Second annual Architizer A+ Awards honor outstanding architecture worldwide

by Brianna Crandall — April 30, 2014—Online architecture database Architizer recently announced that architectural firms Zaha Hadid Architects, Studio Fuksas, SOM, and BIG are among the winners of its 2nd Annual A+ Awards for outstanding new architecture around the globe. A total of 129 firms and companies are represented among the winning projects, as decided by juried and popular vote in 60+ categories. Alongside honorees, A+ Award winners will be recognized at the Architizer A+ Awards Gala on May 15 in New York City.

Comprising diverse and innovative global projects from “starchitects” to emerging firms, this year’s winners represent the best new architecture, interiors, and products, says Architizer. An esteemed jury of over 300 industry leaders selected the Jury winners, while an online public vote determined the Popular Choice winners, with votes from over 100 countries and territories.

“This year our 129 winners are a celebration of the breadth of architecture’s influence and are an extraordinary cross-section of the relevance and innovation of the field of architecture,” commented Marc Kushner, CEO Architizer.

In addition to the A+ Awards, Architizer also presents Special Achievement Awards to those who have raised awareness and made various contributions within the field.

Among the 129 Architizer A+ Award winners for 2014, Architizer pointed out the following in particular:

  • Architecture + Light (Jury): The High Line, L’Observatoire Internation (James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro)
  • Architecture + Engineering and Airports (Jury): Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Knippers Helbig GmbH (Studio Fuksas)
  • Pop-Ups and Temporary (Jury): Pop Up Habitat, People’s Architecture Office
  • Museums (Jury): Danish Maritime Museum, Bjarke Ingels Group
  • Residential Single Family Home >3,000 sq. ft. (Jury and Popular Choice): Villa Kogelhof, Paul de Rutier Architects
  • Sports and Recreation (Jury): Gammel Hellerup Gymnasium, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
  • Theatres and Performing Arts Centers (Popular Choice): Heydar Aliyev Center, Zaha Hadid Architects

    • The Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, features a design that is a departure from the rigid and often monumental architecture of the former Soviet Union that is so prevalent in Baku, aspiring instead to express the sensibilities and diversity of Azeri culture.

  • Architecture + Art (Jury): Hylozoic Series, Philip Beesley Architect Inc.
  • Memorials (Popular Choice): National September 11 Memorial, Handel Architects LLP
  • Religious Building (Jury): Abbey of St. Maurice, Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes
  • Architecture + Light (Popular Choice): Starlight, Cooper Joseph Studio
  • Architecture + Workspace (Jury): Red Bull New York Office, INABA Inc.
  • Architecture + Mobility (Popular Choice): Salford Meadows Bridge, Standard
  • Products + Partnerships (Jury): Tools for Life by OMA, Knoll
  • Products + Landscapes (Popular Choice): Pérez Art Museum Hanging Gardens, JTI Custom

For a complete list of 2014 winners, along with project details and photographs, visit the Architizer Web site. Winners will be celebrated at a red carpet ceremony at Highline Stages in New York City on May 15 during NYCxDESIGN.