The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (14 December) announced the RIBA International List 2018, a new biennial selection of the world’s best new buildings.

A number of leisure projects are included in the prestigious longlist, including high-profile museums designed by the likes of Heatherwick Studio, Stanton Williams, AL_A and Bjarke Ingels Group.

Libraries, cultural centres, a hotel and a concert hall are also recognised among the 62 buildings from 28 countries that made the cut.

The longlisted leisure projects

• Oasia Hotel Downtown by WOHA Architects Pte. Ltd.



• Beyazit State Library by Tabanlioglu Architects



• Kunstmuseum Basel by Christ & Gantenbein



• Audain Art Museum by Patkau Architects



• Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, by Renzo Piano Building Workshop with BETAPLAN



• The Palestinian Museum by heneghan peng architects with Arabtech Jardaneh



• MAAT by AL_A



• Msheireb Museums by John McAslan + Partners



• Musee d'arts de Nantes by Stanton Williams



• Queen Elisabeth Hall by SimpsonHaugh with Bureau Bouwtechniek



• Tirpitz by BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group



• Museum Voorlinden by Kraaijvanger Architects



• Wadden Sea Centre by Dorte Mandrup A/S



• Zeitz MOCAA by Heatherwick Studio with Van Der Merwe Miszewski Architects (VDMAA), Rick Brown Associates, Jacobs Parker



• King Fahad National Library by Gerber Architekten



• Mulan Weichang Visitor Centre by HDD





The longlist was selected from entries to the 2018 RIBA International Prize. It will now be whittled down to create a shortlist, with the Grand Jury – chaired by architect Elizabeth Diller – set to choose the ultimate winner in December 2018.

The prize was established in 2016 to celebrate brilliant global design. It is open to any qualified architect in the world, for a building of any size, type or budget.

Last year the Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología (UTEC) in Lima, designed by Grafton Architects, became the first ever winner.

Speaking about today’s announcement, RIBA president Ben Derbyshire said: “The RIBA International List 2018 shines a light on the world’s best new buildings and most impressive architectural talent. This selection illustrates the meaningful impact and transformative quality that well-designed buildings can have on communities, wherever they are in the world.”