Some of the most important professions start with A: Architect, for example. After all, you have the power to determine what our environment looks like. To celebrate this, the best buildings are honored annually at the A+Awards by Architizer. However, it’s not just about aesthetics and creativity, but also about who solves problems such as lack of living space and environmental impact in the most elegant way. After an overview of the finalists and winners, one thing becomes clear: the more you play around with materials, colors and shapes, the more beautiful the world becomes.
HOUSE OF COURTYARDS BY STUDIO VDGA
Popular Choice Winner, Architecture + Photography and Video
Dubai is an exclusive place to live. As a result, photographers want to capture the exterior. If there’s an Architizer Award for it, why not? True to its name, this residential building focuses on light-flooded courtyards, creating a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors.
HARUDOT CHONBURI BY IDIN ARCHITECTS
Jury Winner and Popular Choice Winner, Restaurants
You might think that a popular beach village in Thailand lacks for nothing. But the beach paradise of Chonburi is only now complete with this sprawling building, which was created in collaboration with Nana Coffee Roasters. You need your caffeine kick even with a sea view.
9720 WILSHIRE BLVD BY MONTALBA ARCHITECTS
Jury Winner and Popular Choice Winner, Commercial Renovations and Additions
Redesigning a legendary building is always risky. Since its completion in 1962, the monument designed by master architect Edward Durell Stone has enjoyed iconic status. But even legends get on in years, so last year it needed more than just a new coat of paint: the redesign included a sunken garden with a specially created sculpture.
UPPER HOUSE BY KOICHI TAKADA ARCHITECTS
Popular Choice Winner, Multi Unit Housing, High Rise
188 apartments, 33 floors – a universe of its own is created between the concrete. The shape of the gigantic residential tower is inspired by the fig tree native to Brisbane. With a wellness area, cinema and wine bar included, residents hardly need to leave their microcosm.
HOUSE 1 – ATELIER GARDENS BY MVRDV
Finalist, Architecture + Color
Bright colors in otherwise monochrome Berlin? It’s probably good for creativity, because what was once a dusty office complex is now a bubbling film and community impact campus. Adaptive work and meeting rooms as well as a café invite you to spend the whole day in the sunny yellow building.
TWO TOWERS AT MANSHAUSEN BY SNORRE STINESSEN ARCHITECTURE
Jury Winner, Architecture + Environment
Coal used to be stored in Steigen, Norway. Today, only the pitch-black wooden cladding of the two futuristic buildings is a reminder of this. With solar panels and sloping walls, the creations are energy-independent. At least as impressive: the view of the sea and, with a bit of luck, the view of the Northern Lights.
THE REFINERY AT DOMINO BY PAU
Jury Winner and Popular Choice Winner, Commercial Adaptive Reuse Projects
A New York skyscraper with a difference: sugar was once produced in this monumental building in the middle of bustling Brooklyn. Times are changing. Although sugar consumption has risen rapidly since the 19th century, the sweet gold is no longer produced in the brick-colored building. Instead, after numerous renovations, it now houses creative office workers.
TWISTED BRICK SHELL CONCEPT LIBRARY BY HCCH STUDIO
Jury Winner, Architecture + Brick
Creating something as softly flowing from angular bricks as this spiral-shaped library in rural China certainly deserves an award. Inside the approximately ten-meter-wide shell, you can read in wonderful isolation from the world, while daylight shines in from above thanks to the cleverly designed structure.
LAKESIDE TEAHOUSE BY DOMAIN ARCHITECTS
Popular Choice Winner, Architecture + Adaptive Reuses
Mixing old and new is always a good idea. Two cottages from the 1930s are connected by an ultra-modern, one-sided glazed corridor. The entire project is intended as a tea house for tourists. The fabulous view will probably attract locals just as much.
CANVAS HOUSE BY PARTISANS
Jury Winner, Architecture + Facades
Average red bricks? We all know it. How about curves and patterns in the otherwise so rigid layers of stone? What is so mesmerizing from the outside is not just a residential building, but – as the name suggests – also home to a contemporary art collection.
How different are this year’s chosen ones from last year’s edition? See for yourself.
If that wasn’t enough for you, you can scroll through all the nominees and winners here.
