Geometries of Gathering: Architecture That Blurs the Line Between Civic Scales and Commercial Programs

Multipurpose design meets monumental clarity in masterful examples of how architectural identity can unify divergent uses.

Ifeoma Nduka

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Aside from accommodating crowds, event spaces are spectacular opportunities for architecture to perform. Whether designed for sports, culture or general entertainment gatherings, these buildings make a public claim through scale, material and spatial rhythm. The six projects featured in this article are winners of the 13th Architizer A+Awards, recognized by the votes of a jury of AEC leaders from around the world, as well as the votes of the global public.

Across different programs, these venues are united by a desire to call attention to themselves. Some are civic in scale, and some others are compact and sculptural. But all of them place visual presence and spatial performance at the core of their design. They manage crowd flow, activate the senses, and define the tone of the event and functions they host. Spanning sports arenas, cultural hubs and public gathering spaces, these six projects demonstrate how bold architecture can enhance the experience of coming together.

OPEN ARENA | National Athletics Center

By NAPUR Architect, Budapest, Hungary

Popular Choice Winner, Stadium and Arena, 13th Architizer A+Awards

The Open Arena in Budapest is a stadium designed to stand out. Its most defining feature is its form. A circular plan is wrapped in a structural frame of angled steel columns that rise and tilt outward in a clear, repetitive rhythm. This gives the building a bold edge and a constant sense of motion. During the day, the exposed structure frames the open interior. At night, a lighting system transforms the stadium into a glowing ring, sometimes with red, white, and green lights pulsing across the façade in reference to the colors of the Hungarian flag.

The combination of steel, structure and light gives the building a civic presence that is both architectural and symbolic. From a distance, it reads as a continuous ring positioned along the Danube. It anchors the riverbank and becomes part of the city’s skyline. It is a bold venue that excels in form and leaves a strong impression, day or night.

Portland International Airport Main Terminal Expansion

By ZGF Architects, Portland, Oregon

Jury Winner, Transport Interiors, 13th Architizer A+Awards

The Portland International Airport terminal expansion is led by its structure and scale. Its most defining feature is a massive timber roof that spans the entire terminal in one sweeping gesture. The roof’s curved form and exposed wood construction make it feel like a single sculptural surface, setting the tone before passengers even check in. It’s not subtle. The structure asserts itself as the primary design element, bringing weight and presence to what is usually a transitional space.

A dense grid of skylights also breaks up the mass and pulls in natural light, creating a soft surface. As a public venue, the terminal is designed to accommodate both movement and stillness simultaneously. The roof defines the space, but the layout stays open and adaptable. From below, the warm materiality is dramatic at scale and impossible to ignore. It is a civic space that elevates the everyday travel experience through bold, deliberate form.

Multifunctional Landmark on the Riverbank

By Studio 9, Tbilisi, Georgia

Jury Winner & Popular Choice Winner, Mixed Use (S <25,000 sq ft.), 13th Architizer A+Awards

The Multifunctional Landmark on the Riverbank is small in size but hard to miss. The building rises as a solid, sculpted mass at the edge of the water. Its concrete form is clean and compact, shaped by sharp angles and deep cuts that catch the light throughout the day. The exterior is minimal, but the geometry gives it weight and presence. From across the river, it stands out as a bold venue that defines its surroundings rather than blending in.

The building is designed to be flexible. It can accommodate exhibitions, events or public gatherings, depending on the space’s intended use. Large openings on the façade pull in light and connect the interior to its setting. Inside, the layout is simple and open. The design lets the form speak for itself. This is a small venue that achieves a great deal with very little by utilizing shape, scale and material to make a clear architectural statement.

Virunga Mountain Spirits Distillery

By BE_Design, Northern Province, Rwanda

Jury Winner & Popular Choice Winner, Architecture +Low‑Cost Design, 13th Architizer A+Awards

The Virunga Mountain Spirits Distillery is more than a place of production. It is a bold, form-driven building that acts as a public venue and a symbol of local identity. The building is located at the base of the Virunga volcanoes in northern Rwanda. It uses strong geometry and raw materials to make an immediate visual impact. The central prismoid glass pavilion features a see-through apex, showcasing the machinery on display.

The distillery welcomes visitors with a tasting room, gift shop, kitchen and reception area. These public spaces turn the building into a cultural and educational destination. The architects used material choices — glass, copper and stone — to reinforce the building’s presence and purpose.

Paper Island

By COBE, Copenhagen, Denmark

Jury Winner, Mixed Use (L >25,000 sq ft.), 13th Architizer A+Awards

Paper Island in Copenhagen turns a former industrial site into a new public landmark. Designed by COBE, the project replaces low warehouses with a bold cluster of pitched-roof volumes arranged across the island’s edge. Each block reads clearly on its own, but together they form a unified massing that gives the project a strong and recognizable silhouette. The gabled shapes draw from the city’s historic rooflines, but scale and repetition make them feel contemporary and assertive. Seen from across the harbor, the geometry is clean and consistent, anchoring the island in the city’s skyline.

The project combines cultural, commercial and public programs, transforming the site into a destination for both locals and visitors. It includes a large public hall, food market, swimming areas and event spaces — all connected by generous walkways and outdoor terraces. The architecture leads with rhythm and form, but supports a wide range of activity. With this project, COBE transforms a previously closed site into a bold civic venue that is open, visible and designed to host life at every scale.

SAP Garden

By 3XN, Munich, Germany

Jury Winner, 13th Architizer A+Awards, Stadium and Arena

SAP Garden’s architecture is immediately striking. It has an oval form that is asymmetrical in both height and plan. This gives it an organic presence that softens its scale within the larger Olympic Park context. Instead of asserting itself through aggressive volume, the building folds gently into the surrounding landscape. This presence is aided by a green roof and a park-like artificial hill that conceals the training rinks beneath. This allows the arena to feel like a continuation of the terrain rather than a separate object.

However, what immediately communicates a bold presence and asserts the visual weight of the building is the facade. The 260 geometrically unique vertical pilasters have a deliberate rhythm that makes the building appear to shift and ripple as you move around it. It’s a form-driven structure that sets the tone before anything begins inside.