As we step into 2025, there are a lot of exciting new architecture projects ahead. Four incredible projects opening this year have really caught my eye and are sure to make a big impact on the architecture scene.
Fenix Museum of Migration – Mad Architects
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Image 1: Fenix Museum of Migration, Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://fenix.nl/en/fenix-warehouse/
The first project on this list is the FENIX Museum of Migration, designed by Mad Architects in Rotterdam. FENIX is the world’s first museum dedicated to exploring migration through art. It tells stories of love and loss, of finding a place to call home, of navigating identity, and the universal quest for happiness. Set within a historic harbor warehouse, it stands at the very heart of Rotterdam’s legacy as a city of arrivals and departures. FENIX will open its doors on May 16, 2025.
The FENIX Museum of Migration is a renovation of the Fenixhallen, once Europe’s largest warehouse. A standout feature is the ‘Tornado,’ a striking viewpoint with a 3D-curved glass roof, offering breathtaking views of the Rijnhaven. Visitors can reach the observation deck via a cylindrical glass lift or hiking trails.
The roof consists of 255 unique glass panels, all designed using advanced parametric design. This approach allowed architects to balance aesthetic ambition with technical feasibility, ensuring the roof’s complex shape met both structural and production requirements. IFS Building Systems played a big role in realizing this innovative and visually stunning design.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi – Frank Gehry
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Image 2: Render of the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi. Retrieved January 19, 2025, from https://www.dezeen.com/2021/10/08/frank-gehry-guggenheim-abu-dhabi-2025/
The second project on this list is the long-awaited Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi, designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, this museum will be part of an area known for having one of the highest concentrations of cultural experiences in the world. The district is already home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, and Berklee Abu Dhabi, and will be future home to the Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Showcasing modern art from the 1960s to the present, the new Guggenheim Museum is set to open in 2025, nearly 20 years after the plans were unveiled and 14 years after construction first began.
The Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi will be the largest of all Guggenheim museums. It will cover about 30,000 square meters. The galleries will be spread across four levels, all connected by glass bridges, with a central atrium. The museum will have 13,000 square meters of gallery space. Additionally, eleven large cone-shaped structures will provide extra exhibition areas, where visitors can see unique artworks created specifically for the museum by well-known contemporary artists. Frank Gehry describes the design as "intentionally messy, moving into clarity." The museum will also include an education center and a 350-seat theater, hosting lectures, music, theater, film screenings, and other live events.
After years of delays—the museum was originally set to open in 2014—there is renewed hope that 2025 will finally be the year the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi welcomes visitors. With its bold design and vast exhibition spaces, it promises to be a cultural landmark well worth the wait.
Anji Culture and Art Center– MAD Architects
Anji, China
Image 3: Render of the Anji Culture and Art Center. Retrieved January 19, 2025, from https://www.archdaily.com/1006991/mad-architects-unveils-contextual-design-for-anji-culture-and-art-center-in-southeast-china
Led by Ma Yansong, MAD Architects has designed the Anji Culture and Art Center in the Zhejiang Province, southeast China. The center covers about 149,000 square meters and includes six different spaces: a Grand Theater and Conference centers for conferences, leisures, sports, youth activities and art education. The design features roofs inspired by bamboo leaves, which connect to the local area, known as the "bamboo and white tea" town of China. Construction has already started, and the center is expected to open by 2025. The design blends modern architecture with traditional cultural elements, creating a unique space for both art and community activities.
The Anji Culture and Art Center’s design features white-tiled roofs that form a shape similar to the surrounding hills, known for their Anji white tea. The building includes courtyards between its sections, offering peaceful spaces and letting in natural light. On the west side, a large outdoor stage is designed for performances and events. The project also focuses on sustainability, using eco-friendly features like permeable pavements, green roofs, and rainwater collection.
The building’s façade is made of transparent glass, allowing plenty of natural light to enter. The Grand Theater and Conference Center have spacious interiors with high ceilings, while other areas use a second-floor layout to maximize space. The Grand Theater can seat 1,300 people, and the Conference Center can hold up to 2,000.
Wadden Sea World Heritage Center - Dorte Mandrup
Lauwersoog, The Netherlands
Image 4: Render of the Sea World Heritage Center by Dorte Mandrup. Retrieved January 20, 2025, from https://dortemandrup.dk/work/wadden-sea-world-heritage-center-netherlands
The fourth and last project on this list is the Wadden Sea World Heritage Center in Lauwersoog. The Wadden Sea World Heritage Center is both a tribute to Lauwersoog’s maritime past and a modern addition to the area. Its spiral design reflects the movement of the tides, gradually leading visitors up to a breathtaking 360-degree view of the sea, Lauwersmeer, and the surrounding landscape.
This center is the final piece in Dorte Mandrup’s Wadden Sea trilogy, following projects in Denmark and Germany. The Wadden Sea, a UNESCO-listed tidal region, stretches across three countries and is home to over 10,000 species, including seals and migratory birds. A dedicated Seal Center within the building helps rescue and care for injured seals.
More than a museum, the center is a research hub where scientists and students study the local ecosystem. The wooden design blends seamlessly with nature, in which visitors can explore interactive exhibits on climate and wildlife.. At the top, guests can observe the seal rehabilitation pools or enjoy the shifting horizon where sea and sky meet.
Set to open in April 2025, the Wadden Sea World Heritage Center will soon welcome visitors to experience this unique landscape up close.
With these four museums opening in 2025, there’s a lot to look forward to. Each one brings something unique, whether it’s bold architecture, a new way of experiencing art, or a deeper connection to its surroundings. It’s exciting to see these projects come to life, and I hope you enjoyed this list. Be sure to check out the individual projects for more information and to see how they’ll influence the cultural scene in the years ahead.