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
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!