World Architecture Awards 10+5+X Submissions

The Calla Garden 2 project is inspired by the Calla flower within the floral landscape of the southern urban area of Ho Chi Minh City.

The project functions as residential apartments and commercial spaces on the first and second floors. It includes areas for community activities and a daycare center on the second and third floors. The design is luxurious, featuring a swimming pool that connects to a green park on the first floor.

With 18 floors and nearly 300 apartments, the project is a landmark development within the 25-hectare urban area.

The building's facade draws inspiration from the Calla flower. The west-facing facade is equipped with solar panels that not only provide sun shading but also harness solar energy to generate renewable electricity. This energy will be used to power the public utilities of the building, including lighting for public corridors, electricity for community spaces, the swimming pool, and the outdoor landscape. Excess electricity from this renewable energy source will be used for the apartments and parking areas.

Viewed from the west, the entire project resembles a Calla flower, with the stem represented by lightweight concrete and the petals by solar panels. The facades facing east and south will be open to take advantage of the beautiful views of the park and riverfront.

The project is expected to become a symbol within the residential area, conveying a message about the use of renewable energy in high-rise residential buildings in Vietnam.

Total land area: 3,545.8 m²
Total construction area: 30,485.23 m²
Building density: 40%
Project scale: 254 apartments; 17 floors
Type of construction: Apartment building
Trung Kien Nguyen; Thanh Nhan Vo; Van Tuan Nguyen

Foz Housing heritage is a residential building, which includes intervention in a centenary property located in Foz, Porto, with the rehabilitation of the existing house and the construction of a new building forming a gated community.

The center of inspiration for this bold project is the legacy of pre-existence, classic and timeless, typical of the reputed location by the sea in the city of Porto. Maintaining and reinterpreting its main characteristics, so that the entire housing complex communicates in an excellent way with each other and with the location. The project consists of the rehabilitation of the distinctive Manor House and the new Main Building, comprising a total of 9 rooms spread over 4 floors and with generous areas. The design of the spaces works in harmony and continuity of architectural forms and solutions, reading the entire project as a single object that completes itself and merges in tradition and innovation, in history and legacy, resulting in a unique atmosphere and formal beauty.
Inside, the excellence of a careful choice of materials and careful design.

All the details developed exclusively for this project, such as the unique texture of the wood and large stones cut to measure for each space, in harmony with the corten steel and copper of the metals.

At the Manor House, the exterior coating based on lime and its terracotta colour, the window frames and metalwork in corten, were inspired by materials from the original period, using the most up-to-date and advanced techniques.

The Main Building uses the same materials, but its exterior is entirely made of “cast-in-place” concrete in the same tone as the rehabilitation and integrates perfectly with the pre-existence, in a dialogue between the classic and the contemporary.

The extensive use of vegetation outside and in the common areas inside is intended to be a biophilic approach bringing nature outside and inside, contributing to the improvement of the environment and providing such an important contact with nature.
With a careful choice of several new species that blend perfectly with the architecture of the buildings. The large private outdoor spaces of each house, verandas and gardens, were designed to emphasize the existing and built natural beauty, for permanence and as a complement to the interior, with continuity between materials and design from the interior to the exterior.

The oversized interior free height of the spaces, and the windows at full height, provide harmonious entrances of light and a perfect visual relationship between the interior and exterior, bringing nature into each dwelling as well.
The strength and beauty of the enchanted gardens that mark all the exterior areas of the condominium convey the wonderful feeling of leaving the city within the city, so that you can breathe the energy of a perfect refuge.

Built Area: 3206 sqm
Apartments: 10
Floors: 1 below and 5 above ground
Architect: Paulo Fernandes Silva
Collaborator: Diana Fernandes Silva | Isabela Almeida Neves | Daniela Ferreira | Pedro Gouveia

The project is based on the concept of a modern alpine house that aligns with the investor’s philosophy: living harmoniously with nature. Natural elements like sun, wind, and other forces influence the house’s design, creating a living space that reflects both earthly and cosmic energy.

