Two airports and two rail projects have been recognised among the top transport developments at the 2026 Architizer A+Awards, highlighting a growing global focus on transport hubs that combine architecture, sustainability and passenger experience.
The annual awards reviewed more than 4,000 entries from around the world and were judged by more than 250 experts across architecture, design, technology, art and real estate, alongside an international public vote. The winning projects included Techo International Airport in Cambodia, Maxcanu Station in Mexico, Line 5 Eglinton in Toronto and two stations on Montreal’s REM rail network.
The results reflect a wider shift in transport design, where airports and railway stations are increasingly being developed as destination spaces rather than only transit points. Many of the winning projects emphasise natural light, local identity, climate-sensitive architecture and intuitive passenger movement.
Techo International Airport, located near Phnom Penh in Cambodia, received the jury prize in the transport category. Designed by Foster + Partners, the airport features a wave-shaped roof supported by tree-like columns standing 36 metres high.
The terminal was designed to maximise filtered natural light while protecting passengers from the tropical climate. The architecture also incorporates elements inspired by traditional Cambodian design and forms part of a larger airport city development located around 20 kilometres from the capital.
According to the project details, the airport is surrounded by green landscapes and powered almost entirely by solar energy. The first phase is expected to handle 13 million passengers annually, with future expansion planned to increase capacity to 30 million travellers.
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The public vote winner in the transport category was Maxcanu Station, created by GI21 Arquitectura for Mexico’s Maya Train network in the Yucatan peninsula. Located around 65 kilometres from Merida, the station was designed to connect visitors with the local landscape and cultural heritage.
The architecture uses warm red colours inspired by the historic buildings of Maxcanu and incorporates forms linked to Maya art and traditional courtyards. Waiting areas feature prefabricated grilles influenced by local textile patterns, creating shifting light effects intended to resemble jungle vegetation.
The project also includes a contemplative garden planted with native species to improve passenger comfort. Designers adapted the station to regional geological conditions, including cenotes and archaeological discoveries uncovered during construction.
In the transport interiors category, the jury prize went to Line 5 Eglinton in Toronto, designed by Arcadis. The 19-kilometre transit line connects the eastern and western parts of the city through 15 underground stations, 10 surface stops and two multimodal transport terminals.
The design focused on clarity, accessibility and simple navigation rather than monumental architecture. Transparent facades, broad canopies and clearly marked routes were introduced to create a more intuitive passenger experience across the network.
The public vote in the interiors category was shared by Edouard-Montpetit and McGill stations on Montreal’s REM system. The projects were designed by Bisson Fortin, Perkins&Will and Lemay.
Edouard-Montpetit Station, located 72 metres below Mount Royal, is described as the deepest station in Canada. The station connects Montreal’s REM network with the city’s Blue Line metro and includes the artwork Le mont habite by Manuel Mathieu.
McGill Station, located in downtown Montreal, links the REM network with the Green Line, the Underground City and major shopping districts. Both stations use interior colour schemes inspired by the St Lawrence River and Mount Royal to create a calm and intuitive travel environment.
The 2026 Architizer A+Awards demonstrate how airports and railway stations are evolving beyond transport infrastructure into public spaces that reflect local culture, sustainability goals and passenger wellbeing.
