Architecture

Sloping, soaring and simply sublime: 2025's best buildings

Sloping, soaring and simply sublime: 2025's best buildings
Wuhan Snow World, by CLOU architects, is an indoor ski center located in China. The project is one of 460 to be highlighted in the 2025 WAF shortlist
Wuhan Snow World, by CLOU architects, is an indoor ski center located in China. The project is one of 460 to be highlighted in the 2025 WAF shortlist
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Wuhan Snow World, by CLOU architects, is an indoor ski center located in China. The project is one of 460 to be highlighted in the 2025 WAF shortlist
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Wuhan Snow World, by CLOU architects, is an indoor ski center located in China. The project is one of 460 to be highlighted in the 2025 WAF shortlist
Ritual Space, by GEOMIM, is located in Turkey and forms a beautifully designed wellness retreat
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Ritual Space, by GEOMIM, is located in Turkey and forms a beautifully designed wellness retreat
MOREPRK Skyline, by AAN Architects, is located in China and creates an indoor skate park high above the city streets
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MOREPRK Skyline, by AAN Architects, is located in China and creates an indoor skate park high above the city streets
Sauska Tokaj, by BORD Architectural Studio, is located in Hungary and shapes up as a greenery filled winery
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Sauska Tokaj, by BORD Architectural Studio, is located in Hungary and shapes up as a greenery filled winery
Populus, by Studio Gang, is located in Colorado, USA and takes the form of an eye-catching hotel and social hub
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Populus, by Studio Gang, is located in Colorado, USA and takes the form of an eye-catching hotel and social hub
Fenix, by MAD Architects, is located in the Netherlands and is defined by a twisting stainless steel staircase and viewing point
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Fenix, by MAD Architects, is located in the Netherlands and is defined by a twisting stainless steel staircase and viewing point
Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel, by GLA Architects, is located in China and is a boutique hotel located in a lush forest
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Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel, by GLA Architects, is located in China and is a boutique hotel located in a lush forest
One Za'abeel, by Nikken Sekkei, is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and consists of two skyscrapers joined by a horizontal structure named the Link
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One Za'abeel, by Nikken Sekkei, is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and consists of two skyscrapers joined by a horizontal structure named the Link
NYPD 40th Precinct, by Bjarke Ingels Group, is located in New York City, USA and is focused on community engagement
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NYPD 40th Precinct, by Bjarke Ingels Group, is located in New York City, USA and is focused on community engagement
Embracing Flood – Xinjiang River Ecological Corridor, by Turenscape Shangrao City, is located in China and creates a new park that is designed to handle periodic flooding
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Embracing Flood – Xinjiang River Ecological Corridor, by Turenscape Shangrao City, is located in China and creates a new park that is designed to handle periodic flooding
Netherlands Pavilion Expo 2025 Osaka, by RAU Architects & Tellart Osaka, is located in Japan and showcases the Netherlands' commitment to innovation and sustainability
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Netherlands Pavilion Expo 2025 Osaka, by RAU Architects & Tellart Osaka, is located in Japan and showcases the Netherlands' commitment to innovation and sustainability
Mandai Rainforest Resort, by WOW Architects and Warner Wong design, is located in Singapore and invites visitors to connect with nature
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Mandai Rainforest Resort, by WOW Architects and Warner Wong design, is located in Singapore and invites visitors to connect with nature
Habitat Qinhuangdao, by Safdie Architects, is located in China and is a high-profile residential complex by the renowned studio
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Habitat Qinhuangdao, by Safdie Architects, is located in China and is a high-profile residential complex by the renowned studio
Klaipėda State Musical Theatre, by MAMA architects, is located in Lithuania and is the country's largest professional performing arts center
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Klaipėda State Musical Theatre, by MAMA architects, is located in Lithuania and is the country's largest professional performing arts center
Naxxar House, by AP Valletta, is located in Malta and involved the refurbishment and extension of an 18th-century townhouse
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Naxxar House, by AP Valletta, is located in Malta and involved the refurbishment and extension of an 18th-century townhouse
Fondation de Chine, by Coldefy, is located in France and doubles as a student residence and cultural center
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Fondation de Chine, by Coldefy, is located in France and doubles as a student residence and cultural center
Van der Vlugt Residence, by STRANG Design, is located in Florida and is a beautiful residence on a relatively unspoiled stretch of coastline
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Van der Vlugt Residence, by STRANG Design, is located in Florida and is a beautiful residence on a relatively unspoiled stretch of coastline
Desert Rock, by Oppenheim Architecture, is located in Saudi Arabia and carves a luxury tourist retreat into the desert
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Desert Rock, by Oppenheim Architecture, is located in Saudi Arabia and carves a luxury tourist retreat into the desert
Angra House, by Studio Arthur Casas, is located in Brazil and involved renovating a modernist house
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Angra House, by Studio Arthur Casas, is located in Brazil and involved renovating a modernist house
Central Station, by Woods Bagot, in collaboration with John McAslan, is located in Australia and creates a new metro station in Sydney
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Central Station, by Woods Bagot, in collaboration with John McAslan, is located in Australia and creates a new metro station in Sydney
View gallery - 20 images

The World Architecture Festival (WAF) has revealed its shortlist for 2025's best new buildings. Encompassing 460 projects, from the small scale to the supertall, it's a great opportunity to check out amazing architecture from around the globe.

The 460 shortlisted projects include some big names like the Bjarke Ingels Group and Foster + Partners, alongside lesser-known studios. The USA is the most represented country this year, with China, UK, Singapore, UAE, and Japan also heavily featured.

We'll be back later in the year to report on the winner of the competition, the World Building of the Year, following a ceremony held in Miami, but until then we've highlighted some standout designs below. Additionally, the gallery includes a selection of 20 projects chosen by the WAF.

"We are delighted to be staging WAF in the USA for the first time and also thrilled that so many USA architects have entered the awards," says WAF program director Paul Finch. "We have also seen an increase in entries from Central and South America. The overall quality of the shortlist is as good as it has ever been, and we look forward to seeing over 460 presentations in Miami Beach this November."

One Za'abeel, by Nikken Sekkei, is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and consists of two skyscrapers joined by a horizontal structure named the Link
One Za'abeel, by Nikken Sekkei, is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and consists of two skyscrapers joined by a horizontal structure named the Link

One Za'abeel, by Japan's Nikken Sekkei, is a remarkable skyscraper in Dubai that takes the form of two adjacent towers supporting a bridge section that forms the world's longest cantilever.

One Za'abeel's towers rise to a height of 235 m (770 ft) and 305 m (1,000 ft), respectively, and contain residential space, office space, and a hotel between them. They're connected by a horizontal section named the Link, which is anchored to both towers at a height of 100 m (328 ft) above a busy highway. It measures 230 m (754 ft) in length and is topped by an infinity swimming pool and viewing points, with views of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, available. Its interior has restaurants and lounge areas, and it serves as a bridge to access each building.

Fenix, by MAD Architects, is located in the Netherlands and is defined by a twisting stainless steel staircase and viewing point
Fenix, by MAD Architects, is located in the Netherlands and is defined by a twisting stainless steel staircase and viewing point

Fenix was designed by MAD Architects and is located in the Netherlands. The project involved transforming a historic warehouse into a museum exploring themes of global migration, and is crowned by an eye-catching "Tornado" on its roof.

The impressive steel structure hosts a twisting, double-helix staircase. It extends 550 m (1,804 ft) in length and includes 336 steps, plus an elevator. It's clad in 297 polished stainless-steel panels – each requiring over 100 hours of polishing – and culminates in a rooftop viewing platform and canopy offering superb views of the area.

Source: WAF

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