Here Are the 5 Best Museum Designs of 2015

An aquarium inspired by whirlpools and a sustainable museum built right into the ground are among Architizer's finalists for the 2015 A+ Awards, announced to the public two days ago. The 90+ categories range from parking structures, to religious buidings, to even public parks, but this year one particular bracket caught our eye: museums. Each entry was selected based on form, function, and innovative qualities by a panel of 300 jurors from the architecture industry, but the final voting stage, where Architizer turns to the public to crown a winner in each category, remains open until April 6th. For your consideration, check out this year's best-designed museums:

This aquarium in Kastrup, Denmark takes its inspiration from the shape of a whirlpool.

Porsgrunn, Norway's maritime museum honors its seafaring history by mimicking local architecture.

Part-park, part-building, this Aarhus, Denmark museum is roofed by a beautiful grassy slope.

This sustainable, 20,000 sq. ft. museum in Borticas, Portugal is built into a local hillside.

Reminiscent of the iconic log cabin, the Aspen, Colorado museum effortlessly blends in with the mountain scenery.

Visit Architizer's website to see the rest of the finalists and vote for your favorites.

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