A week ago, we announced the 15 finalist projects for the 2023 Building of the Year Award—a recognition of the best architecture in Spanish. Our expert jury—that is, you, our readers—selected an initial shortlist of 15 projects from nearly 1,000 works of architecture built across Latin America and Spain, before proceeding to a final vote that resulted in 3 projects representing the very best of the architecture that inspires us, defines us, and leaves its mark.
Today, the winners of the 2023 ODA are finally revealed!
We are pleased to present two works located in Mexico and one in Spain that demonstrate the relevance of designing architecture to address specific local needs, ultimately improving quality of life across all scales and programs.
The 2023 Building of the Year Award is brought to you by Dornbracht, renowned for its design leadership in architecture, featured internationally in bathrooms and kitchens. Explore the winning projects below.
Third Place
Casa TO / Ludwig Godefroy Architecture
Text description provided by the architects. The project was designed under the hallmark of simplicity and conceptual elegance, merging tradition and avant-garde in an unprecedented structure embraced by the tranquility of nature. Its name, Casa TO, arises from the idea of serene contemplation in a space defined as a reinterpretation of a Oaxacan temple, creating a radical sensory experience from the moment one steps inside.
The structure evokes the grid pattern of two historic water works of timeless beauty: the Basilica Cistern —Yerebatan Sarayı— in Istanbul, dating from the sixth century, and the Hornsey Wood Reservoir in London's Finsbury Park, built in the 19th century.
Second Place
TOVA Prototype / IAAC 3D Printing Architecture Postgraduate Program
Text description provided by the architects. Today, we need nearly two planets a year to sustain our society's current production and consumption patterns. This requires, at the very least, a shift in how we approach design and construction practices. Consequently, we set out to combine additive manufacturing (3D printing) with the ancient practice of earth construction, aiming to bring together the best qualities of both techniques.
TOVA is the first 3D-printed earth prototype in Ibero-America. This applied research project was developed by a team of students and professionals from the 3D Printing Architecture postgraduate program at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in the Collserola Natural Park in Barcelona, Spain, surrounding Valldaura Labs. The location allowed for an approach focused on using materials sourced from the immediate context; the prototype is constructed with sustainable materials, entirely from local earth and water sourced within a 500-meter radius of the site. To achieve this, the soil properties were researched to find the optimal mixture of clay and water for printing the walls, utilizing geopolymers for the substructure and wood for the roof.
First Place
Music House / Colectivo C733
Text description provided by the architects. Music and celebrations play a fundamental role in the daily life of Nacajuca, spanning from the Mesoamerican-rooted Pochó dance to contemporary expressions.
The new Community Center repurposes the foundations of the pre-existing building, providing a dignified space for community gatherings.
Mirroring the Community Center and forming a public boulevard between the two buildings, the new Music School overlooks a severely polluted stream. Its load-bearing walls are aligned with the rhythm of the pre-existing structure of the Community Center; as a result, when all doors are open, one can look straight through the entire complex transversely. The Music School comprises eight classrooms, a cafeteria, restrooms, and administrative areas. Due to the slope of its roof, each space features double-height ceilings and high windows that look out onto the treetops. The complex is the town's first building to discharge clean water back into the rivers, utilizing a system that culminates in a series of treatment wetlands. We aim to demonstrate how a different approach to water bodies is possible.
This article was written by Fabian Dejtiar. The translation is powered by AI.
