which is situated at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, is designed to house artifacts from the region’s prehistory. The project is underpinned by a strong social programme, using the skills and labour of local people and involving them in the design and construction process. Judges praised the project for its roughness and hand-crafted intelligence. They also admired the way in which it handled issues of sustainability and its relationship to the landscape.

Collecting the award, Peter Rich said: “I will continue my quest to be of service to the less privileged, because they deserve it.”

Commenting that his next project would be in Ethiopia, Rich added: “I’m going to continue the good fight and take it to the world.”