As readers get their chance to have their say in this year's Dezeen Awards public vote, 2026 judge Daniel Libeskind talks to Dezeen about five projects that best represent his approach to design.
The New York-based architect leads his eponymous practice, which works internationally across urban, cultural and commercial projects, as well as social housing.
He was recently named architecture laureate for this year's Praemium Imperiale awards.
"I am an architect, but also a storyteller," Libeskind told Dezeen.
For Libeskind, architecture brings together art, philosophy, music and everyday life, which mirrors his approach to practice.
"I create buildings, public spaces, and neighbourhoods that connect people to history, memory, and the future," he said.
Libeskind's approach to design is also informed by his early musical training, with the architect comparing his body of work to a musical composition.
"There is no single project that I would call the most important," he said.
"It is like asking which note is the most important in a Mozart concerto. No single note carries the composition on its own; it is the relationship between all of them that creates the music. Architecture is much the same."
Libeskind joined industry leaders at the master jury day in London, where judges selected this year's winners from the 392 shortlisted projects.
The public vote is now open, giving readers the chance to choose their own winners before voting closes on 16 October – meaning there is one week left to cast your votes.
Dezeen will announce the public vote winners across its social media channels ahead of the party on 16 November.
Read on to find Libeskind's pick of projects that best represent his work:
Jewish Museum Berlin, Germany, 2001
"This project transformed my career and remains one of the clearest expressions of architecture as narrative.
"It is not simply a museum but a spatial journey through history, memory, absence, and hope. The building demonstrates that architecture can communicate ideas and emotions before a single object is displayed."
Read more about the Jewish Museum Berlin ›
Imperial War Museum North, UK, 2002
"This museum was conceived as a world shattered by conflict and reassembled into fragments. Visitors experience history not as a sequence of dates but as a deeply human story.
"It embodies my belief that architecture should engage both intellect and emotion. It is also a project that lost half its budget, so we built the exact concept with some creative value engineering on time and on budget!"
World Trade Center master plan, USA, 2003
"The rebuilding of Ground Zero was an extraordinary responsibility. The project sought to honour memory while creating a vibrant future for New York.
"It demonstrated that architecture can help heal collective trauma and reaffirm civic values."
Read more about the World Trade Center master plan ›
Museum of Military History, Germany, 2011
"The intervention into the historic arsenal building challenges traditional narratives of military history.
"The dramatic wedge cuts through the existing structure to create new perspectives on conflict, memory, and humanity. It shows how architecture can provoke reflection rather than provide simple answers."
Read more about the Museum of Military History ›
Złota 44, Poland, 2017
"For me, this building represents the optimism and transformation of contemporary Poland.
"Its form captures light, movement, and the dynamic energy of Warsaw. Standing directly opposite Stalin's Palace of Culture and Science, it serves as a counterpoint to the monumentality and authoritarian symbolism of that era.
"As someone born in communist Poland, the project carries a deeply personal significance, embodying the country's journey toward openness, freedom, and a confident future. It demonstrates how architecture can both reflect a society's values and help shape its aspirations."
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Dezeen Awards 2026 in partnership with Trimble
Dezeen Awards is the ultimate accolade for architects and designers worldwide. The ninth edition of the annual awards is in partnership with global technology company Trimble. Through connected hardware and software solutions, Trimble helps designers to transform the way they shape spaces and buildings as well as drive productivity in the process. Trimble's collaboration with Dezeen Awards demonstrates its ongoing commitment to inspiring and supporting creative excellence across the globe.