As the years go by, numerous buildings are being constructed that showcase futuristic and incredible architectural designs. The field of architecture continues to grow, and this can be seen in some of the monuments created in the last year, such as the second tallest skyscraper in the world, the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, and several announcements of futuristic megaprojects.
Therefore, 2025 will be a year in which infrastructure and engineering feats will come to fruition. From innovative wooden buildings to one of the largest airports in Asia, these are 11 projects that will be inaugurated in 2025.
Sydney Fish Market
Designed by 3XN Architects and the Australian firm BVN, it promises visitors a multi-sensory experience in a fish market. Best of all, the logistics and operations are hidden in the basement, while the upper floors house a visitor market and an auction hall where restaurateurs and retailers bid on the fresh catch as it arrives.
Grand Ring, Osaka
Between April and October, Japan's second city expects to receive some 28 million visitors for Expo 2025. The centerpiece is the venue itself: the Grand Ring, a continuous circular wooden structure, more than 2 kilometers in circumference , in which more than 40 countries will build customized pavilions.
Using local cedar and cypress wood, the architect combines modern construction methods with the wooden joints traditionally used in Japanese temples and shrines.
Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford
The prestigious University of Oxford is associated with Gothic architecture, but it also operates contemporary properties. The latest of these is a new 25,000-square-meter life sciences building.
The Life and Mind building essentially reflects an academic principle. It unites the departments of experimental psychology, plant sciences, and zoology under one roof. According to NBBJ, the firm in charge of the project, it honors the university's architectural heritage through its stone facades and buttresses, creating a "timeless yet recognizable appearance.".
Canadian School, Cholula
The opening of this Canadian school by the Sordo Madaleno architecture studio in Cholula, Mexico, is a great example of organic architecture.
This campus draws inspiration from the region's topography, specifically a nearby pre-Hispanic pyramid, but above all from the Popocatépetl volcano. The school is organized around seven circular structures that take the form of overlapping hills, and their terraced appearance offers green spaces for students to explore, like a playground, according to Fernando Sordo Madaleno, grandson of the founder Juan Sordo Madaleno.
Techo International Airport, Phnom Penh
Cambodia is remodeling its capital's international airport into one capable of handling six times as many passengers. The initial capacity of this magnificent airport will be 13 million passengers annually, increasing over time to 30 million.
The terminal building is located about 19 kilometers south of the city and will be one of the largest in Southeast Asia. One innovative feature is that the energy it will generate will be drawn from an on-site solar park, making it one of the most environmentally friendly airports in the world. Its design is inspired by traditional Cambodian architecture, and the roof is supported by a series of structural wooden "trees.".
South Station, Boston
This year, the expansion of Boston's South Station is being completed. The renovation project will increase bus and train capacity by 50 and 70 percent, respectively.
Architecturally speaking, the American firm Pelli Clarke & Partners not only redesigned the lobby and built a 51-story building, but also preserved the original neoclassical building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1899. The contrast of the gleaming glass and weathered stone gives the new station a unique appearance.
Goethe Institute, Dakar
The first African to win the Nobel Prize in Architecture, Francis Kéré, has decided to transform the built environment of his native continent. The Burkinabe architect has long favored "vernacular" design, that is, design that adopts traditional materials and techniques. He implemented this approach at the Goethe Institute, a German center for cultural exchange.
The building comprises 18,300 square feet. It was constructed primarily with locally sourced bricks, which are made of compacted earth and shaped in a lattice pattern to encourage natural ventilation.
Hangzhou Urban Valley
Designed by renowned German architect Ole Scheeren, Urban Glen is a pair of stepped towers offering nearly 83,000 square meters of space for offices, hotels, and leisure. Located in the eastern city of Hangzhou, these two volumes appear to cascade down into an artificial valley of rooftop terraces.
Riyadh Metro
For several years, Saudi Arabia has been announcing large-scale projects, one of which is a metro system that has been demanded for over a decade. This network, comprised of six lines, will transform mobility in the city, with a capacity of 3.6 million passengers.
In essence, all of its stations are becoming visual spectacles. Among the international firms that have ventured into designing some of them are Zaha Hadid Architects and Gerber Architkten. Although the project was inaugurated last year, it is not yet fully completed. The most striking station is Qasr Al Hokm, designed by the renowned Norwegian firm Snøhetta, characterized by a cavernous stainless steel canopy.
Skypark Business Centre, Luxembourg
Europe continues to invest in wood construction, and Luxembourg will host one of the continent's largest hybrid wood buildings to date this year: the Skypark Business Center.
With over 844,000 square feet of space and approximately 542,000 cubic feet of lumber—enough to fill six Olympic-sized swimming pools—its rounded edges and zigzag shape create a series of rooftop spaces and patios for your enjoyment.
The first phase of this building will be completed in February and will include office space, shops, and a hotel. The courtyards will be open to passersby and aviation enthusiasts thanks to its proximity to the airport.
Danjiang Bridge, Taipei
This enormous bridge is one of the last projects overseen by the late Zaha Hadid. The Danjiang Bridge in Taiwan is a 914-meter-long structure that will connect four major highways over the mouth of the Tamsui River. Its entire structure is supported by a single concrete mast. When it opens later this year, it is expected to be the world's longest single-mast, asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge.
