2024 Works of Wonders List Spotlights Extraordinary New Architectural Projects

The year 2024 marks a period of extraordinary innovation, where groundbreaking structures not only captivate the eye but challenge conventions, defying expectations and redefining traditions. Architectural Digest, in collaboration with contributors Sam Cochran, Elizabeth Fazzare, and Komal Sharma, presents the "2024 WOW List," showcasing 18 spectacular Works of Wonder that span the globe.

Galería de las Colecciones Reales

More than two decades in the making, Madrid's Galería de las Colecciones Reales is an ambitious showcase for Spain's royal collections. Architects Emilio Tuñón and the late Luis M. Mansilla ingeniously embedded the structure into the city's foundations by excavating the rock that separates the Royal Palace of Madrid from the Campo del Moro. The result is a sublime tribute to 500 years of history, wrapped in concrete pillars.

Gran Acuario Mazatlán

Rejecting conventional aquarium design, Tatiana Bilbao Estudio envisioned the Gran Acuario Mazatlán as a ruin representing both the past and the future. Overlooking the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, the maze-like structure, with irregularly shaped walls, resembles an archaeological site ravaged by tides. Staggered pigmented-concrete walls house marine-life tanks, creating a captivating blend of history and innovation.

Istanbul Modern

Outgrowing its former warehouse home, Turkey's first contemporary and modern art museum, Istanbul Modern, found a new residence in an industrial-sleek masterpiece designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Inspired by the Bosphorus, the elongated structure, adorned with rippling aluminum panels, pays homage to ships, merging contemporary art with architectural brilliance.

John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History

Transforming a long-abandoned public pool into a community and cultural complex, the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Lagos, Nigeria, embraces Yoruba design. Clad in fractal powder-coated screens, the buildings revive the beloved pool, providing a space where visitors can immerse themselves in cultural heritage and community activities.

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LAMA Pavilion

Pezo von Ellrichshausen's LAMA Pavilion in Yungay, Chile, serves as both a marker and a lookout, commanding views of the Andes Mountains. With a winding staircase leading to a viewing platform and a hidden camera obscura and rooftop hearth accessible by ladder, this experimental triumph blends artistic expression with a harmonious connection to its natural surroundings.

Maroquinerie de Louviers

Hermès Maroquinerie de Louviers in Normandy stands as the first saddle workshop outside Paris, designed by AD100 architect Lina Ghotmeh. Local artisans handcrafted half a million bricks, achieving the project's eco-friendly goals and earning it the E4C2 designation for low-carbon, energy-positive construction. This sustainable atelier is a testament to blending luxury with environmental responsibility.

Nisarga Art Hub

Founded by a family of musicians in Ernakulam, India, the Nisarga Art Hub features a flexible amphitheater designed by Vinu Daniel of Wallmakers. Adapting the traditional pitched Kerala roof, the venue's pool transforms into a stage when covered by wooden planks, offering a unique space for artistic expression and exchange.

The Pyramid of Tirana

Originally a museum dedicated to dictator Enver Hoxha, the Pyramid of Tirana in Albania has been reimagined as a cultural hub and innovation incubator by MVRDV architects. Colorful boxlike volumes punctuate the concrete structure inside and out, replacing sloped façades with exterior stairs for admirers to climb, symbolizing a journey of cultural exploration.

Shanghai Library East

China's largest library, Shanghai Library East, by Schmidt Hammer Lassen architects, stands as a sprawling monument to learning. Drawing inspiration from the faceted form of Taihu stones, the library dedicates over 80 percent of its 1.2 million square feet to communal spaces, including a grand central atrium, a 1,200-seat theater, exhibition halls, and light-filled reading rooms.

The Sphere

Measuring 516 feet wide and 366 feet tall, The Sphere in Las Vegas is the planet's largest dome structure. Clad in high-definition LED panels, this otherworldly performance space steals the spotlight from the nearby Las Vegas Strip. Inside, 17,600 seats and standing room for an additional 20,000 people welcome audiences for immersive concerts, with U2 among the notable performers.

The 2024 WOW List presents a mesmerizing journey through architectural innovation, where each structure tells a unique story of creativity, cultural appreciation, and sustainability. From Madrid to Tokyo, these Works of Wonder defy expectations and set new standards for the future of architecture. As we navigate this era of architectural marvels, these 18 projects stand as testament to the limitless possibilities that unfold when design meets ingenuity on a global stage.

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