VIA 57 WEST, the first project designed by the Danish Architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in North America, has been chosen by the World Architecture Festival as a finalist for its World Building of the Year.
The World Architecture Festival named a total of 343 completed and future projects from 58 countries. They will compete in 32 categories, including Culture, Mixed Use, Housing and Sport. A winner from each category will be selected.
VIA 57 WEST is the only project from the U.S. shortlisted under Housing, running against another 15 architecturally unique buildings around the world, including d’Leedon and R-House, respectively designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in Singapore and Q-Lab in Tainan City, Taiwan.
The World Architecture Festival, the largest international gathering of architects, will be held in Berlin from November 16th to the 18th. Finalists will present their projects to a jury. From all the entries, a winner for World Building of the Year and Future Project of the Year will be announced.
Natural light, views, trees, plants, and moving water are integral components of VIA’s holistic design aesthetic. The centerpiece of the building — located at 625 West 57th St. — is VIA Garden, a lushly planted courtyard that opens toward the Hudson River. It is developed by The Durst Organization.
Last year, The World Architecture Festival’s Building of the Year award was given to the Interlace, a 1,000-unit apartment building in Singapore designed by Ole Scheeren, while the Future Project of the Year was given to Vancouver House, a 49-story, mixed-use skyscraper in Vancouver designed by BIG.
Here is this year’s full shortlist.
Write to Fang Block at fang.block@dowjones.com