New year, new buildings: 2017's most anticipated openings

A lot can happen in a year, especially in the ever-evolving world of architecture. In 2016, we watched a number of ambitious buildings transform skylines, from the rise of Thailand's tallest tower, MahaNakhon, to the opening of David Adjaye's landmarkNational Museum of African American History and Culturein Washington.

London-based Zaha Hadid Architects brings a sculptural touch to the design of the Napoli-Afragola High Speed Train Station.

With a full lineup of highly anticipated designs on the horizon, 2017 is just as promising. Zaha Hadid Architects' Napoli-Afragola High Speed Train Station is set to redefine rail travel, at least stylistically, with its sculptural white facade that resembles a snake. BIG's vision for LEGO House, meanwhile, pays homage to the famous children's blocks, featuring interlocking modules and tiered terraces.

The Napoli-Afragola High Speed Train Station is finally seeing light at the end of a very long tunnel. When finished, the high-speed line will connect Naples and Rome by rail for the first time.

Meanwhile, a cluster of high-profile museums are slated to open in the new year, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town.

Aiming to be more than just a train station, the design incorporates public spaces, promenades, soothing interiors and lots of natural light. First unveiled in 2003, the train station will have taken nearly 15 years to complete due to several delays.

Scroll through the gallery above for a sneak peek at the structures that will shape 2017.

Originally slated to finish in 2012, the opening of the highly anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi has been pushed back to 2017. Designed by award-winning architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel with a budget of 2.4 billion AED ($653.4 million), the UAE branch of the famous Parisian museum features soft curves and a fresh white facade.

Ateliers Jean Nouvel took inspiration from the area's geography and history. For example, a perforated metal dome covers the museum, spilling soft, calming light into the corridors.

Another architectural marvel from Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the LEGO House team set out to design a building based on the possibilities of the beloved building blocks. The one-of-a-kind building used extra-large LEGO-inspired bricks for the foundation, and created interlocking levels in a modular design.

When finished, the LEGO House aims to be an experiential community center where visitors can enjoy a cafe, family-friendly playgrounds, a public square, and of course, a LEGO store.

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is one of the most ambitious museum projects of 2017. Transforming the historic Grain Silo Complex on the waterfront in Cape Town, MOCAA will stretch across 100,000 square feet, making it one of the largest ever museums to open in Africa.

The Zeitz MOCAA facade comes to life at the hands of London-based Heatherwick Studio. The architects salvaged several historic elements from the building -- including a web of enormous concrete tubes -- that can be seen from the large atrium space.

Emulating the area's undulating hills and tiered tea plantations, the low-rise buildings reach 200 feet and will be used for a mix of public and private purposes, including event spaces, a hotel, and housing.

Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech will be one of two museums to be dedicated to the work of Yves Saint Laurent this year -- with the other opening in Paris. The Marrakech gallery will celebrate the designer's love affair with Morocco, where he had a second home.

Haim Dotan‘‘’s $3.4 million glass bridge is a staggering structure by any measure. But it's not meant to steal the show. It was designed to be an invisible "white bridge disappearing into the clouds," according to a statement.

(CNN)