The prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has launched a brand new architecture award: the RIBA International Prize. The finalists consist of six high-profile projects from around the globe that RIBA feels exemplify the best in modern public architecture.
The six finalists were chosen from a total of 30 entries hailing from five continents. RIBA's judges will now travel to visit each shortlisted building in person and the winner will be announced on November 24.
We've picked out some highlights below, but be sure to head to our gallery for a look at all of the nominees.
Heydar Aliyev Centre – Zaha Hadid Architects
We've enthused about Zaha Hadid's Heydar Aliyev Centre several times now and it remains a magnificent building.
Commissioned to celebrate Azerbaijan's authoritarian leader Heydar Aliyev, its design serves as a break from Azerbaijan's impressive Soviet-era architecture and features a graceful and flowing form that belies the significant engineering work that went into it, including a large space frame system. The brilliant white cladding serves as a landmark for Baku and the building attracts over 1,000 visitors a day.
Museo Jumex - David Chipperfield Architects
Located in Mexico City, David Chipperfield Architects' Museo Jumex is home to the world's largest private collection of contemporary Latin American art.
The museum is intended to offer visitors a quiet place of contemplation away from Mexico City's bustling streets. The interior's large public space is split between three levels and filled with light thanks to natural glazing and skylights. The building is topped by a distinctive sawtooth roof.
The Ring of Remembrance – AAP
To adequately represent the sheer horror of World War I in architectural form while remaining duly respectful is no easy task, but Notre-Dame-de-Lorette's Ring of Remembrance memorial, by Agence d'architecture Philippe Prost achieves it.
The unification of former enemies is represented by carving the names of 600,000 fallen soldiers into the concrete ring, ignoring their nationality, creed, or rank.
Source: RIBA
