Dezeen promotion: a weathering-steel temple, marble-patterned tables and a pivoting glass door are among the 18 winners of this year's AZ Awards for architecture and design (+ slideshow).

Organised by contemporary design magazine Azure, the 2016 AZ Awards recognises exemplary architecture, interiors and design projects completed in 2015.

A jury that included Chris Wilkinson of British architecture firm Wilkinson Eyre and Thomas L Woltz of US studio Nelson Byrd Woltz selected 66 finalists from 826 submissions from 52 countries. before choosing the 18 winners.

Chinese studio Neri&Hu was awarded the prize for Best Commercial Interior for the design of fashion brand Comme Moi's first flagship store, which featured custom-made metal rails and cage-like cabinets.

Brazilian office Studio MK27's SP-Penthouse in São Paulo was bestowed with Best Residential Interior, while Shim-Sutcliffe Architects' concrete and weathering-steel temple in Toronto won Best Architecture Under 1,000 Square Metres.

The prize-winning design projects include Davide Groppi's light fittings that references the work of sculptor Alexander Calder and Canadian design studio Moss & Lam's marbled W1 tables.

Each winner received a trophy designed by Omer Arbel of Vancouver glass brand Bocci, who was also a member of this year's jury. The full list of winning projects, including the 66 shortlisted finalists, is available on the AZ Awards website.

Read on for more information from Azure:

AZ Awards 2016

The AZ Awards, Azure's annual international competition that recognises the very best in design and architecture, received a phenomenal 826 submissions from 52 countries for its 2016 edition. From that impressive number, 18 winners have been selected.

Elite players from the international architectural and design community, some from as far away as Belgium and China, came together at Toronto's historic Evergreen Brick Works as Azure revealed the winners of its sixth annual AZ Awards. Along with the accolades, the established and emerging talents walked away with a stunning trophy designed by Omer Arbel of Vancouver's Bocci, and member of this year's distinguished jury.

Now in its sixth year, the AZ Awards – Canada's only international, multi-disciplinary design competition – is recognised for attracting top players in the fields of architecture and design.

Open to designers, architects, firms, manufacturers and students, the AZ Awards programme cultivates the most innovative, dynamic and thought-provoking projects and products from across the globe.

The 2016 jury was made up of five international heavy-weights: architect Chris Wilkinson of WiliknsonEyre (London, UK), interior designer Anna Simone of Cecconi Simone (Toronto, Canada), landscape architect Thomas L. Woltz of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (Charlottesville, US); architect John Tong of +tongtong (Toronto, Canada); and designer Omer Arbel of Bocci (Vancouver, Canada).

Earlier this spring, the distinguished panel met in Toronto to vet, debate and draft a shortlist of 66 finalists from the 826 contenders. From there, they selected the 18 ultimate winners.

In April, following the announcement of the finalists, the public was invited to vote online for their favourites as the People's Choice. To view the full list of 18 jury winners, 66 finalists and People's Choice winners, visit azuremagazine.com.

About Azure

Canada's leading contemporary design magazine, Azure is one of a handful of influential design titles worldwide. The independent magazine enjoys a growing subscriber base and can be found on newsstands across Canada, the US, Europe and Asia.

Each issue consistently delivers lively, visually engaging, forward-looking and socially relevant coverage of contemporary design. Azure profiles designers and architects from around the world; brings its readers breaking news on interior products and trends; showcases smart paradigm-breaking residential and commercial projects; and investigates design issues related to our changing society.

Azure is an indispensable source of information and ideas for architects and designers as well as design-savvy consumers. The publication continues to garner awards for its overall excellence and high standards for visual and written content.

The 2016 AZ Awards is presented by Audi, Keilhauer, and Rado, and sponsored by Cosentino, TD Bank Group, Urban Capital, George Brown School of Design, CRH Canada Group and Alpi.

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