Set against the backdrop of Pohorje and its surrounding vineyards, the house is positioned to take advantage of panoramic views, with the architecture focusing sightlines through atriums towards the mountain range. The house’s design concept is inspired by mimicry. The roof, a central feature, mimics the undulating hills and the linear patterns of grape rows. The result is a meandering, floating roof structure composed of three distinct units. Between these units, two open atriums emerge: one serving as the entrance and the other as the main terrace.

The functional layout of the house is logical and efficient. It divides into three key areas: the service (garage), the living space, and the sleeping quarters. This arrangement transitions from public spaces on the east to more private areas on the west. Open spaces formed at the junctions between the units allow for natural flow, visual access, and interaction with the surrounding environment. The south-facing main atrium opens to Pohorje, providing views while shielding from the elements.

Landscape design follows the same guiding principle of living in harmony with nature. Natural elements are integrated into the space, ensuring the house blends seamlessly with its surroundings. The terrace and atrium extend to a natural swimming pond on the south side, with the reflection of water, according to Vastu principles, contributing to the home’s serene atmosphere.

This modern alpine house is situated in the Pohorje region, surrounded by hills and vineyards. The design is divided into three functional units: a service unit (garage), a living area, and a sleeping area. Two atriums—an entrance atrium and a main terrace—are positioned to provide views toward Pohorje, connecting the house with its natural environment.

The house is built on a reinforced concrete (RC) foundation slab, with a wooden skeleton or studded massive wood panels for structural support. The roof, made of solid wood panels, is designed to mimic the surrounding hills and vineyard rows, blending the house seamlessly with its landscape.

Sustainable, eco-friendly materials dominate the design. The floors and ceilings are clad in massive wood, while the walls in the living, sleeping, and hallway areas feature natural stone with a rock-like appearance. The roof is made of sheet metal (e.g., Rhein Zink) with vertical profile ribs, and external yard paving is done in washable concrete. The terrace is finished with high-quality wooden floors.

A swimming pond, organically shaped, connects the atrium and terrace on the south side, following Vastu principles to create a calming atmosphere. The reflection of the nearby mountains enhances the house’s integration with the landscape.

Designed for energy efficiency, the house takes advantage of natural sunlight and wind orientation. The landscape design includes forest, fruit, and vegetable islands, creating a harmonious connection between the home and its surroundings.
Superform architects: Marjan Poboljšaj, Anton Žižek, Špela Gliha, Marcel Žnidarič
Renderings: Studio Spacer

Royal Ninh Thuan Luxury Hotel & Resort is designed in a modern architectural style, combined with traditional elements of Vietnamese culture.

The architectural style of the project is stylized from the indigenous architecture of the local region, specifically the Cham Pa houses in Ninh Thuan Province, known as Jaya Thiên by the Cham Brahmin community. The design is inspired by the stilt houses of the Cham people, with double-sloped roofs to provide optimal insulation. Given the local tropical coastal climate characterized by heat and humidity, the double roof with an air layer between them offers maximum thermal comfort.

The structures are built on pillars, in line with the terrain conditions and the traditional construction methods of the local Cham people. Sunshades are also designed in the style of Jaya Thiên houses, with decorative details on the roofs, columns, and walls using stone to prevent termites and protect against natural conditions.

The cultural spaces of the Cham people have been studied and incorporated into the resort’s recreational and cultural areas.

The design blueprint for the project also pays special attention to high-class facilities and services. From infinity pools, lush gardens, walking paths, to upscale outdoor restaurants, everything is designed with the goal of providing guests with the ultimate resort experience. The highlight is the outdoor infinity pool area, where guests can relax while taking in the expansive views of the blue sea.

Royal Ninh Thuan places a high priority on creating open and green spaces. The residential, recreational, and service areas are designed in an interconnected chain, making it easy and convenient to move around the resort. This creates continuity in the overall architecture and optimizes the guest experience.

