The University Children’s Hospital Zurich, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, has been awarded the title of Dezeen Awards 2025 Architecture Project of the Year. This announcement came alongside the reveal of all 17 architecture category winners during a celebration in London.
This year, the 17 winning projects are spread across 15 countries, including Denmark, Uganda, Australia, Mexico, and Japan.
The University Children’s Hospital Zurich, also named Leisure and Wellness Project of the Year, earned the top honor, with the award sponsored by Programa.
The architecture master jury commented, “This is a project that deserves widespread recognition.”
They continued, “It is an outstanding example in a field where such quality is rare but incredibly important. This is the level of excellence to which all architecture should aspire.”
The project was selected from a group of impressive category winners, such as a mass-timber office in Finland, a performing arts centre constructed with earth bricks in Uganda, and the revitalization of a historic fish and seafood marketplace in Sweden.
Other notable winners included a school defined by vibrant green steel walkways and a house renovation featuring corrugated metal cladding for an industrial feel.
Explore the full list of award-winning architecture projects below:
Architecture Project of the Year and Leisure and Wellness Project of the Year: University Children’s Hospital Zurich by Herzog & de Meuron
Inspired by the structure of a town and designed to enhance patient wellbeing, the 96,200-square-metre University Children’s Hospital Zurich encompasses a wood-clad acute-care facility and a research centre, both linked by green open space.
The judges stated, “It is rare to see a hospital of this caliber. The design and execution are exceptional, particularly at this scale.”
“This should set the benchmark for healthcare buildings,” they added.
Read more about University Children’s Hospital Zurich by Herzog & de Meuron ›
Urban House of the Year: Hedge and Arbour House by Studio Bright
Studio Bright, an Australian practice, received the Urban House of the Year award for this suburban Melbourne residence, defined by its metal mesh screens.
The exterior mesh structures serve as climbing supports for deciduous plants, creating a natural, seasonal shading system for the home.
“This inventive and captivating home stands as a clear improvement on its surroundings,” the jury noted.
“The architects maximized the site and skillfully used the mesh to balance privacy, light, and ventilation,” they continued.
Read more about Hedge and Arbour House by Studio Bright ›
