Populous Projects Recognized on the Global Stage in 2025

This year’s International Architecture Awards, presented by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre, recognized multiple Populous projects in a global field of more than 1,200 entries. From the copper-clad grandeur of BMO Centre in Calgary, to the industrial-inspired expression of GEODIS Park in Nashville, each project reflects the firm’s continued pursuit of human-centered design. Other honorees include Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. Together, these projects represent Populous’ design leadership across North America and Asia.

The Chicago Athenaeum also presented the American Architecture Awards, recognizing outstanding work by U.S.-based firms across North America. Among more than 600 shortlisted projects, BMO Centre was selected as the Exposition Winner, placing it within a highly competitive group of approximately 200 award recipients. Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center also received an Honorable Mention, further highlighting the breadth of Populous’ work recognized at the national level.

In Kansas City, Populous was also recognized by AIA Kansas City across several disciplines. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Osborne Legacy Complex received a Citation Award for XL Architecture, while the TD Lounge at Rogers Centre earned a Citation Award for Interior Architecture. FLOAT–Montreal Design Competition received an Honor Award for Conceptual/Unbuilt. Together, these honors represent the range of work supported by Populous’ headquarters and its connection to communities across the region and beyond.

At the World Architecture News (WAN) Awards, BMO Centre was shortlisted for Publicly Accessible Buildings, while Climate Pledge Arena won Gold for Overall Sustainable Architecture. Aramco Stadium earned Silver for Future Projects in Leisure, further underscoring the firm’s global reputation for sustainability and forward-thinking design.

In the UK, the firm’s work on the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester was recognized by Architect’s Journal as the 2025 Leisure Project of the Year in their prestigious annual awards, with judges praising this “extraordinary piece of architecture” for its “sense of immediacy and intimacy.”

At the World Architecture Festival 2025, the world’s largest live-judged architecture awards program, Populous projects were shortlisted across multiple categories. Co-op Live in Manchester was again recognized in both the Culture and Interiors categories. Kai Tak Sports Park and Kansai International Airport’s Terminal 1 earned shortlistings for Sport and Transport respectively, reinforcing the firm’s global expertise in complex, high-performance environments.

Fentress Studios, A Populous Company, was also recognized at WAF, with George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Mickey Leland International Terminal D, shortlisted in the Completed Buildings – Transport category.

The International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA) honored Kai Tak Sports Park with a Platinum Award for Sports and Recreation, while The Venetian Arena in Macau received Platinum for Performing Arts Spaces. Both venues exemplify Populous’ ability to design large-scale destinations that merge culture, identity and experience. Kansai International Airport also earned recognition for its revitalized Terminal 1, named among the Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airports.

Populous’ design culture extends beyond architecture into the realms of interiors, branding and experience design. The SEGD Global Design Awards honored both Homefield Kansas City and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Osborne Legacy Complex for immersive environmental storytelling, while Communication Arts recognized Synovus Park for excellence in visual communication.

At the World Interior News (WIN) Awards, BMO Centre was shortlisted for Publicly Accessible Interiors in the Civic category, highlighting the project’s integration of architectural and interior excellence.

The MONDO-DR Awards also recognized Populous’ commitment to innovation, naming Co-op Live the winner in the Sustainability category.

Across continents and disciplines, Populous teams are shaping the future of how people gather and belong. These global honors celebrate both great design and the reason behind it: drawing people together. Interested in working with us? Check out our careers page.