Influential architecture magazine picks top sites that will open in 2026

One of the world's most influential and read architecture and design magazines, London-based Dezeen has compiled a list of some of the most exciting building projects that are reaching completion in 2026 to be looking out for globally.

Sagrada Familia, Spain, by Antoni Gaudí

The Sagrada Familia, one of the world’s most famous unfinished buildings, is set to reach completion in 2026, exactly 100 years after the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí. The vast basilica was conceived with 18 spires, and construction is now focused on the final six towers, including the central spire, which rises to 170 metres. Upon its completion in 2025 the Sagrada Familia earned the title of the tallest church in the world, standing nearly 10 metres higher than Ulm Minster in Germany.

Construction of the church began in 1882 and has been repeatedly disrupted, most notably during the Spanish civil war, when many of Gaudí’s original plans were destroyed. Gaudí assumed control of the project in 1883 after the original architect resigned and radically transformed its design, overseeing work for four decades until his death, by which time less than a quarter of the structure was complete. 

In recent years, progress has accelerated with the involvement of the renowned British engineering and design consultancy firm Arup, which has helped streamline construction. Speaking to Dezeen, Arup engineer Tristram Carfrae said prefabricated stone panels are now being used to build the remaining towers, allowing the long-delayed project to move closer to completion.

Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre Cairo, Egypt, by Foster + Partners

The site for an innovative approach to medical treatment is set to be completed on the Nile by the London-based Foster + Partners studio. It is set to complete the Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre Cairo in 2026, a landmark healthcare project designed to place patients in close contact with nature. The 300-bed hospital will feature a distinctive shell-like roofscape and be set within a lush landscape offering views of a nearby lake and the Egyptian pyramids. The scheme reflects the studio’s commitment to biophilic design, which integrates natural elements and materials to support both physical and emotional wellbeing.

“It brings together the latest research on biophilia and the positive impact of nature in clinical settings with our pioneering work on collaborative working environments that allow healthcare professionals to give the best care,” said Nigel Dancey, head of studio at Foster + Partners. The design firm was founded by influential British architect Norman Foster, the brain behind the famous Gherkin building in London. The design prioritises natural light, greenery and outward-facing views throughout the building, an approach intended to help reduce stress and speed up patient recovery.

Once completed, the Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre Cairo will provide free medical treatment to underprivileged patients across Egypt. Built next to Zewail City of Science and Technology University, the hospital will form part of an integrated health and medical research zone and will also welcome student visits for educational and training purposes.

Danjiang Bridge, Taiwan, China, by Zaha Hadid Architects

One of Zaha Hadid Architects’ most ambitious upcoming projects is the Danjiang Bridge, which is set to become the world’s longest single-tower, cable-stayed bridge when completed. The firm was founded by the late Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid, whose portfolio includes some of the world’s most iconic buildings, such as the Guangzhou Opera House in China, the Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan and the London Aquatics Centre in the UK.

Spanning the Tamsui River in Taiwan, the bridge is designed to ease traffic congestion by linking major highways on both sides of the river, diverting vehicles away from smaller local roads and improving regional connectivity.

Shanghai Grand Opera House, China, by Snøhetta

Another building due to open in China this year include Shanghai Grand Opera House, for which Snøhetta, which was founded in Norway, unveiled its design in 2019. The architecture and design firm teamed up with Chinese studio ECADI on its competition-winning design for the Shanghai Grand Opera House.

The building's most prominent feature will be a helical roof that connects to the ground via a spectacular open-air spiral staircase. Snøhetta has designed this to resemble an unfolding fan, evoking "the dynamism of dance and the human body".

The building is reminiscent of the Oslo Opera House completed by the firm in 2008, which also featured a publicly accessible roof that slopes down to meet the waterfront.

Skanderbeg Building, Albania, by MVRDV

Dutch studio MVRDV has begun construction on a mixed-use building in Tirana, Albania, which it has modelled on a bust of the country's prominent historical figure Gjergj Kastrioti. The 85-metre-tall Skanderbeg Building, known formally as Tirana's Rock, was designed by MVRDV to double as "a figurative sculpture" of Kastrioti, a military commander known locally as Skanderbeg who revolted against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.

It is being designed with local architecture firm Sfera Studio.

According to MVRDV's founder Winy Maas, it also emphasises "Albania's history, character, and presence" as the country begins its negotiations to join the European Union.

Elsewhere in the city, the studio will also complete work on Downtown One, which is set to become Albania's new tallest building.

Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi, UAE, by Frank Gehry

Although an official opening date has yet to be announced, speculation is mounting that the long-anticipated Guggenheim Abu Dhabi could finally be completed on Saadiyat Island in 2026. Marking the last major design by American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry who died in 2025, the museum was scheduled to open that same year but construction was still under way as of December.

Its completion would mark the latest addition to the Saadiyat Island’s growing cultural district in the capital, following the opening of major landmarks such as Jean Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum designed by Foster + Partners.

LACMA, USA, by Peter Zumthor

Another of the most anticipated openings of 2026 is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which is set to reopen following an extensive redesign by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. The long, low-slung concrete structure, built on a site where four existing buildings were demolished, has been in development for more than two decades. During a planning consultation in 2019, the project received public backing from Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, who praised Zumthor as a “master of light and shadow”.

Cultural and Spiritual center of Ewé people, Togo / Benin National Parliament, by Kéré Architecture

Fans of Berlin-based Kéré Architecture can expect several of the studio’s projects to open in 2026, including a new cultural centre in Togo. The 7,000-square-metre complex will celebrate the heritage of the Ewé people and will consist of a collection of low-rise buildings, such as temples and an open-air amphitheatre, set within the West African landscape. The studio is also set to complete the National Parliament building in neighbouring Benin.

Founded in 2005 by Burkinabè architect Diébédo Francis Kéré, the firm has delivered a number of high-profile projects in recent years, including the UNESCO Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects. Launched in September 2025, the online museum showcases 600 artefacts that have been stolen or gone missing, drawing on data from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to raise awareness about the global illicit trade in cultural property.

By Nazrin Sadigova