On 6 December we launched the first ever Icon Awards at an Awards evening for all our nominees, where the winners were announced and presented with their trophies. It was a great evening and our guests enjoyed Ketel One cocktails, Asahi beer and canapés from Ginger Jar Food.

Watch Thomas Heatherwick, winner of our Icon of the Year Award, which thousands of you voted for both in person and online, accept his special version of the trophy in his King’s Cross Studio.

Zaha Hadid has built an imposing cultural centre on the outskirts of Montpellier, which hopes to help to revive a down-at-heel suburb.

The January issue is a special edition. This month we launch the first-ever Icon Awards, celebrating the best international architecture, design, technology and culture of the past year. Icon 115: The Awards Issue, is devoted to the nominees and winners of our ten categories, and includes an interview with Thomas Heatherwick, winner of our Icon of the Year Award.

Last night the winners of the first Icon Awards were handed bespoke trophies designed by London-based New Zealander Phil Cuttance. Read more about the trophy design here and pick up a copy of the special Icon Awards issue on Saturday to discover all the winners.

Ten years on from his Idea Stores in London, David Adjaye attempts a similarly optimistic civic architecture in two projects in Washington DC.

This month, the Royal College of Art celebrates 175 years with an exhibition of its star-studded alumni, collectible Shiro Kuramata works go on show in Gent, the Museum of Finnish Architecture displays unbuilt proposals for

Helsinki and Snarkitecture design a pavilion of air-filled tubes for Design Miami.