World Architecture Day is 5 October 2020. This day was established in 2005 to show appreciation for architects and to celebrate great architecture works around the world.

In honour of World Architecture Day, Partners of A’Bear & Ball Architects LLP, Rob A’Bear and Damon Ball, are both sharing two of their favourite international buildings, highlighting great architecture and design in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

Rob’s two favourite architectural works:

Institute of Contemporary Art

Architects: Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Location: Boston, USA

Year Completed: 2006

Whilst the Institute of Contemporary Art building in Boston is 15 years old, Rob still finds it highly impressive. He has previously visited this building in person. The scheme was a catalyst for the regeneration of the waterfront area of Boston and is equally successful as an outward and inward looking building. And the relationship between the suspended lecture theatre and water is amazing!

Institute of Contemporary Art by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Visit dsrny.com to see more of their projects.

Picture Window House

Architects: Shigeru Ban Architects

Location: Shizuoka, Japan

Year Completed: 2002

Rob loves the collaboration of architecture and engineering with this single residence clifftop scheme, the Picture Window House in Japan. A clear ‘picture window’ opening of 20m x 2.5m offers fantastic unobstructed views of the ocean. The whole upper story is a truss spanning 20 meters to continue the natural sense of flow from the ocean.

Picture Window House by Shigeru Ban Architects. Photo © Hiroyuki Hirai. Visit shigerubanarchitects.com to see more of their projects.

Damon’s two favourite architectural works:

BMW Welt

Architects: Coop Himmelblau

Location: Munich, Germany

Year Completed: 2007

BMW Welt is a remarkable feat of engineering and an incredibly complex architectural form that has been executed with absolute mm precession. The building represents itself as a floating cloud emerging from a ’tornado’ like structure at the intersection of two prominent roads in Munich, right adjacent to Olympic Park. BMW Welt is a very unique landmark building. Additionally, the glass facade allows a lot of light into the rooms, and Damon feels the building looks especially eye-catching at night.

BMW Welt’s interior is just as remarkable as its exterior. The smallest details illustrate to visitors the notion of uniqueness. An easy orientation, differing room perspectives and a focus on comfort create a great atmosphere to present the BMW Group brands, which includes BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The entire building echos the brand of BMW, allowing visitors to experience the brands with all the senses.

BMW Welt by Coop Himmelblau. Visit coop-himmelblau.at to see more of their projects.

sysHaus Prefab Home

Architects: Studio Arthur Casas

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

Year Completed: 2018

The sysHaus prefabricated home integrates contemporary living with efficiency, practicality, flexibility and sustainability. This project can even be assembled and disassembled onsite with all of the components fully recyclable and without consuming natural resources or generating any waste. Damon hopes this is the future of architecture and construction so that the sector can become more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

sysHaus Prefab Home by Studio Arthur Casas. Visit arthurcasas.com to see more of their projects.

On World Architecture Day, celebrate the striking architecture around you. What are your favourite buildings in the world? Share it with us on our social media channels.