anchor
UNESCO celebrates best contemporary architecture of 2022 at Prix Versailles
Expo 2020 Metro Station. Image credit: Khalid Elsaid
24 projects have been recognized as the “best in contemporary architecture” at the 2022 Prix Versailles. Chosen by UNESCO from a field of 94 finalists, the winning projects span categories including airports, campuses, sports, hotels, and restaurants.
This year’s edition of the annual awards sought to pay a “tribute to innovation, creativity, reflections of local heritage, ecological efficiency, and the values of social interaction and participation which the United Nations holds in high regard.” According to the organizers, winning projects were chosen in line with the principles of “intelligent sustainability,” encompassing each project’s ecological, social, and cultural implications.
This year’s jury was chaired by Gilles Lipovetsky (France), who was joined by Thom Mayne (United States), Lu Wenyu (China), Thomas Vonier (United States), Jasper Morrison (United Kingdom), Charlotte de Witte (Belgium), Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad - France), and Samina Baig (Pakistan).
Below, we have listed out the 24 winning entries of the 2022 edition.
AIRPORTS
Los Angeles International Airport, West Gates Terminal. Image credit: Los Angeles World Airports
- Prix Versailles: Los Angeles International Airport, West Gates Terminal in Los Angeles, CA
- Special Prize Interior: Helsinki Airport, Terminal 2 in Vantaa, Finland
- Special Prize Exterior: Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia”, Terminal 2 in Thessaloniki, Greece
CAMPUSES
London School of Economics and Political Science, Marshall Building. Image credit: Nick Kane
- Prix Versailles: London School of Economics and Political Science, Marshall Building in London, UK
- Special Prize Interior: University of Birmingham Dubai in Dubai, UAE
- Special Prize Exterior: Paris Institute of Political Studies, 1 Saint-Thomas in Paris, France
PASSENGER STATIONS
Expo 2020 Metro Station. Image credit: Petros Zouzoulas
- Prix Versailles: Expo 2020 Metro Station in Dubai, UAE
- Special Prize Interior: Duomo Metro Station in Naples, Italy
- Special Prize Exterior: Al Furjan Metro Station in Dubai, UAE
SPORTS
TQL Stadium. Image credit: Tom Harris
- Prix Versailles: TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, OH
- Special Prize Interior: Tochigi Sports Park, East Area in Utsunomiya, Japan
- Special Prize Exterior: Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar
SHOPS & STORES
Burberry pop-up store. Image credit: Burberry
- Prix Versailles: Burberry pop-up store in Jeju, South Korea
- Special Prize Interior: Hermès Rive Gauche in Paris, France by RDAI
- Special Prize Exterior: Apple The Grove in Los Angeles, CA by Foster+Partners
SHOPPING MALLS
La Samaritaine. Image credit: WeAreContents
- Prix Versailles: La Samaritaine in Paris, France by SANAA / SRA Architectes / Lagneau Architectes
- Special Prize Interior: The Hyundai Seoul in Seoul, South Korea by Burdifilek
- Special Prize Exterior: Henderson Cifi Tiandi in Shanghai, China by Ateliers Jean Nouvel
HOTELS
Six Senses Fort Barwara. Image credit: Six Senses
- Prix Versailles: Six Senses Fort Barwara in Chauth Ka Barwara, India by Mitchell & Eades
- Special Prize Interior: Six Senses Botanique in Campos do Jordão, Brazil by Candida Tabet Arquitetura
- Special Prize Exterior: DongFengYun Hotel Mi’Le – MGallery in Mile, China by Luo Xu / Cheng Chung Design
RESTAURANTS
The NoMad restaurant. Image credit: Simon Upton
- Prix Versailles: The NoMad restaurant in London, UK by EPR Architects
- Special Prize Interior: Bogen in Bolzano, Italy by noa*
- Special Prize Exterior: Äng in Tvååker, Sweden by Norm Architects
More details on the awards can be found on the Prix Versailles website, while this year’s list can be compared to previous years by exploring our past coverage of the awards here.
Some current competitions on Bustler that may interest you...
Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition
Register/Submit by Fri, Feb 14, 2025
Re:Form – New Life for Old Spaces
Register by Wed, Jan 22, 2025
Submit by Tue, Sep 2, 2025
Museum of Emotions / Edition #6
Register by Thu, Jan 23, 2025
Submit by Tue, Apr 29, 2025
The Home of Shadows / Edition #3
Register by Wed, Jan 29, 2025
Submit by Mon, Mar 3, 2025
No Comments