This year is a big one for the United Arab Emirates, not least because of the opening of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zayednationalmuseum.ae%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi</a>. The museum, dedicated to the history and culture of the UAE, is modeled on a bird's wings. It was designed by Pritztker Prize-winning British architect Norman Foster of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fosterandpartners.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Foster+ Partners</a>.
Zayed National Museum (Abu Dhabi) —
This year is a big one for the United Arab Emirates, not least because of the opening of the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. The museum, dedicated to the history and culture of the UAE, is modeled on a bird's wings. It was designed by Pritztker Prize-winning British architect Norman Foster of Foster+ Partners.
Foster + Partners
Also opening in the region this year is the the hotly anticipated <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2FSPECIALS%2Finside-the-middle-east%2Flouvre-abu-dhabi%2Fpart%2F1">Louvre Abu Dhabi</a>, masterminded by French architect Jean Nouvel (also a Pritzker Prize-winner). The highlight? A lattice steel roof intended to create the illusion of a "rain of light" for those walking underneath. It's meant to be reminiscent of walking through a semi-covered souk.
Louvre Abu Dhabi —
Also opening in the region this year is the the hotly anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi, masterminded by French architect Jean Nouvel (also a Pritzker Prize-winner). The highlight? A lattice steel roof intended to create the illusion of a "rain of light" for those walking underneath. It's meant to be reminiscent of walking through a semi-covered souk.
courtesy louvre abu dhabi
Since <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.calatrava.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Santiago Calatrava</a> revealed his plans for the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.panynj.gov%2Fwtcprogress%2Ftransportation-hub.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">World Trade Center Transportation Hub</a>, part of an area regeneration with contributions from the likes of <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DDaniel%2BLibeskind%26rlz%3D1C1CHFX_enGB595GB595%26oq%3DDaniel%2BLibeskind%26aqs%3Dchrome..69i57j0j69i59j0l3.359j0j4%26sourceid%3Dchrome%26es_sm%3D93%26ie%3DUTF-8%23q%3DDaniel%2BLibeskind%2Bcnn%2Bworld%2Btrade" target="_blank" target="_blank">Daniel Libeskind</a> and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2015%2F06%2F12%2Ftravel%2Ftwo-world-trade-center-tower-big%2F">Bjarke Ingels</a>, the project has been beset by <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fastcodesign.com%2F3039658%2Fsantiago-calatrava-the-worlds-most-hated-architect" target="_blank" target="_blank">rising financial costs and numerous delays</a>. But it looks as though, 12 years on, the breath-taking station could finally open. <br /><br />Calatrava likens the design to a bird being release from a child's hands, with the wings supported by "columns of light," according to a statement. <br /><br />"At night, the illuminated building will serve as a lantern in its neighborhood," explains Calatrava. <br />
World Trade Center Transportation Hub (New York, New York) —
Since Santiago Calatrava revealed his plans for the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, part of an area regeneration with contributions from the likes of Daniel Libeskind and Bjarke Ingels, the project has been beset by rising financial costs and numerous delays. But it looks as though, 12 years on, the breath-taking station could finally open.

Calatrava likens the design to a bird being release from a child's hands, with the wings supported by "columns of light," according to a statement.

