18 of the world's most extraordinary new buildings

In 2026, the World Architecture Festival unveiled its shortlist of the most extraordinary new architectural projects from around the world. This year, 416 buildings were submitted, but only 18 made it to the Building of the Year shortlist. The festival recognized projects in four categories: completed buildings, future projects, interiors, and landscape. A panel of 164 judges, representing 37 countries, will judge the completed buildings and determine the winner.

One of the completed building finalists is 270 Park Avenue in New York, USA. This 60-story, electric-powered tower houses 10,000 employees and offers flexible and collaborative spaces. Another completed building finalist is Alila Mayakoba in Mexico, which underwent extensive renovation to become a luxury resort. The resort's arrival pavilion features a reflecting pool that brings natural light and ventilation into the lobby, while the rest of the property was redesigned to cater to community needs.

Innovative energy-efficient designs were also recognized, with Amami House in Japan being one of them. This residence on Amami Island relies entirely on solar energy and is designed to be independent in response to environmental concerns. Similarly, Aqualuna in Toronto, Canada, features 215 residential units with outdoor spaces and was designed by Danish apartments with a central courtyard to foster community.

The festival also celebrated historic transformations, such as Citadella in Budapest, Hungary. Originally a fortress, it was converted into a museum and free park for the city. Crest Nine in Maharashtra, India, is a community center designed for a gated community and includes a sports room, gymnasium, restaurant, bar, and guest bedrooms. The Folia in Zhejiang Province, China, is a mixed-use building containing a hotel, offices, retail, and apartments, designed to resemble a step in a bamboo forest.