RIBA announces list of world's 20 best new buildings
– Ben Derbyshire, RIBA president
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the 20 buildings that have won its International Excellence Awards, one of which will go one to be named the world's nest new building by the design body.
The buildings, from 16 countries, range in scale and typology and include a number of leisure projects.
“The RIBA Awards for International Excellence 2018 are a testament to the breadth and quality of architecture being created around the world,” said RIBA president Ben Derbyshire. “These 20 outstanding projects were selected for their architectural ambition, design ingenuity and excellence of execution. Importantly, they demonstrate the significant and far-reaching contribution that architecture makes to our daily lives.”
Audain Art Museum, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, by Patkau Architects
Jury quote: “Overall it is a very elegant gallery which exploits its beautiful forest setting. It uses the site and climate constraints to inform the design that is modest, considered and well built.”
Museum Voorlinden, Wassenaar, The Netherlands, by Kraaijvanger Architects
Jury quote: “Overall, the building provides a beautiful setting for its modern collection and temporary exhibitions – it sits well in its surroundings. It aspires to be a timeless piece and brings Renzo Piano’s de Menil gallery in Texas to mind.”
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens, Greece, by Renzo Piano Building Workshop with BETAPLAN
Jury quote: “The project is very important for Greece and Athens. It is patently successful, having already been embraced by the general public - drawing large numbers of people from the city to a delightful park and two world-class venues.”
Musee d'arts de Nantes, nantes, France, by Stanton Williams
Jury quote: “The conservation, alteration and major extension of Nante’s Musee d’Arts is a project of particular interest and importance.
“The major work of opening-up the elevated, main entrance to the Musee by removing the original tall railings and gates and extending the three flights of granite steps across the full width of the recess between the wings, coupled with the attractive repaving of the street in subtly coloured and patterned granite setts and the introduction of a pair of elegantly detailed, glazed structures – one containing a platform lift, the other, containing a changing art-work – have provided welcoming access to the building from the City.”
• BBVA Bancomer Tower, Mexico City, Mexico, by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners with Legorreta + Legorreta
• Buendner Kunstmuseum Chur, Chur, Switzerland, by Barozzi Veiga
• Captain Kelly's Cottage, Tasmania, Australia, by John Wardle Architects
• Central European University – Phase 1, Budapest, Hungary, by O'Donnell + Tuomey with M-Teampannon Kft
• Children Village, Formoso do Araguaia, Brazil, by Alephzero with Rosenbaum
• Lanka Learning Center, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, by Feat Collective
• M4 Metro Line Budapest, Budapest, Hungary, by Palatium Studio, with Budapesti Epitomuveszeti Muhely, Gelesz es Lenzser Epiteszeti, Puhl es Dajka Epitesz Iroda, sporaarchitects, VPI Epitesz Studio and Palatium M4 Projekt
• Mount Herzl Memorial Hall, Jerusalem, Israel, by Kimmel Eshkolot Architects in collaboration with Kalush Chechick Architects
• Sancaklar Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, by EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture
• Studio Dwelling at Rajagiriya, Colombo, Sri Lanka, by Palinda Kannangara Architects
• Tatsumi Apartment House, Tokyo, Japan, by Hiroyuki Ito Architects
• The Ancient Church of Vilanova de la Barca, Spain, by AleaOlea architecture & landscape
• Toho Gakuen School of Music, Tokyo, Japan, by Nikken Sekkei
• University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
• Vertical Forest, Milan, Italy, by Boeri Studio with Studio Emanuela Borio and Laura Gatti
• Xiao Jing Wan University, Shenzhen, China, by Foster + Partners with GDI
The 20 winning projects form the longlist for the RIBA International Prize 2018. The shortlist of four buildings will be announced in September 2018 and the winner will be revealed by the Grand Jury – led by Elizabeth Diller – in November 2018.
Open to any qualified architect in the world, the Prize is awarded to “the most significant and inspirational building of the year.”
The inaugural accolade was awarded in 2016 to Grafton Architects, curators of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale, for their Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología building in Lima, Peru.
Meanwhile, RIBA has also announced the RIBA International Emerging Architect 2018. Gustavo Utrabo and Pedro Duschenes, founders of Brazilian architecture firm Aleph Zero, are the recipients, for their Children Village in Formoso do Araguaia, Brazil, which provides boarding accommodation for 540 senior school children.
RIBA architecture RIBA International Prize Ben Derbyshire Elizabeth DillerRIBA International Prize longlist revealed, but which leisure buildings are in contention?
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
