Airports are judged, officially or unofficially, on a variety of aspects. The worst airports in the U.S. (according to Frommer’s). The best and worst ones in Canada (according to Canadians). The airports with the longest and shortest walks from entry to gate. The busiest airports (ATL maintains its hold on that one).
Hotels have their own categories that they can officially or unofficially win (or lose, LOL). The best hotels in the world according to Conde Nast Traveler. The hotel that prided itself on being the world’s worst. The largest hotel in the world. A hotel was even voted the nicest place in America a few years ago.
Anyway, the Prix Versaille, considered the architectural world’s Oscars, honors outstanding architectural and interior design achievements. Sponsored by UNESCO, the awards began in 2015, when the bestowed awards for outstanding design of shops/stores, hotels and restaurants. They expanded to add shopping malls in 2017, and then university campuses, passenger stations and sports facilities in 2019. The “most beautiful airports” category was added in 2020.
The awards rely on far-reaching calls for submissions and systematic media analyses, and then Prix Versaille utilizes the opinions of a variety of artists to choose the winners each year.
During a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris last week, the program selected the main prize winners from a field of “World’s Most Beautiful” categories.
For 2024, the judges include:
- David Adjaye (Ghana/United Kingdom) – architect
- Julia Fischer (Germany) – violinist
- Sout Fujimoto (Japan) – architect
- Guo Pei (China) – fashion designer
- Daniel Libeskind (United States) – architect
- Banjamin Millepied (France) – Dancer/choreographer
- Blanca Suárez (Spain) – actress
- Wang Shu (China) – architect
They give the Prix Versaille award to what they consider to be the absolute best, and then have “Special Prize” categories for both architectural Interior and Exterior, followed by the “World Selection,” which can be held by several entities.
The winners
Airports
Prix Versaille: Zayed International Airport – Abu Dhabi, AE
Special prize for an Interior: Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 – Singapore, SG
Special prize for an Exterior: Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Midfield Satellite 1 – Bangkok, TH
World Selection: Felipe Ángeles International Airport – Zumpango, MX
World Selection: Logan International Airport’s Terminal E – Boston, US
World Selection: Kansas City International Airport – Kansas City, US
From UAE Moments:
Zayed International Airport isn’t just another airport – it’s a gateway to Abu Dhabi’s culture, innovation, and ambition. From its breathtaking design to its unparalleled functionality, it proves that airports can be more than a means to an end – they can be destinations themselves.
Hotels
PC: TheHanokHotel.com
Prix Versaille: The Hanok Heritage House – Yeongwol, KR
Special prize for an Interior: The Ned Doha – Doha, QA
Special prize for an Exterior: The Dolli – Athens, GR
World Selection: Manly Pacific – Sydney, AU
World Selection: Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain – Zallaq, BH
World Selection: Pulso Hotel – Säo Paulo, BR
World Selection: Nobis Hotel Palma – Palma, ES
World Selection: Cap d’Antibes Beach House – Antibes, FR
World Selection: La Fantaisie – Paris, FR
World Selection: Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes – Bordeaux, FR
World Selection: Lasserhaus – Brixen, IT
World Selection: Maroma, A Belmond Hotel – Playa del Carmen, MX
World Selection: Verhelho – Melides, PT
World Selection: Pan Pacific Orchard – Singapore, SX
World Selection: The Hazendal – Stellenbosch, ZA
More information about the awards can be found at https://www.prix-versailles.com.
Feature Photo: Designer Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
