The Architecture World Tour: 80 Brilliant Buildings Across 6 Continents

Architizer’s A+Awards is proud to be the most far-reaching awards program in the world.

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With a completely online submission and voting system, Architizer’s A+Awards is proud to be the most far-reaching awards program in the world. Whether you are practicing your craft in the most remote part of Siberia, working away in the heart of Mexico City or designing your heart out on the south coast of Australia, you can enter — all you need is a Wi-Fi connection and an amazing project, built or unbuilt.

This is a truly global celebration, and in recognition of this fact, we’ve taken a virtual tour around the world to see what great architecture looks like today. Here, you can browse our carefully curated collection of global projects spanning six continents, each of which was shortlisted or won a coveted A+Award during the past five years. Enjoy this epic guide to great design, and make sure to submit your project for the 7th Annual A+Awards this week to take advantage of the early entry discount!

Dalian International Conference Center by Coop Himmelb(l)au, Dalian, China

Daeyang Gallery and House by Steven Holl Architects, Seoul, South Korea

Tiantai No.2 Primary School by LYCS Architecture, China

Asia’s Most Astounding Architecture

“From China’s soaring towers to critically designed spaces in Japan and Taiwan, these monumental projects represent emerging ideas on culture and place,” said Baldwin. “Both private and public, the designs reimagine building techniques and forms to create new experiences. Together, they form the beginning of our architectural journey around the world.”

As recognized in past A+Awards programs, the top projects in Asia include:

Sliced Porosity Block by Steven Holl Architects, Chengdu, China

China Steel Corporation Headquarters by KRIS YAO | ARTECH, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Dalian International Conference Center by Coop Himmelb(l)au, Dalian, China

Daeyang Gallery and House by Steven Holl Architects, Seoul, South Korea

Huaxin Business Center by Scenic Architecture, Shanghai, China

Pop-Up Habitat by People’s Architecture Office, Beijing, China

L’Angolino by GENETO, Tatebayashi, Japan

Fabulous Group – Wulai Parking Structure by Q-Lab, Taipei, Taiwan

Baan Suan Mook Resort by Sook Architects, Hua Hin, Thailand

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC Clubhouse by Suh Architects, Bongdong-eup, Wanju-gun, South Korea

Tiantai No.2 Primary School by LYCS Architecture, China

Ring of Celestial Bliss by J.J.Pan and Partners, Hsinchu City, Taiwan

China Merchants Tower & Woods Park Master Plan by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Shenzhen, China

Shinsegae International by Olson Kundig, Seoul, South Korea

COEX by Gensler, Seoul, South Korea

Sayama Forest Chapel by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP, Tokorozawa, Japan

To see images of every project, click here.

Thread Artist Residency by Toshiko Mori Architect, Sinthian, Senegal

Primary School Tanouan Ibi by LEVS architecten, Mali

OVD 919 by SAOTA, Cape Town, South Africa

Africa’s Outstanding Buildings

“As the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent, Africa holds rich cultural diversity,” emphasized Baldwin. “From the Sahara Desert to the islands of the western Indian Ocean, the continent includes over 50 countries with unique social and spatial histories. Exploring buildings that reinterpret local traditions and construction methods, each design embraces new formal and spatial ideas.”

The top picks from across Africa include:

Butaro Doctors’ Housing by MASS Design Group, Butaro, Rwanda

Armadillo Crèche by Cornell University Sustainable Design, Johannesburg, South Africa

Thread Artist Residency by Toshiko Mori Architect, Sinthian, Senegal

Primary School Tanouan Ibi by LEVS architecten, Mali

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge by Michaelis Boyd, Botswana

Butaro Hospital by MASS Design Group, Burera, Rwanda

OVD 919 by SAOTA, Cape Town, South Africa

Mizengo Pinda Asali & Nyuki Sanctuary – Beekeeping & Education Center by Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects, Dodoma, Tanzania

International Conference Center by Tabanlioglu Architects, Dakar, Senegal

To see images of every project, click here.

RMIT Design Hub by Sean Godsell Architects, Melbourne, Australia

© John Gollings Photography

© John Gollings Photography

The Aria by MHN Design Union, Sydney, Australia

The Great Wall of WA by Luigi Rosselli Architects, Western Australia, Australia

Australasia’s Award-Winning Projects

“As a region within Oceania that comprises Australia, New Zealand and various islands in the South Pacific, Australasia borders Indomalaya along the Wallace Line,” explained Baldwin. “The region’s architecture combines West Papuan and Māori traditions with Anglo-Celtic building methods. Culturally and spatially diverse, these projects showcase how contemporary designers are rethinking vernacular forms through modern approaches.”

The very best architecture in Australasia includes:

Lune de Sang Sheds by CHROFI, Byron Bay, Australia

Barangaroo Reserve by PWP Landscape Architecture, Sydney, Australia

Hut on Sleds by Crosson Architects, Whangapoua, New Zealand

Prahran Hotel by Techne Architects, Melbourne, Australia

RMIT Design Hub by Sean Godsell Architects, Melbourne, Australia

The Yardmaster’s Building by McBride Charles Ryan, Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne School of Design by NADAAA and John Wardle Architects, Melbourne, Australia

The Aria by MHN Design Union, Sydney, Australia

Wollongong Central Development by HDR, Wollongong, Australia

The Great Wall of WA by Luigi Rosselli Architects, Western Australia, Australia

To see images of every project, click here.

