A library in the Netherlands wins the title of World Building of the Year

The LocHal Public Library in Tilburg, Netherlands, has been named as the World Building of the Year for 2019. The library was designed by architects Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau, and Inside Outside. It was recognised as the World Building of the Year in the World Architecture Festival due to its versatility. It was judged by a panel of 150 architects, designers, and academics.
The LocHal Public Library actually shares its facilities with others, such as co-working spaces and art organisations. The panel of judges was particularly impressed by the library’s use of the original hangar structure, and the fact that it has not built new structures.


Originally a locomotive hangar from 1932, this was later transformed into a public space, this has made it possible for so many different facilities to share its large space. This space is also used for lectures and public events from time to time. The locomotive hangar was in fact supposed to get demolished, but thanks to all these elements, it is today a place where people meet and socialise.
Among the other winners this year, you have a Japanese colonial house in Taipei City that bagged the award for the best interior, and the Yangpu Riverside Public Space in Shanghai won the title of Landscape of the Year.

Some of the finalists, who fought for the World Building of the Year title, were Lindis Lodge, a luxury hotel in New Zealand; Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s (Philippines) new wooden-arched terminal; a sports centre in Barcelona; and a university building in Tokyo.