‘World’s most beautiful projects’ for 2025 chosen by Prix Versailles

The Prix Versailles has unveiled the winners of the 2025 World Titles, honoring outstanding achievements in architectural and interior design. In total, 24 projects were recognised as the ‘world’s most beautiful’ projects in categories spanning museums, hotels, restaurants, emporiums, airports, campuses, passenger stations, and sports. The projects were chosen from an extensive list of finalists which Archinect has reported on over recent months.

“Each year, the Prix Versailles challenges us to look beyond aesthetics alone and to evaluate architecture and design as a force capable of shaping the world we inhabit,” jury chair Irina Bokova said about the projects. “It invites us to measure creativity not only by its boldness, but by its integrity – its ability to respond to cultural context, to uplift communities, and to contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future.”

Among the jury for this year’s edition were architects Ma Yansong and Thom Mayne, alongside actress Emma Watson, pianist Lang Lang, conceptual artist Leandro Erlich, fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, and actress and film director Maria de Medeiros.

The 2025 winners are as follows:

MUSEUMS (See the finalists here)

• Prix Versailles - Kunstsilo (Kristiansand, Norway)
• Special prize for an Interior - Audeum (Seoul, Republic of Korea)
• Special prize for an Exterior - Joslyn Art Museum (Omaha, United States)

EMPORIUMS (See the finalists here)

• Prix Versailles - Tiffany & Co. Montenapoleone (Milan, Italy)
• Special prize for an Interior - Cartier (Brussels, Belgium)
• Special prize for an Exterior - Apple The Exchange TRX (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

HOTELS (See the finalists here)

• Prix Versailles - Mandarin Oriental Qianmen (Beijing, China)
• Special prize for an Interior - Hôtel du Couvent (Nice, France)
• Special prize for an Exterior - Shebara (Sheybarah Island, Saudi Arabia)

RESTAURANTS (See the finalists here)

• Prix Versailles - Ducasse Baccarat (Paris, France)
• Special prize for an Interior - Blackswan (Beijing, China)
• Special prize for an Exterior - Another Smith (Tha Sai Luat, Thailand)

AIRPORTS (See the finalists here)

• Prix Versailles - San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 1 (San Francisco, United States)
• Special prize for an Interior - Marseille Provence Airport, Terminal 1 (Marignane, France)
• Special prize for an Exterior - Portland International Airport, Main Terminal (Portland, United States)

CAMPUSES

• Prix Versailles - LCI Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain)
• Special prize for an Interior - Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Design (Shanghai, China) 
• Special prize for an Exterior - University of Copenhagen, Niels Bohr Bygningen (Copenhagen, Denmark)

PASSENGER STATIONS (See the finalists here)

• Prix Versailles - Villejuif – Gustave Roussy Station (Villejuif, France)
• Special prize for an Interior - Gadigal Station (Sydney, Australia)
• Special prize for an Exterior - KAFD Station (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

ARENAS (See the finalists here)

• Prix Versailles - Kagawa Prefectural Arena (Takamatsu, Japan)
• Special prize for an Interior - Intuit Dome (Inglewood, United States)
• Special prize for an Exterior - Le Colisée (Chartres, France)