The judging course of for Architizer’s 14th A+Awards is now underway. Subscribe to our Awards E-newsletter to obtain updates about Public Voting, and keep tuned — winners shall be introduced later this spring.
Rooftops aren’t 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 (each time there’s a ok view to be taken in, that’s).
On this assortment, nevertheless, the rooftop takes on a extra deliberate function, changing into a part of the spatial concept from the beginning and shaping how folks transfer, collect and spend time throughout the constructing.
Some are designed as paths you comply with. Others prolong each day life upward in sudden methods. A couple of even rethink what a roof truly is. However taken collectively, these eight initiatives present how a well-recognized component can do way over provide a surprising view.
Aruma Cut up Backyard
By RAD+ar ( Analysis Creative Design + structure ), Indonesia
Challenge of the 12 months, thirteenth Annual A+Awards
Jury 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 everyday stacked flooring. Aruma Cut up Backyard breaks the amount into shifting ranges that transfer round present timber. Flooring step and overlap, linked by diagonal paths that information guests via eating places and a mezzanine bar.
The rooftop is the place all the pieces opens up. A beer backyard stretches throughout it, however it doesn’t really feel like a ultimate vacation spot. It continues the identical motion, the identical greenery, the identical ambiance. You arrive regularly, already a part of it. By extending the exercise upward, the roof turns into an energetic public layer somewhat 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 provides the roof again to each day life. Constructed throughout a completely 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 degree, 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 development 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 somewhat than a single outward gaze. Construction, envelope and panorama are developed collectively, permitting every degree to really feel distinct whereas remaining a part of one steady kind.
The Quartet – Songzhuang Z Museum
By TEAM_BLDG, Zhejiang, China

Some rooftops offer you a view. This one provides 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+Awards
Fashionable 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 each 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 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 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’d via a park. Paths curve and prolong, connecting retailers, places of work and cultural areas alongside the best way.
Quite than stopping on the high, the rooftop retains 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 everyday 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 middle of Tirana. The transformation reopens it fully, 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 somewhat than a hidden floor.
Inside, colourful volumes introduce school 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 academic campus, the brand new kindergarten fills a decent hole between present buildings. As an alternative of leaving the roof unused, it’s became a big out of doors play area. Youngsters transfer up via open, accessible flooring and arrive at a deck that looks like an extension of the classroom.
The curved format follows the constructing’s edge, opening views towards the mountains whereas holding the area contained and protected. On the high, the rooftop turns into a spot to run, collect and be taught exterior.
The judging course of for Architizer’s 14th A+Awards is now underway. Subscribe to our Awards E-newsletter to obtain updates about Public Voting, and keep tuned — winners shall be introduced later this spring.












