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NEWS
Leisure architecture features heavily on shortlist for World Building of the Year
POSTED 26 Jun 2015 . BY Jason Holland
Populous’ transformation of the London Olympic Stadium has been shortlisted Credit: Shutterstock
Leisure architecture projects from the likes of Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, BIG and Populous have made the 2015 shortlist for the World Building of the Year.

Organised by the World Architecture Festival, 338 projects in total have made the shortlist in a variety of categories, with both major international firms and smaller companies taking their place. There are entries included from 46 countries.

Aside from the overall World Building of the Year winner, to be announced during the festival taking place in Singapore between 4-6 November, each of the 31 categories will also have its own winner.

Designed by Perkins + Will, the Shanghai Natural History Museum has been shortlisted in the Culture category, along with Wilkinson Eyre’s renovated Weston Library at the University of Oxford in the UK.

BIG’s installation of a sports hall and arts building at founding partner Bjarke Ingels’ old high school in Copenhagen, Denmark made the shortlist in the Schools category, while Zaha Hadid Architects’ London Aquatics Centre was selected in the Sport category.

In the Hotel and Leisure category, Foster + Partners’ Yacht Club de Monaco joins EAA Emre Arolat Architects’ St Regis Istanbul in Turkey among the shortlisted candidates.

Among the finalists in the Leisure Led Development – Future Projects category are Populous’ transformation of the
London Olympic Stadium, the Vommuli Eco Awareness Resort in the Maldives, by WOW Architects Warner Wong Design, and Singapore’s Bedok Integrated Complex, by ONG & ONG.
The St Regis Istanbul hotel, designed by EAA Emre Arolat Architects Credit: Starwood
Zaha Hadid Architects’ London Aquatics Centre Credit: Shutterstock
BIG installed a sports hall and arts building at Gammel Hellerup High School in Copenhagen
The Weston Library at the University of Oxford was revamped by Wilkinson Eyre
Perkins + Will's Shanghai Natural History Museum Credit: Perkins + Will
RELATED STORIES
  Bjarke Ingels finishes project at his old high school with addition of a sunken arts building


BIG has completed the second phase of a project at founding partner Bjarke Ingels’ old high school in Copenhagen, Denmark – adding a 1,400sq m (15,069sq ft) arts and culture building.
  Shanghai Natural History Museum moves to nature-inspired home


Shanghai Natural History Museum has moved into its new home – a nautilus-shaped building inspired by the biological structure of cells, the elements and natural phenomena.
  Wilkinson Eyre’s revamped Oxford Weston Library opens to the public


Following an £80m (US$119m, €109m) renovation by international architecture firm, Wilkinson Eyre, the University of Oxford’s Weston Library has reopened to the public.
  World Architecture Festival coming to London


For the first time ever, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) is coming to London in June.
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Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos.
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Leisure architecture features heavily on shortlist for World Building of the Year
POSTED 26 Jun 2015 . BY Jason Holland
Populous’ transformation of the London Olympic Stadium has been shortlisted Credit: Shutterstock
Leisure architecture projects from the likes of Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, BIG and Populous have made the 2015 shortlist for the World Building of the Year.

Organised by the World Architecture Festival, 338 projects in total have made the shortlist in a variety of categories, with both major international firms and smaller companies taking their place. There are entries included from 46 countries.

Aside from the overall World Building of the Year winner, to be announced during the festival taking place in Singapore between 4-6 November, each of the 31 categories will also have its own winner.

Designed by Perkins + Will, the Shanghai Natural History Museum has been shortlisted in the Culture category, along with Wilkinson Eyre’s renovated Weston Library at the University of Oxford in the UK.

BIG’s installation of a sports hall and arts building at founding partner Bjarke Ingels’ old high school in Copenhagen, Denmark made the shortlist in the Schools category, while Zaha Hadid Architects’ London Aquatics Centre was selected in the Sport category.

In the Hotel and Leisure category, Foster + Partners’ Yacht Club de Monaco joins EAA Emre Arolat Architects’ St Regis Istanbul in Turkey among the shortlisted candidates.

Among the finalists in the Leisure Led Development – Future Projects category are Populous’ transformation of the
London Olympic Stadium, the Vommuli Eco Awareness Resort in the Maldives, by WOW Architects Warner Wong Design, and Singapore’s Bedok Integrated Complex, by ONG & ONG.
The St Regis Istanbul hotel, designed by EAA Emre Arolat Architects Credit: Starwood
Zaha Hadid Architects’ London Aquatics Centre Credit: Shutterstock
BIG installed a sports hall and arts building at Gammel Hellerup High School in Copenhagen
The Weston Library at the University of Oxford was revamped by Wilkinson Eyre
Perkins + Will's Shanghai Natural History Museum Credit: Perkins + Will
RELATED STORIES
Bjarke Ingels finishes project at his old high school with addition of a sunken arts building


BIG has completed the second phase of a project at founding partner Bjarke Ingels’ old high school in Copenhagen, Denmark – adding a 1,400sq m (15,069sq ft) arts and culture building.
Shanghai Natural History Museum moves to nature-inspired home


Shanghai Natural History Museum has moved into its new home – a nautilus-shaped building inspired by the biological structure of cells, the elements and natural phenomena.
Wilkinson Eyre’s revamped Oxford Weston Library opens to the public


Following an £80m (US$119m, €109m) renovation by international architecture firm, Wilkinson Eyre, the University of Oxford’s Weston Library has reopened to the public.
World Architecture Festival coming to London


For the first time ever, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) is coming to London in June.
MORE NEWS
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Healing sanctuary Tulah Clinical Wellness opens in Kerala
Tulah Clinical Wellness, a holistic wellness destination, has officially opened in the hills of northern Kerala, India.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai creates Global Wellness Day programme rooted in nature
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day (GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
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FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Spa Life – where spa leaders grow together
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]

Meet Desert Therapy: Aromatherapy Associates' first new blend in seven years
There is a particular quality of stillness found only in the desert. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Klafs GmbH

Founded in 1928, Klafs is known as an award winning, world-leading trendsetter in wellness and spa. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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