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Collection by Patrick Sisson

Inspiring Small Space Projects Around the World

When it comes to the World Architecture Festival—the largest, live global architecture festival and awards—the slight gestures and creative solutions found in these small-space projects can provide the most lasting impressions. See other impressive buildings up for awards here.

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Malapa Hominid Fossil Site Cover and Visitors' Platform (Krynauw Nel Associates: Guateng, South Africa) This sophisticated, polygonal lookout by the renowned South African architect Krynauw Nel is located on one of the richest veins of early human fossils in existence.
Malapa Hominid Fossil Site Cover and Visitors' Platform (Krynauw Nel Associates: Guateng, South Africa) This sophisticated, polygonal lookout by the renowned South African architect Krynauw Nel is located on one of the richest veins of early human fossils in existence.
Salvaged Ring (a21studio: Nha Trang, Vietnam) This thatch-roofed café is a site-specific masterpiece created from stacks of scrap wood from a nearby carpenter. The unique curved roof, structured with a gap for ventilation, leaves a curved shadow that shuffles across the floor as patrons contemplate and caffeinate.
Salvaged Ring (a21studio: Nha Trang, Vietnam) This thatch-roofed café is a site-specific masterpiece created from stacks of scrap wood from a nearby carpenter. The unique curved roof, structured with a gap for ventilation, leaves a curved shadow that shuffles across the floor as patrons contemplate and caffeinate.
Strömkajen Ferry Terminals (Marge Arkitekter: Stockholm, Sweden) The shape of these brass shelters near Stockholm’s seaside tourist mecca should be familiar to anybody taking snapshots: they're modeled after the cone of a film camera. Those taking photos are, in a sense, being framed themselves.
Strömkajen Ferry Terminals (Marge Arkitekter: Stockholm, Sweden) The shape of these brass shelters near Stockholm’s seaside tourist mecca should be familiar to anybody taking snapshots: they're modeled after the cone of a film camera. Those taking photos are, in a sense, being framed themselves.
Alex Monroe Studio (DSDHA: London, United Kingdom) This three-story timber-framed addition to a triangular building in London houses a custom jewelry studio. As a reflection of the craft occurring inside, the wood will patina over time, revealing wear and age.
Alex Monroe Studio (DSDHA: London, United Kingdom) This three-story timber-framed addition to a triangular building in London houses a custom jewelry studio. As a reflection of the craft occurring inside, the wood will patina over time, revealing wear and age.
Sydney Harbour Ferry Wharves Upgrade (GroupGSA: Sydney, Australia) Designing ferry infrastructure that aesthetically complimented one of the world’s most recognized harbors was a steep challenge, met well with these sleek, glass, and steel structures.
Sydney Harbour Ferry Wharves Upgrade (GroupGSA: Sydney, Australia) Designing ferry infrastructure that aesthetically complimented one of the world’s most recognized harbors was a steep challenge, met well with these sleek, glass, and steel structures.
Scaletta (nA Nakayama Architect co.: Hokkaido, Japan) With a box-in-box structure that recalls a Breuer home stood on its end, this sleek business complex gets plenty of notice with its thin frame.
Scaletta (nA Nakayama Architect co.: Hokkaido, Japan) With a box-in-box structure that recalls a Breuer home stood on its end, this sleek business complex gets plenty of notice with its thin frame.
Loreto Archives Centre (Gray Puksand: Ballarat, Australia) A turn-of-the-century schoolhouse isn’t a surprising choice for a small archive. But the striking design of this historical site, which framed the original structure in glass and exposed original joints and materials, gives the documents and ephemera a more dramatic home.
Loreto Archives Centre (Gray Puksand: Ballarat, Australia) A turn-of-the-century schoolhouse isn’t a surprising choice for a small archive. But the striking design of this historical site, which framed the original structure in glass and exposed original joints and materials, gives the documents and ephemera a more dramatic home.
The Pinch (Department of Architecture at The University of Hong Kong: Yunnan, China) Few children experience the joy of running through a library, not to mention running on top of one, as they can do with this unique structure. Built in the wake of the 2012 earthquake that ravaged the province, the radical reading place offers seating, and as slide, on its curved timber roof.
The Pinch (Department of Architecture at The University of Hong Kong: Yunnan, China) Few children experience the joy of running through a library, not to mention running on top of one, as they can do with this unique structure. Built in the wake of the 2012 earthquake that ravaged the province, the radical reading place offers seating, and as slide, on its curved timber roof.
Cook Park Amenities (Fox Johnston: Sydney, Australia) When was the last time you saw a public restroom worthy of an award? A series of these gently curving structures, boasting timber battened skin, now dot the Cook Park beachfront and have been credited with making the area more accessible.
Cook Park Amenities (Fox Johnston: Sydney, Australia) When was the last time you saw a public restroom worthy of an award? A series of these gently curving structures, boasting timber battened skin, now dot the Cook Park beachfront and have been credited with making the area more accessible.
Kiosks in Shells for Sparrow Hills (Wowhaus: Moscow, Russia) These temporary structures provide a respite to those heading to the former Lenin Hills area of Moscow.
Kiosks in Shells for Sparrow Hills (Wowhaus: Moscow, Russia) These temporary structures provide a respite to those heading to the former Lenin Hills area of Moscow.