18 of the world's most extraordinary new buildingsNEWS | 07 October 2026The World Architecture Festival celebrates one-of-a-kind buildings from around the world each year.
A panel of international architects and experts reviews entries on their way to crowning a "Building of the Year." Each year, WAF releases a shortlist of entries that showcase some of the world's most notable buildings.
Many projects were submitted, but only 416 made WAF's 2026 shortlist. There are four major categories: completed buildings, future projects, interiors, and landscape.
Once the shortlist is decided, finalists present their projects to judges — this year, they'll do so in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November.
The completed building entrants are competing for the title of "Building of the Year." The festival's 164 judges, representing 37 countries, will judge completed buildings grouped into categories such as civic and community, housing, and office.
Business Insider reviewed the completed-building shortlist and selected 18 of the most striking architectural projects, from brand-new structures to reimagined historic places, to showcase some of the world's most extraordinary recent designs.Author: Gabbi Shaw. Jordan Pandy. Source