The project features 500 5-star hotel rooms, conference centers, and venues for beauty pageants and competitions in line with the business and cultural focus of Royal Group (the investor). The resort covers a meticulously preserved mountainside and a private, well-appointed beach spanning up to 87.5 hectares. Its private location, stunning landscape, unique local architecture, and distinctive cultural elements are expected to make it an attractive destination for relaxation and tourism in Southeast Asia.
Trung Kien Nguyen; Duyen Hai Duong Thi; Khoa Le Truong; Thinh Vo Duc; Hoan An Nguyen Thanh

Concept Note:
Shivalik Curv is designed as a symbol of modernity and innovation within Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT City), India's first operational Greenfield smart city. The client envisioned an office building that would provide 47,000 sqm of Grade-A office space across 32 floors, while creating an instant visual identity for the area. Rising 120m with its fluid, rotational form, this office tower is a unique architectural landmark that reflects the evolving identity of GIFT city. The building’s dynamic geometry, where each floor shifts by one degree, creates a sense of movement that mirrors the progressive nature of the finance and technology sectors. Designed to integrate with the surrounding urban landscape, the tower’s curved lines and cohesive public spaces foster interaction and collaboration. Its distinct visual identity, enriched with artistic sculptures and landscaping, establishes Shivalik Curv as a statement of ambition, sustainability, and urban sophistication, aligning with the visionary aspirations of GIFT City.

Design Features:
Shivalik Curv is designed to harmoniously blend artistry with scientific principles. It’s dynamic and fluid massing creates a unique silhouette echoing the movement of life. The Curv's dynamic character emerges from its semicircular site and well-orchestrated vision lines, capturing captivating vistas as one ascends. The building leans gradually around 25m over a height of 120m, imitating the graceful movements of the human torso. The floor plate undergoes a 38-degree rotation, gradually ascending from the base to the pinnacle at each successive level. This deliberate architectural manoeuvre pays homage to the panoramic vista of the evolving Gift City skyline.

The façade elements further emphasize the rotating form. This also serves a functional purpose by maximizing natural light penetration into the office spaces, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and enhancing occupant comfort. The flexibility of the floor plans ensures the building can accommodate a wide range of tenants, from emerging startups to established financial institutions, allowing businesses to customize their spaces according to their operational requirements.

The design emphasizes the integration of architecture and landscape, with curved lines extending into the surrounding public plaza and drop-off driveway, creating a cohesive visual language. A sculpture at the focal point of the driveway enhances this sense of movement and fluidity, complementing the building’s contemporary aesthetic.

The green terrace on the third level, which opens into a 107m atrium, is a central feature, connecting the office spaces and enhancing user interactions. The atrium’s east and north-east orientation ensures natural light throughout the day, while the rooftop terrace, comprising a restaurant and amenities, boasts of panoramic views of the GIFT City skyline and Sabarmati River.

Despite its intricate design, the torsional form gets support from its simple structural system and cost-effective solution, with the service core acting as a backbone to the exoskeleton-like frame.

Sustainability Interventions:
Shivalik Curv aligns with GIFT City’s vision of sustainability, incorporating several environmentally conscious interventions. The building features an energy-efficient cooling system designed to minimize operational energy consumption, along with solar panels that contribute to the site’s renewable energy generation. Rainwater harvesting systems are integrated to reduce water consumption, while the design encourages natural daylighting to decrease reliance on artificial lighting. The green terrace not only provides a space for user interaction but also enhances the building’s thermal performance, contributing to its overall energy efficiency. These sustainable strategies are integral to reducing the environmental footprint of Shivalik Curv, setting new benchmarks for sustainable architecture in urban office developments.

Built Area (m2/ ft2): 86570 m2 / 931832 ft2
Project Location: Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT) City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Program / Use / Building Function: Office, Corporate, Commercial, Mix-Used

Firms & Consultant:
Architect Firms - INI Design Studio
Landscape Designer – INI Design Studio
Structure Engineers - SETU Infrastructure
MEPF Consultants - Aashir Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Atomep Enteam Private Limited
Environment and Sustainability Consultants - Saavy Greens
Project Management Company - JLL Group
Façade Consultant - Facade Engineering Services (FES)
Jayesh Hariyani, Bhrugu Gangadia, Jaydeep Patel, Jinkal Panchal, Jadav Shambhu, Dhruv Prajapati, Harmeet Kaur, Mangilal Prajapati, Apoorva Patel