Hot Off the Press: A+Awards Book “The World’s Best Architecture” Hits the Shelves

This year’s volume is a true atlas of the world’s best architecture, celebrating buildings that improve the lives of people around the globe.

Architizer Editors Architizer Editors

We are thrilled to announce that the latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available! Architizer has once again partnered with Phaidon — the premier global publisher of the creative arts with over 1,500 titles in print — to publish the definitive compendium of the 2020 A+Awards winners.

Founded on the premise of democratizing architecture, the A+Awards is the industry’s largest and most international awards program and honors the best architecture, spaces, and products from across the globe. In its 8th season, the A+Awards received over 5,000 entries from 100+ countries, with a special emphasis on honoring projects that respond to imminent global challenges such as climate change, urbanization and migration, rising inequity, and pandemic. In response to global upheaval, this season’s theme – The Future of Architecture – elevates those designs that are transforming society and the built environment for generations to come.

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Phaidon "The World's Best Architecture" Volume Architizer A+Awards Book

Capsule hotel in a rural library by Atelier tao+c, Tonglu, Zhejiang Province, China. Jury & Popular Winner, 2020 A+Awards, Plus-Architecture +Adaptive Reuse; Jury Winner, 2020 A+Awards, Institutional – Libraries. 

This year’s winners include an assortment of signature firms, such as  BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, Zaha Hadid Architects, Perkins and Will and Studio Gang. Many smaller firms and up-and-coming studios also provided award-winning projects that captivated the illustrious jury and public alike. Now their work is published internationally among some of the biggest names in the industry, foreshadowing the next generation of impactful design.

With projects ranging from rural community centers to national transportation infrastructure, this year’s winners demonstrate the extraordinary impact of architecture at both local and global scales, highlighting works that act as new models for communities and cities worldwide.

Right: Forest of Numbers by emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design,
Tokyo, Japan. Jury Winner, 2020 A+Awards, Plus-Architecture +Color. Left: Cloud Forests; Pavilion for Children’s Play by UNITEDLAB Associates, Hwaseong-si, South Korea. Popular Winner, 2020 A+Awards, Plus-Architecture +Community; Plus-Architecture +Learning.

Phaidon "The World's Best Architecture" Volume Architizer A+Awards Book

CASA NAILA by BAAQ, Puerto Escondida, Mexico. Jury Winner, 2020 A+Awards, Private Houses (S <1000 sq ft). 

Half of the projects included in the book came out on top with the prestigious A+Awards jury, made up of more than 400 luminaries from fields as diverse as construction, fashion, publishing, product design, real-estate development and technology. The jury represents a sought-after segment of design-savvy professionals, and the Jury Winners therefore have a stamp of industry-wide approval.

The other half secured Popular Choice awards, having been voted the best according to hundreds of thousands of votes by a global, public audience. The resulting collection of projects is therefore a true and comprehensive reflection the world’s finest architecture, in the eyes of all that experience it. Whether a large commercial space or small pavilion, each winning project demonstrated architectural excellence through clever planning, brilliant teamwork and innovative uses of technology.

Phaidon "The World's Best Architecture" Volume Architizer A+Awards Book

Wyndham by MIA Design Studio, Phu Quoc, Vietnam

This diverse range of A+Award-winning projects are honored within the hardbound covers of this illustrated compendium. And, thanks to Phaidon’s global sales and distribution network, these projects will be seen and celebrated by design enthusiasts, architectural peers, and potential clients across the world. Each featured project is accompanied by stunning photographs printed in full color on premium-quality paper. 

Phaidon "The World's Best Architecture" Volume Architizer A+Awards Book

A sneak peek of the new A+Awards Book — the cover image features the Saemoonan Church by Lee Eunseok+KOMA in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea, Jury Winner in the 2020 A+Awards in the Religious Buildings & Memorials category. 

This year’s volume is a true atlas of the world’s best architecture, with scores of countries represented. All told, Phaidon’s publication celebrates the ability of architects to create buildings that improve the lives of people around the globe. It is this far-reaching context that makes “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” an essential addition to the library of discerning design lovers everywhere.

Thank you to every single participant in this year’s A+Awards — the world of architecture and design is richer thanks to your hard work and dedication, and we are honored to be able to share your work with the world.

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