Project showcase

Gallery: Shortlisted entries for The Pineapples Awards 2026

International Future Place

Olympic Plaza Transformation, Calgary, Canada for Werklund Centre and The City of Calgary with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, gh3 Architecture, CCxA Landscape Architecture and Belleville Placemaking

The Olympic Plaza Transformation (OPT) will revitalize a 35-year-old outdoor urban gathering place and cultural landmark as a modern, public space that connects with the expansion of an existing arts facility to create a complete ‘campus’ experience. The integrated transformation of the plaza with the adjacent Werklund Centre will enliven a historic downtown block by providing flexible public space that can accommodate a wide range of events and programming for up to 5,000 people.

2026 International Future Place

Southbank, Bratislava, Slovakia for Penta Real Estate with Studio Egret West, Snøhetta, Gro Arkiteki and Pantograph

Southbank Bratislava reimagines the Danube’s southern bank as a dynamic mixed-use district with a balanced blend of homes and workplaces, the masterplan is carved into five distinctive ‘bowls’ of activity and ecology, all linked by an activated central boardwalk. Residential buildings embrace organic, terraced forms, while workplace clusters step up to create a striking gateway to the city.

2026 International Future Place

Trollhättan 6, Malmö, Sweden for Skanska Fastigheter, Riksbyggen and Malmö Stad with Kjellander Sjöberg, Förstberg Ling, We Made That, Ramboll

The re-development of the Trollhättan 6 city block into a mixed-use urban quarter in Malmö, Sweden proposes a hybrid architecture that combines both workspace and housing, while the ground floor contributes to vibrant urban life along the quayside and in the surrounding streets. The ambition of the scheme includes the careful re-use of existing elements of an office block and car park, with a bold sustainability agenda.

2026 International Future Place

Nairobi Central Station, Nairobi, Kenya for the Kenya Railway Company with AtkinsRéalis, Howard Humphreys and Mace

Nairobi Central Station is the heart of Railway City—a visionary urban regeneration project transforming 170 hectares into a vibrant, transit-oriented hub. The station design blends heritage with the modern outlook for Nairobi, accommodating up to 30,000 passengers per hour. Inspired by Kenya’s cultural “Boma,” it offers a welcoming public realm that stitches into the city’s urban fabric. Sustainability has been integrated throughout the design with rainwater harvesting, biophilia and climate.

2026 International Future Place Winner

Jabal Thabeer, Makkah, Saudi Arabia for Kidana with Gillespies, PUD Consultants, Systematica and Studio 4215

Jabal Thabeer Park transforms one of Makkah’s sacred mountains into a place of reflection, renewal, and belonging. Rooted in the rituals of Hajj yet looking firmly to the future, the design creates a sanctuary where pilgrims and communities can gather, rest, and connect. Blending faith, landscape, and innovation, Jabal Thabeer is envisioned as a beacon of continuity, a timeless public realm that honours tradition while shaping the spiritual journeys of generations to come.

2026 International Future Place

Wan Chai Connect, Wan Chai, Hong Kong for Public-Private partnership with DCMSTUDIOS Architects, urban designers Hong Kong and Buro Happold

This redevelopment will add 24,000 m² of new convention and exhibition space over three levels to the existing Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), increasing capacity by 35%. A new 100-storey tower will provide 200,000 m² of Grade A office space across 80 floors, accommodating up to 17,000 workers. Also included is a 20-floor, 50,000 m² 5-star hotel with 500 rooms. Together, these buildings establish a new centre of gravity in Wan Chai.

2026 International Future Place