Blue Planet by 3XN, Kastrup, Denmark

Community Church Knarvik by Reiulf Ramstad Architects, Knarvik, Norway

Messner Mountain Museum Corones by Zaha Hadid Architects, South Tyrol, Italy

Europe’s Monumental Designs

“As the birthplace of Western civilization, Europe’s classic works of architecture have influenced building traditions the world over,” said Baldwin. “In contrast to some of these historic structures, new European buildings exhibit both sensitive and iconic approaches alike. Designed to reinterpret the past and celebrate modern life, contemporary European projects explore issues of urbanization, climate change and cultural exchange.”

The most compelling contemporary projects across Europe include:

Malopolska Garden of Arts by Ingarden & Ewy Architekci, Krakow, Poland

SUPERKILEN by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), Topotek 1 and Superflex, Copenhagen, Denmark

Kaap Skil, Maritime and Beachcombers Museum by Mecanoo, Oudeschild, Texel, Netherlands

Blue Planet by 3XN, Kastrup, Denmark

National Tourist Route Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects, Trollstigen plateau, Norway

Danish National Maritime Museum by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), Helsingør, Denmark

Bombay Sapphire Distillery by Heatherwick Studio, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Moesgaard Museum by Henning Larsen Architects, Aarhus, Denmark

Kilden by ALA Architects, Kristiansand, Norway

New School of Architecture, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, Stockholm, Sweden

Community Church Knarvik by Reiulf Ramstad Architects, Knarvik, Norway

Carnal Hall at Le Rosey by Bernard Tschumi Architects, Rolle, Switzerland

Messner Mountain Museum Corones by Zaha Hadid Architects, South Tyrol, Italy

U.K. Pavilion Milan Expo by Wolfgang Buttress, Milan, Italy

Crematorium Hofheide by RCR Arquitectes, Holsbeek, Belgium

JTI Headquarters by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Geneva, Switzerland

To see images of every project, click here.

Carrasco International Airport by Rafael Vinoly Architects, Montevideo, Uruguay

JOÁ CHAPEL by Bernardes Arquitetura, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Nave Do Conhecimento — “Knowledge Ship” by RioUrbe, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

South America’s Bold New Architecture

“From the iconic works of Brasilia to Alejandro Aravena’s critical architecture across Chile, South America has gained international acclaim for its unique architecture,” asserted Baldwin. “Building upon the legacy of architects like Paula Mendes da Rocha, Oscar Niemeyer and Lina Bo Bardi, contemporary designers are finding new ways to reinterpret tradition and embrace modern life.”

Some of the best South American projects from previous A+Awards programs include:

Carrasco International Airport by Rafael Vinoly Architects, Montevideo, Uruguay

MAR – Museu de Arte do Rio by Bernardes Arquitetura, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cabañas Morerava by AATA ARQUITECTOS, Isla de Pascua, Chile

Casa Delta by Bernardes Arquitetura, Guarujá, Brazil

BRT Station by Gustavo Penna Arquiteto & Associados, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

JOÁ CHAPEL by Bernardes Arquitetura, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Nave Do Conhecimento — “Knowledge Ship” by RioUrbe, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

To see images of every project, click here.

Uber Headquarters by SHoP Architects, San Francisco, Calif., United States

Soumaya Museum by FR-EE/Fernando Romero Enterprise, Mexico City, Mexico

WMS Boathouse at Clark Park by Studio Gang Architects, Chicago, Ill., United States

North America’s Landmark Projects

“Comprised of 23 countries, North America is home to architecture that has dramatically impacted design the world over,” said Baldwin. “Encompassing both buildings and landscape projects, this collection expands our focus to cover some of the world’s most influential designs. From the High Line in New York to the Soumaya Museum in Mexico City, the projects explore urbanism and civic life through expressive forms and public space.”

As shortlisted in past A+Awards, the top projects throughout North America include:

Philadelphia Navy Yards Central Green by James Corner Field Operations, Philadelphia, Pa., United States

Uber Headquarters by SHoP Architects, San Francisco, Calif., United States

National September 11 Memorial by Handel Architects, New York, N.Y., United States

Cineteca Nacional Siglo XXI by Rojkind Arquitectos, Mexico City, Mexico

Columbia Building by Skylab Architecture, Portland, Ore., United States

James B. Hunt Library by Snøhetta and Clark Nexsen, Raleigh, N.C., United States

Soumaya Museum by FR-EE/Fernando Romero Enterprise, Mexico City, Mexico

Milstein Hall by OMA, Ithaca, N.Y., United States

Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square by James Corner Field Operations, Santa Monica, Calif., United States

WMS Boathouse at Clark Park by Studio Gang Architects, Chicago, Ill., United States

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts by Studio Pali Fekete architects [SPF:a], Beverly Hills, Calif., United States

Glacier Skywalk by Sturgess Architecture, Jasper, Canada

Wild Turkey Bourbon Visitor Center by De Leon & Primmer Architecture Workshop, Lawrenceburg, Ky., United States

To see images of every project, click here.

Want to get in on the action? Submit your project for the 2019 edition of the A+Awards and make your project an essential stop on our next architectural world tour!

Enter the 2019 A+Awards

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