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Seven ZHA projects nominated for ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards

ArchDaily has nominated seven projects from ZHA to compete for the 11th edition of its Building of the Year Award (BOTY): The Changsha Meixihu International Culture and Art Centre in the Cultural Architecture category; Leeza SOHO in the Offices category; Beijing Daxing International Airport and the Niederhafen River Promenade in the Public Architecture category; Opus in the Hospitality Architecture category; the Al Janoub Stadium in the Sports Architecture category; and Generali Tower in Offices category.

The Changsha Meixihu International Culture and Art Centre’s organic architectural language is defined by pedestrian routes that weave through the site to connect with neighbouring streets. Providing views of the adjacent Meixi Lake from the city and giving access to the parks and walking trails on Festival Island, this ensemble of three separate institutions is the largest cultural centre in Hunan province and connects directly with its station on Line 2 of Changsha’s new Metro System.  

Leeza SOHO’s site is diagonally dissected by an underground subway service tunnel at the intersection of five new lines currently under construction on Beijing’s Subway network. Straddling this tunnel, the tower’s design divides its volume into two halves enclosed by a single facade. The space between these two halves extends the full height of the tower, creating the world’s tallest atrium at 194m which rotates as the tower rises to realign the upper floors with Lize road to the north.

The Beijing Daxing International Airport will initially serve 45 million passengers per year, and accommodate 72 million travellers by 2025 with further expansion for 100 million passengers and 4 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2040. The airport’s 700,000m² passenger terminal’s compact radial design allows a maximum number of aircraft to be parked directly at the terminal with minimum distances from the centre of the building, providing exceptional convenience for passengers and flexibility in operations.

The Niederhafen River Promenade in Hamburg by ZHA is integral to the modernisation and reinforcement of the city’s flood protection system and incorporates the city’s riverside walkway providing panoramic views of the Elbe and its historic port, reconnecting its river promenade with the surrounding urban fabric by creating links with adjacent neighbourhoods. Wide staircases resembling small amphitheatres are carved within the flood protection barrier at points where streets from the adjacent neighbourhoods meet the structure; giving passers-by at street level views of the people strolling along the promenade at the top of the barrier and views of the masts & superstructures of ships in the Elbe.

Located within Burj Khalifa district of Dubai, the Opus is designed as two separate towers that coalesce into a singular whole—taking the form of a cube. The cube is then ‘carved’, creating a central void that is an important volume within the building in its own right—providing views to the exterior from the centre of the building. These two towers are linked by a four-storey atrium at ground level and also connected by an asymmetric 38 metre wide, three-storey bridge that is 71 metres above the ground. The free-formed fluidity of the Opus’ eight-storey void contrasts with the precise orthogonal geometry of its surrounding cube.

The Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar was inaugurated last May by hosting the 2019 Amir Cup Final. The first new venue commissioned for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the stadium incorporates an operable roof to shade the field of play. Passive design principles along with detailed computer modelling and wind tunnel testing were employed to maximise the effectiveness of the enclosure for player and spectator comfort. Reflecting Al Wakrah’s maritime heritage, the stadium’s design incorporates local cultural references combined with practical responses to climate, context & functional requirements. Al Janoub’s 40,000 seating capacity for the World Cup will be reduced to 20,000 seats after 2022 - optimum capacity as home ground to the local Al Wakrah Sport Club professional team.

Experiencing an exciting renaissance over recent years with enlightened patrons of the city’s art, fashion and architecture, Milan received the 2019 Wallpaper* Design Award for Best City who listed the new Generali Tower’s contribution to an evolving cityscape that combines Milan’s traditional grandeur with a contemporary architectural language. Generali Tower is within City Life, the largest new civic space and public park in Milan since Parco Sempione opened 130 years ago. Awarded LEED Gold certification by the US Green Building Council, the tower houses up to 3,900 employees to meet Generali’s continued growth as one of the world’s largest financial institutions.

Nominate Changsha Meixihu International Culture and Art Centre
Nominate Leeza SOHO
Nominate Beijing Daxing International Airport
Nominate Niederhafen River Promenade
Nominate Opus
Nominate Al Janoub Stadium
Nominate Generali Tower