Photo by Emre Drter Photography

This Turkish-led turnkey design-build project was finished in 2011 in just five months for the Assembly of the African Union, leaders from 60 member nations. The 148,000-sq-ft structure's highlight is the "shimmering metal screen that veils its glazed facade in a curtain of geometric filigree," said Architectural Record.

Virtually all materials were imported, and labor was 95% Turkish; tropical illness and locals' lack of safety knowledge were problems faced. To speed work, design and structural steel manufacture were concurrent, and most of the interior package was prefabricated. "Building fast-paced complex projects in developed regions is a challenge," said one judge. "To do so in Equatorial Guinea is a major accomplishment."

Location Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Project Team

Owner GE Proyectos, Malabo

Architect Tabanlioglu Architects, Istanbul

General Contractor/CM SUMMA-Onur Construction JV, Istanbul

Engineers Emir Engineering, Istanbul (structural); D&T Engineering Contracting, Istanbul (MEP)

Structural Steel Subcontractor Modul, Celik, Yapi Ve Petrol, Istanbul