The judging course of for Architizer’s 14th A+Awards is now underway. Subscribe to our Awards Publication to obtain updates about Public Voting, and keep tuned — winners can be introduced later this spring.
Rooftops should not new territory in structure. Traditionally, they’ve hosted bars, gardens and swimming pools, giving us a much-needed place to step out and take within the view (every time there’s a ok view to be taken in, that’s).
On this assortment, nonetheless, the rooftop takes on a extra deliberate position, turning into a part of the spatial thought from the beginning and shaping how folks transfer, collect and spend time throughout the constructing.
Some are designed as paths you observe. Others lengthen every day life upward in sudden methods. A number of even rethink what a roof really is. However taken collectively, these eight tasks present how a well-recognized factor can do way over provide a shocking view.
Aruma Break up Backyard
By RAD+ar ( Analysis Creative Design + structure ), Indonesia
Venture of the 12 months, thirteenth Annual A+AwardsJury Winner, Eating places (L > 1000 sq ft), thirteenth Annual A+Awards
In cities the place each sq. meter counts, this undertaking begins by questioning the standard stacked flooring. Aruma Break up Backyard breaks the quantity into shifting ranges that transfer round current timber. Flooring step and overlap, linked by diagonal paths that information guests via eating places and a mezzanine bar.
The rooftop is the place every little thing opens up. A beer backyard stretches throughout it, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel like a ultimate vacation spot. It continues the identical motion, the identical greenery, the identical ambiance. You arrive step by step, already a part of it. By extending the exercise upward, the roof turns into an lively public layer slightly than leftover area.
Bienvenüe – the brand new headquarters of RATP Habitat in Paris
By Atelier du Pont, Paris, France
In a dense Parisian block, this undertaking offers the roof again to every day life. Constructed throughout a totally occupied floor footprint, the constructing shifts its open area upward. A sequence of stepped terraces turns the rooftops into locations to work, meet, or step away from the desk. Stairs join every stage, permitting motion exterior with out returning indoors.
The uppermost roof turns into a vegetable backyard, whereas decrease ranges host seating, small greenhouses and casual work areas. A timber construction retains building gentle and exact. Inside, layouts keep versatile. And above, the rooftops carry the rhythm of the office.
280 Artwork Boulevard
By Zien, São Paulo, Brazil
Set between two contrasting city materials, this tower responds with a altering geometry that widens, narrows and opens once more. This creates a central canyon and a sequence of stepped terraces that carry planting upward via the constructing.
The rooftop grows out of this technique. It’s formed by the identical curves and openings, providing views framed by the constructing itself slightly than a single outward gaze. Construction, envelope and panorama are developed collectively, permitting every stage to really feel distinct whereas remaining a part of one steady type.
The Quartet – Songzhuang Z Museum
By TEAM_BLDG, Zhejiang, China

Some rooftops provide you with a view. This one offers you a spot to remain.
Set inside a 600-year-old village, the undertaking begins with a tough constructing: a concrete home that by no means fairly belonged. As an alternative of hiding it, TEAM_BLDG pushes it additional. The amount is break up into 4 elements, opening gaps, carving courtyards, and, most significantly, turning the roof right into a layered terrace.
As you progress upward, the museum slowly shifts from enclosed galleries to open air. By the point you attain the highest, there are not any strict paths. Simply platforms, steps and edges to occupy.
Inside, the areas keep quiet to let the work stand out. Above, the rooftop turns into the social layer of the museum, the place guests pause, wander and reconnect with the village round them.
Beacon Home
By EVEREST GROUP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jury Winner, Unbuilt Multi-Unit Housing (S < 10 flooring), thirteenth Annual A+AwardsPopular Selection Winner, Unbuilt Multi-Unit Housing (S < 10 flooring), thirteenth Annual A+Awards
At Beacon Home, the rooftop is each the journey and the vacation spot. A steady path begins on the floor and rises alongside the constructing, turning the act of reaching the highest right into a every day ritual.
Designed as transitional housing, the undertaking responds to homelessness with greater than shelter. The constructing twists to border views of the Philadelphia skyline, giving residents entry to a perspective usually out of attain. As the trail ascends, it creates moments for pause, motion and reflection.
On the high, the rooftop turns into a shared area tied to that climb, the place the town is now not distant, however a part of on a regular basis life.
Azabudai Hills
By Heatherwick Studio, Tokyo, Japan
At Azabudai Hills, the rooftop turns into a part of the bottom. It rises, slopes and stretches throughout the district, turning the act of strolling via the town into one thing steady.
Set inside a dense a part of Tokyo, the undertaking introduces a layered panorama that lifts greenery upward. Podium buildings are formed like a hillside, permitting folks to maneuver throughout roofs as they might via a park. Paths curve and lengthen, connecting outlets, workplaces and cultural areas alongside the way in which.
Fairly than stopping on the high, the rooftop retains the town in movement, providing a brand new public terrain constructed above it.
The Pyramid of Tirana
By MVRDV, Tirana, Albania
Whereas this won’t be the standard rooftop, it’s nonetheless the highest of a constructing, reached on this case via an uncommon route.
Initially constructed as a museum for Enver Hoxha, the Pyramid stood as a closed and symbolic construction on the heart of Tirana. The transformation reopens it utterly, turning a once-isolated monument into a spot for on a regular basis use. Steps carved into its sloped sides invite folks to climb to the highest, making the rooftop a part of a public path slightly than a hidden floor.
Inside, colourful volumes introduce lecture rooms, studios and cafés throughout the unique shell.
Von Zwischenraum zu Spielraum
By roeck architekten, Wenns, Austria
Whereas many college rooftops keep out of attain, this one turns into a part of the day.
Set inside a rising instructional campus, the brand new kindergarten fills a decent hole between current buildings. As an alternative of leaving the roof unused, it’s changed into a big out of doors play area. Kids transfer up via open, accessible flooring and arrive at a deck that appears like an extension of the classroom.
The curved structure follows the constructing’s edge, opening views towards the mountains whereas conserving the area contained and protected. On the high, the rooftop turns into a spot to run, collect and study exterior.
The judging course of for Architizer’s 14th A+Awards is now underway. Subscribe to our Awards Publication to obtain updates about Public Voting, and keep tuned — winners can be introduced later this spring.













