30 of the most impressive new buildings in the world

Architecture is important. It constitutes our built habitat, and when done well, it has the power to improve lives.

The Royal Institute of British Architects thinks that's worth celebrating, and has commissioned the first annual edition of their global architecture award, called The RIBA International Prize.

30 buildings around the world have been shortlisted for the new prize, and the selection committee will visit each building this summer to whittle it down to six finalists. The grand jury will visit those in the fall and announce the final winner in December.

Two of the finalists were designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the firm of the late architecture legend Zaha Hadid.

From Singapore to New York, these are the 30 best new buildings in the world, according to RIBA.