The award is supported by many luminaries in the architectural and cultural fields including Sir David Adjaye, Renzo Piano, Ferran Adria, Alondra de la Parra and Phillipe Stark. The criteria applied by the judges encompass innovation, creativity, reflection of local, natural and cultural heritage, and ecological efficiency, as well as the values of social interaction and participation which the United Nations holds in high regard. Winning projects are viewed as a testimonial to extraordinary architecture and de¬sign. They are tributes to the retail and hospitality sectors as a living expression of successful synergy between the economy and culture.