"At night, the illuminated building will serve as a lantern in its neighborhood," explains Calatrava.
Courtesy Santiago Calatrava
Vincent Callebaut, a self-proclaimed "archibiotect" made waves when he first put forward his designs for the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan tower -- also known as the Agora Garden tower -- in 2010. The twisting tower aims to be one of the world's most eco-friendly structures. It has several of its own gardens and forests to sustain those who reside within, recycles all organic waste and used water and is heated using solar power.
Tao Zhu Yin Yuan Tower (Taipei, Taiwan) —
Vincent Callebaut, a self-proclaimed "archibiotect" made waves when he first put forward his designs for the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan tower -- also known as the Agora Garden tower -- in 2010. The twisting tower aims to be one of the world's most eco-friendly structures. It has several of its own gardens and forests to sustain those who reside within, recycles all organic waste and used water and is heated using solar power.
Courtesy Vincent Callebaut
Also coming soon in Taipei: <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Foma.eu%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Rem Koolhaus and David Gianotten of OMA's</a> theatrical performing arts center. The experimental design sees a skeletal frame supporting a massive orb.
OMA's Taipei Performing Arts Center (Taipei, Taiwan) —
Also coming soon in Taipei: Rem Koolhaus and David Gianotten of OMA's theatrical performing arts center. The experimental design sees a skeletal frame supporting a massive orb.
Courtesy OMA
Thanks to <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.artbasel.com%2Fmiami-beach" target="_blank" target="_blank">Art Basel Miami Beach</a>, the Floridian city has become a contemporary art and design hotspot. How better to cement that than through the launch of a beautiful new museum? The 90,000 square foot Latin American Art Museum, designed by Fernando Romero of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fr-ee.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">FR-EE</a> (whose <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2F-9pJs_gZMx%2F%3Ftaken-by%3Dcnnstyle" target="_blank" target="_blank">"El Sol"</a> was a highlight from this year's Design Miami fair) has been conceived as a series of overlapping terraces to "blur the border between indoors and outdoors" and encourage pedestrians to visit.
Latin American Art Museum (Miami, Florida) —
Thanks to Art Basel Miami Beach, the Floridian city has become a contemporary art and design hotspot. How better to cement that than through the launch of a beautiful new museum? The 90,000 square foot Latin American Art Museum, designed by Fernando Romero of FR-EE (whose "El Sol" was a highlight from this year's Design Miami fair) has been conceived as a series of overlapping terraces to "blur the border between indoors and outdoors" and encourage pedestrians to visit.
courtesy fr-ee
The <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tate.org.uk%2Fvisit%2Ftate-modern" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tate Modern</a> -- London's preeminent contemporary art museum -- is already a local architectural favorite, located in the former Bankside Power Station. The new addition from Swiss duo <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.herzogdemeuron.com%2Findex.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Herzog & de Meuron</a> (also Pritzker Prize-winners) could elevate it to another level. Though it looks ultra modern compared to the original building (which was built in the 1950's), it uses the same brick palette and, if all goes according to plan, should blend somewhat seamlessly into the original structure.
Tate Modern extension (London, England) —
The Tate Modern -- London's preeminent contemporary art museum -- is already a local architectural favorite, located in the former Bankside Power Station. The new addition from Swiss duo Herzog & de Meuron (also Pritzker Prize-winners) could elevate it to another level. Though it looks ultra modern compared to the original building (which was built in the 1950's), it uses the same brick palette and, if all goes according to plan, should blend somewhat seamlessly into the original structure.
© Hayes Davidson and Herzog & de Meuron
Tanzanian-born <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adjaye.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">David Adjaye</a> had a landmark year in 2015, with exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Cooper-Hewitt museum. This year, he'll open the new <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnmaahc.si.edu%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">National Museum of African American History and Culture</a> in Washington, DC. <br /><br />The museum's exterior will be covered in intricate bronze mesh, recalling the ironwork done by freed slaves in the South following emancipation.
National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington DC) —
Tanzanian-born David Adjaye had a landmark year in 2015, with exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Cooper-Hewitt museum. This year, he'll open the new National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.

The museum's exterior will be covered in intricate bronze mesh, recalling the ironwork done by freed slaves in the South following emancipation.
Courtesy David Adjaye Associates
When it opens, the 100-floor <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kpf.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates</a>-designed Ping An Financial Center will be Shenzhen's tallest structure to date, and the fourth tallest building in the world. Impressively, the building has also been LEED gold pre-certified, a high certification of green architecture.
Ping An Financial Center (Shenzhen, China) —
When it opens, the 100-floor Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates-designed Ping An Financial Center will be Shenzhen's tallest structure to date, and the fourth tallest building in the world. Impressively, the building has also been LEED gold pre-certified, a high certification of green architecture.
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC
The most anticipated buildings of 2016
CNN  — 

From where we stand, 2015 has been an exciting year for architecture. From the opening of Zaha Hadid’s cliff-side Alpine museum, to the ongoing controversy surrounding Herzog & de Meuron Parisian tower and Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic stadium. But what feats of construction and design have we got to look forward to in 2016? Scroll through the gallery above to see the buildings we’re most looking forward to in the new year.