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Heydar Aliyev Center in A (2013). Photography: Hufton & Crow
What’s the best new building in the world? RIBA has selected six contenders, including Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Centre in Azerbaijan and David Chipperfield’s Museo Jumex in Mexico.
Its new Global Prize for Architecture – which will be awarded on 24 November – recognises the buildings that have set ‘a new global standard for architectural achievement’.
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Stormen Concert Hall in Bodø, Norway by DHDH Architects (2014). Photography: David Grandorge
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The Ring of Remembrance, Nord-pas-de-Calais, France by Agence d’architecture Philippe Prost (2014). Photography: Aitor Ortiz
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Arquipélago Contemporary Arts Centre in The Azores by Menos é Mais, Arquitectos Associados with João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto (2015). Photography: Jose Campos
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Museum Jumex, Mexico City by David Chipperfield Architects (2013). Photography: Simon Menges
‘At its heart, the prize celebrates architectural excellence, vision, and the power of great architecture for the public good,’ says RIBA’s president, Jane Duncan.
Also on the Global Prize for Architecture shortlist is Norway’s Stormen Concert Hall by DRDH Architects; Agence d’Architecture Philippe Prost’s WWI memorial, the Ring of Remembrance in France; and Peru’s Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia facility by Grafton and Shell Arcquitectos.
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Rounding off the pack is a 1890s former industrial complex in The Azores, transformed into the Arquipélago Contemporary Arts Centre by Menos é Mais Arquitectos.
Though the projects vary from adaptive reuse to futuristic forms, the six are all cultural institutions completed within the last three years.
Read next: Zaha Hadid Architects moves a mountain to open Messner Museum