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Meet the 10 Finalists in ArchDaily China's 2023 Building of the Year Awards

Following two exciting weeks of nominations, ArchDaily’s readers have evaluated over 700 projects and selected 10 finalists for the Building of the Year Award China. Architects and enthusiasts participated in the nomination process, choosing projects that exemplify what it means to push architecture forward. These finalists are the buildings that have inspired ArchDaily readers the most, which also reveal the growing trend of Chinese architecture.

HU University of Applied Sciences / SHL

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Vanke Times Center / SHL

Vanke Times Center / SHL - Commercial Architecture, Facade, Lighting
© Yuzhu Zheng

Vanke Times Center / SHL - Commercial Architecture, Fence, Facade, Handrail, CityscapeVanke Times Center / SHL - Commercial Architecture, Facade, LightingVanke Times Center / SHL - Commercial Architecture, Stairs, Facade, Beam, Handrail, LightingVanke Times Center / SHL - Commercial Architecture, Courtyard, Facade, ChairVanke Times Center / SHL - More Images+ 29

Urban Mediaspace / SHL

Urban Mediaspace / SHL - Image 5 of 4
© SHL

Libraries are something that has been revolving my head ever since I read some writings by Kahn on the Exeter Academy Library. Part of my graduate studies focused on how this typology has evolved during this last few years, moving between the silent sanctuary of books we find at Exeter and new public spaces like OMA’s Seattle Library.

As the publishing/reading platforms are changing at an unprecedented speed (Web 2.0, eReaders and the Kindle, an upcoming “Hulu for Magazines”), physical libraries have the challenge to be a place for research, gathering, socializing… being built today, to house activities in the future that we don´t even know yet.

Urban Mediaspace / SHL - Image 11 of 4
© SHL

A good example is the ongoing “Urban Mediaspace”, a project by danish practice Schmidt / Hammer / Lassen Architects which will be completed by 2014. The project is part of a large scale urban renewal project to regenerate the docks area in Aarhus, Denmark.

A big covered public space offers the flexibility needed for this kind of program, enclosed by a transparent skin that connects the outside public space with the new interior public space.

Project description and more images after the break. Thanks to Trine from SHL for sharing this project with us:

Lund+Slaatto Architects + Schmidt Hammer Lassen to build urban complex in Vilnius

Lund+Slaatto Architects + Schmidt Hammer Lassen to build urban complex in Vilnius - Image 2 of 4

Danish architectural company schmidt hammer lassen architects + Lund+Slaatto Architects have won a 52,863 m2 mixed-use complex “Konstitucijos Avenue 21” in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

The project is the result of a successful collaboration with Oslo-based Lund+Slaatto Architects, a strategic partner of schmidt hammer lassen architects.

The client had requested cross-scandinavian architect teams for the task which led Lund+Slaatto to invite schmidt hammer lassen to join them. Architect’s description and more images after the break.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects wins Urban Mediaspace Competition

Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects wins Urban Mediaspace Competition - Featured Image

Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects was recently announced as the winner to design ‘Urban Mediaspace’, the largest public library in Scandinavia. The 228 million euro project is located in Aarhus, Denmark and is only the latest in the studio’s history of library designs. Other finalist in the competition included Mecanoo, GPP architects and A-team, a collaboration between two danish studios, Aart and Arkitema.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen’s deisgn aims to re-examine the traditional concept of library design. Rather than focusing on books, the building is envisioned as a hub for social interaction that includes indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, as well as studying, socialising and relaxing areas. Measuring 30,000 square metres, ‘Urban Mediaspace’ is located in Aarhus’s old cargo docks area. The building is heptagonal in shape and features a glazed-facade.

Seen at designboom. More images after the break.