Lublin’s stunning Metropolitan Bus Station was shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious competition, which is often referred to as the Oscars of architecture, alongside Canada’s Port of Montreal Tower, China’s Woven Passage to Cloudy Peaks, Australia’s Preston Level Crossing Removal Project and other breathtaking projects.

Impressing judges with its unique design, functionality, and sustainability features, the World Architecture Festival wrote: “The bus station building–provides examples of activities and solutions that directly and indirectly improve environmental protection and quality.”

According to the station’s designer, Tremend, the station blends eco-friendly design with striking architecture and its minimalist structure is enhanced by decorative openwork pillars, inspired by Lublin’s traditional paper-cut art, resembling vine tendrils that symbolize the city and give the building a sense of lightness.

Costing nearly €80 million, largely funded by EU grants, and taking three years to build, at the station’s opening in January 2024, Lublin Mayor Krzysztof Żuk said: “The Lublin station is our flagship urban investment. We are proud of this modern and ecological facility.”

The station has also already garnered multiple awards and nominations. In 2019, it was shortlisted for the World Building of the Year award in the “Infrastructure” category at the World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam.

It went on to win the 2020 Real Estate Impactor prize for innovative design and the 2022 PLGBC Green Building Award for best ecological project.

The final winners of the World Architecture Festival 2024 will be announced from November 6-8 at a ceremony in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands.