Selvika National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad (Finnmark, Norway) —
No, this isn't a grand display of public sculpture. Instead, the snaking building is a particularly beautiful road-side stop in northeastern Finland, complete with bathrooms, bike racks and an information booth.
On the Corner by Eastern Design Office (Yokkaichi, Japan) —
No, you're not seeing things. This concrete and glass apartment building from Tokyo firm Eastern Design Office is built on a triangular lot, and appears flat when viewed from certain angles.
Pierresvives by Zaha Hadid (Montpellier, France) —
Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid is no stranger to concrete, using the material to create some of her most memorable structures, like the Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan and the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi.
According to the Hadid, this community center in Montpellier "blends formal geometric complexity with bold structures and an innovative use of materials."
Niigata City Konan Ward Cultural Center by Chiaki Arai (Niigata, Japan) —
The Niigata City Konan Ward Cultural Center's simple, bunker-like exterior is juxtaposed with a playful interior. The walls are dotted with seemingly random slits that either allow in natural light from outdoors or hold florescent bulbs.
