In the final phase of an event celebrating the best in architecture and design, the Prix Versailles revealed the 12 latest world winners. The latest dozen winning projects made it 21 awards in total for the year. The event was held at UNESCO headquarters with numerous ambassadors in attendance who came to support their countries’ representatives in the competition.
The chairman of the world judges panel, Francisco Bandarin, reminded the audience that architecture and design can be at the cutting edge of an economy based on quality of life – to the benefit of the many – which encourages the idea of recognising excellence in a diversity of styles.
With its necessarily high standards (all regions combined, fewer than 1% of the projects examined make it to the winners’ podium), the Prix Versailles continues to pursue its ambition of promoting a form of economic development which manifests the award programme’s motto of inspiration, progress and inclusion.
Among them, Special Prize Interior was awarded to Niekhu Mountain Villa, Riksgränsen, Sweden, delivered by Stylt Trampoli.
In the hotels category, the Prix Versailles winner was included Six Senses Bhutan, Thimphu, Paro, Punakha in Bhutan by Habita Architects; and the Special Prize Exterior was awarded to Capella Ubud, Bali, Indonesia by Bensley from Bangkok, Thailand.
For restaurants, the Prix Versailles was awarded to Song’s Chinese Cuisine, Guangzhou, China by Republican Metropolis Architecture of Guangzhou, China. The Special Prize Interior was awarded to Kyoto Hyoto, Kyoto, Japan by Chiba Manabu Architects from Tokyo, Japan and the Special Prize Exterior was awarded to Sundy Praia in Principe, São Tomé and PrÃncipe by Didier Lefort Architectes Associés from Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
