Out of this world: Extraordinary new building designs from around the globe

Beijing, Galaxy Soho
The Galaxy Soho is an office, retail and entertainment building without any corners, which creates an immersive and enveloping experience in the heart of the city, according to the Design Museum.
Designed by Zaha Hadid

Beijing, Galaxy Soho
The flowing complex seen from the ground. Designed by Zaha Hadid

Beijing, Galaxy Soho
Seen in daylight.
Designed by Zaha Hadid

Beijing, Galaxy Soho
Another view of the extraordinary building.
Designed by Zaha Hadid

New York, Four Freedoms Park
In the late 1960s, New York City Mayor John Lindsay proposed reinventing Roosevelt Island.
Designed by Louis Kahn.

New York, Four Freedoms Park
Louis Kahn, was announced as the architect of the project in 1973, but it was put on hold as the City of New York approached bankruptcy.
Designed by Louis Kahn.

New York, Four Freedoms Park
In 2010, 38 years after its announcement and with Kahn now dead, construction of Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park finally began.
Designed by Louis Kahn.

Spijikenisse, Book Mountain
This mountain of bookshelves is contained by a glass structure and a pyramid roof.
Designed by MVRDV.

Spijikenisse, Book Mountain
Corridors and platforms are accessed by a network of stairs to allow visitors to browse.
Designed by MVRDV.

Seoul, Kukje Art Centre
This building is draped in a stainless steel mesh blanket that fits precisely over its structure and "merges with the district's historic urban fabric." Designed by SO - IL

Paris, La Tour Bois-Le-Pretre
This modern apartment block was transformed from a run-down cement tower block in northern Paris (see next slide). Designed by Druot, Lacaton and Vassal.

The project represented an “alternative approach to the physical and social redevelopment of decaying post-war housing”. Designed by Druot, Lacaton and Vassal.

Superkilen, Nørrebro
Superkilen is a kilometre-long park situated through an area just north of Copenhagen's city centre.
Designed by BIG, TOPOTEK1 and Superflex

Lisbon, Thalia Theatre
Built in the 1840s, the Thalia Theatre has been converted into a space for conferences, exhibitions and events.
Designed by Gonçalo Byrne Arquitectos & Barbas Lopes Arquitectos

Lisbon, Thalia Theatre
To retain the old walls, the exterior has been covered in concrete, while the interior remains in its original condition.
Designed by Gonçalo Byrne Arquitectos & Barbas Lopes Arquitectos

Lisbon, Thalia Theatre
The theatre seen from the inside Designed by Gonçalo Byrne Arquitectos & Barbas Lopes Arquitectos

Belfast, Metropolitan Arts Centre
The Metropolitan Arts Centre is wedged between two existing buildings beside the cathedral. The glazed tower sits atop the volcanic stone facade of the performing arts centre to create a beacon above the surrounding rooftops.
Designed by Hackett Hall McKnight

London, A room for London
Perched above Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s Southbank Centre, the boat-shaped one bedroom installation provides guests a place of reflection amid the flow of traffic surrounding its iconic location. Designed by David Kohn Architects in collaboration with artist Fiona Banner.

London, A room for London
The room viewed from the inside.
Designed by David Kohn Architects in collaboration with artist Fiona Banner.

Warwickshire, Astley Castle
The Design Museum said the sensitive renewal of Astley Castle presented a strong new idea for future interactions with the old and new. Designed by Witherford Watson Mann

Warwickshire, Astley Castle
Another view of the castle.
Designed by Witherford Watson Mann

Cleveland, Museum of Contemporary Art
This 34,000 sq ft structure is environmentally sustainable.
Designed by Farshid Moussavi Architecture

London, The Shard
The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe and has dramatically altered London's skyline. Designed by Renzo Piano