With institutional pride and the support of thousands of votes, the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) was recognized as the winner of the 2026 Building of the Year Award, granted by ArchDaily in the Education category—one of the most important architecture prizes worldwide.
Architecture that transforms learning
Architects Daniel Bonilla and Marcela Albornoz designed the architectural project, and the jury highlighted its innovative approach, its dialogue with the surrounding environment, and its ability to establish itself as a contemporary, functional, and sustainable academic space. The building represents a commitment to spatial quality, natural light, landscape integration, and the creation of environments that enhance learning and university interaction.
This recognition, awarded through open voting by the public and the global architecture community, highlights excellence in design, social impact, and urban relevance among projects built in different countries. In this edition, UIS positioned itself as an international benchmark in educational infrastructure, consolidating a decade of physical and academic transformation.
A Colombian public university on the global stage
The distinction not only celebrates the building’s architectural quality but also the institutional vision that understands infrastructure as a driver of innovation, well-being, and regional projection. Every space responds to current dynamics of teaching, research, and civic engagement, as it was conceived with that purpose in mind.
The design, planning, construction, and institutional management teams achieved this result through coordinated work, with strong support from the university community, which actively participated in the voting process.
Winning the 2026 Building of the Year Award in the Education category is not just an architectural recognition; it confirms that Colombian public universities can stand out among the best in the world.
To learn more about the ArchDaily 2026 Building of the Year Award in the Education category, you can check here:
