World Interior of the Year 2018. And the nominees are...

The world's most impressive architectural and interior design projects are going head-to-head to compete in this year'sINSIDE World Festival of Interiors, an annualthree-day event dedicated to celebrating the world's finest interiors.

Five hundred projectsfrom across the globe were entered across nine diverse categories, ranging from hotels, bars and restaurants to residential homes and commercial buildings across the health and education sector, and now the awards have announced their shortlist of the best 77 projects –including aLego house, transparent pharmacy and Orient Express train carriage, all competingto be crowned World Interior of the Year 2018.

The overall winner won't be announced until the 30th November, but in the meantime here are 10 of Livingetc's favourites designs in with a chance of winning.

1. Belmond Venice-Simplon Orient Express

Who said train journeys can't be glamorous? The Orient Expressis synonymous with Art Deco glamour, and the recently updated carriages byWATG and Wimberly Interiors (also competing in the Civic, Culture & Transport category) are simply fabulous.Wimberly Interiors renovated three ultra-luxurious private suites aboard the train. Drawing inspiration from the heritage and style of each of the destinations the train weaves through – Paris, Venice, and Istanbul – Wimberly Interiors has used ornate detailing, hand-beaded embroidery and lavish fabrics to reflect each city’s unique character.

2. The Department Store, London

Offices and co-working spaces are getting increasingly stylish, as this project by Squire and Partners attests. Known for their edgy, urban designs, their latest project is an ex-warehouse co-working space by Ministry of Sound.

(Image credit: James Jones)

3. Nocenco Cafe, Vinh, Vietnam

Competing for the Creative Re-Use title, the Nocenco cafe byVTN Architects (Vo Trong Nghia Architects) showcases clever design that blurs the indoors and out.This renovation project includes a café on the rooftop of a 7-floor middle-rise concrete building which has been transformed into a local landmark in the city centre of Vinh City, north of Vietnam. Unlike other post-war buildings in the local area, bamboo has been used extensively throughout the café and to the exterior of the existing building due to its accessibility, weight and durability as a building material.

(Image credit: Trieuchien)

4. Interloop, Sydney, Australia

Australian practice, Studio Chris Fox, has been shortlisted in the Display category for their innovative ‘Interloop’ design, which sits above the main entrance of Wynard station, Sydney. Made from re-used 1930s OTIS escalator treads, the Interloop measures more than 50 metres in length, weighs more than five tonnes, and weaves in 244 wooden treads and four combs from the original escalators. You don't get more Instagrammable escalators than this.

5. Jurong Library, Ju Rong, China

Competing in the Civic, Culture & Transport category, the hyper-organised and linearBeijing Fenghemuchen Space Design for theJurong Library is an OCD dream.

6.Armadale Residence, Melbourne, Australia

Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors have seriously upped the ante on modern kitchen designwith this stylish brass number.

7. Hisvahan Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey

When it comes to travel, we're certainly not short of designer destinations, and now we can ad the Hisvhan Hotel to our bucket list.

8. Dharmawangsa House, Jakarta, Indonesia

With that to-die for glass pool, this contemporary new build in Indonesia by Genius Loci looks like it's come straight out of The World's Most Extraordinary Homes.

(Image credit: FernandoGomulya)

9. Playland, Taipei, Taiwan

Believe it or not, this sculptural design – byWei Yi international design associates – is for a residential home.

10. Australian Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand

Also competing in theCivic, Culture & Transport category, this embassy design by BVN is clearly inspired by the calming effects of water.

(Image credit: John Gollings)