Design-gasm, Passport Edition

Teshima Art Museum (Japan)By Ryue Nishizawa
"This drop-shaped structure hugs the hills of one of the islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It?s only one large space, 40 by 60 meters, with an incredibly subtle art piece made out of slowly moving water drops by artist Rei Naito. My favorite space not just of last year, but of the last years." Benesse-Artsite.jp/en

Ring Around a Tree (Japan)By Tezuka Architects
"An addition to their circular kindergarten, Tezuka created a small structure around a tree with two spaces. The ceilings are so low that it can only be accessed by the kids. It becomes their personal hangout spot." Tezuka-Arch.com

Steilneset Memorial (Norway)By Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois
"High above the artic circle this memorial commemorates suspected witches who were burned at the stake there in the 17th century. I love the vulnerability of the structure, made out of fabric and simple wooden beams that refer to drying racks for fish." NasjonaleTuristveger.no

Kukje Gallery (Korea)By So-Il
"What could have been a simple white box will be covered under a veil made of handcrafted metal chain-link. Somehow, the rings remind me of something that you would only refer to in a gay magazine?" KukjeGallery.com

BMW Guggenheim Lab (Berlin)By Atelier Bow-Wow
"Our own project is getting ready for its second stop in Berlin where it will be placed in vibrant Kreuzberg. It?s a hyper-flexible structure that redefines both public space as well as architecture. And on top of that, it?s the first building made of carbon-fiber." BMWGuggenheimLab.org

Cit? de l?Océan et du Surf Museum (Biarritz, France)By Steven Holl
"Located directly on the southeastern coast of France, this museum was built to celebrate ocean life. Holl has created a generous outdoor space into the landscape." StevenHoll.com

Bubble at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Washington, DC)By Diller Scofidio + Renfro
"Yet another circular building. This time, a temporary addition -- an inflatable bubble -- that will be used twice a year for events in the central space of the 1974 Hirshhorn building." Hirshhorn.SI.edu

1111 Lincoln Road (Miami)By Herzog & de Meuron
"Unevenly placed thin floor plates and dramatic views over South Beach make this parking garage the ultimate celebration of the Miami driving experience." 1111Lincolnroad.com

Metropol Parasol (Seville, Spain)By Jürgen Mayer H.
"This mixed-use structure is a cultural center with a timber canopy that forms an excellent contemporary juxtaposition to the historic urban fabric. JMayerH.de

House BM at M (Belgium)"A house that blends in with the landscape perfectly. Situated in a forested area in Belgium. Not one tree was removed. The house here becomes part of the woods. A circular design with a series of rooms." Architectendvvt.com