AR Future Projects Awards 2026 celebrate overhaul of ‘dying shopping mall’ | News

anchor

Haus der Musik in Braunschweig, Germany, by ADEPT

The Architectural Review has named its list of winners for the 2026 edition of the AR Future Projects awards. 

The overall winner was Haus der Musik in Braunschweig, Germany, designed by ADEPT, which transforms the former Karstadt department store into an expansive forum for concerts, music teaching, and civic life. Set between two of the city’s main squares, the project reactivates a dormant commercial building, repositioning it as an open, inclusive space for music and community activities. “This project deals with a challenge faced by cities all over the world: the dying shopping mall,”  said jury member Vishaan Chakrabarti.

Joining it were two highly commended projects: Tofino Fish Pier in Tofino, Canada, designed by Leckie Studio Architecture + Design and Shiva 1800 in Silwa, India, designed by Sanjay Puri Architects. Overall, 13 projects were recognized in the awards.

Here is our roundup of each winner for the 2026 edition:

Overall winner and Cultural regeneration winner (pictured above)
Haus der Musik in Braunschweig, Germany, by ADEPT 

Highly commended and Civic and community winner
Tofino Fish Pier in Tofino, Canada, designed by Leckie Studio Architecture + Design

Tofino Fish Pier in Tofino, Canada, designed by Leckie Studio Architecture + Design

Highly commended and New and old winner
Shiva 1800 in Silwa, India, designed by Sanjay Puri Architects

Shiva 1800 in Silwa, India, designed by Sanjay Puri Architects

Commercial mixed use winner
Hangzhou Shisanwan Alley Urban Renewal in Hangzhou, China, by GOA (Group of Architects) 

Hangzhou Shisanwan Alley Urban Renewal in Hangzhou, China, by GOA (Group of Architects)

Education winner
Ramallah Science and Technology City in Ramallah, Palestine, by Atelier of Spatial Matters 

Ramallah Science and Technology City in Ramallah, Palestine, by Atelier of Spatial Matters

Hotels and leisure winner
Enbesat in Qeshm, Iran, by RooyDaad Architects 

Enbesat in Qeshm, Iran, by RooyDaad Architects

Housing winner
Twins in the Park in Düsseldorf, Germany, by caspar. 

Twins in the Park in Düsseldorf, Germany, by caspar.

Regeneration and masterplanning winner
Capping the Antwerp Ring in Antwerp, Belgium, by ORG 

Capping the Antwerp Ring in Antwerp, Belgium, by ORG

Sports winner
The Glade Rink and Pavilions in St Louis, United States, by Snow Kreilich Architects 

The Glade Rink and Pavilions in St Louis, United States, by Snow Kreilich Architects

Tall buildings winner
EBI Tower in Lagos, Nigeria, by Studio Contra 

EBI Tower in Lagos, Nigeria, by Studio Contra

Competition entry prize winner
Collectiecentrum in Antwerp, Belgium, by Dierendonckblancke Architecten with Claeys/Haelvoet Architecten

Collectiecentrum in Antwerp, Belgium, by Dierendonckblancke Architecten with Claeys/Haelvoet Architecten

Student prize winner
The Penola Exchange by Eliza Innes, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia

The Penola Exchange by Eliza Innes, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia

Sustainable research and design prize winner
Garden of Community Stories by Kuo Jze Yi (University of Hong Kong) with the Zhoushan Architecture Team in China

Garden of Community Stories by Kuo Jze Yi (University of Hong Kong) with the Zhoushan Architecture Team in China

Some current competitions on Bustler that may interest you…