As technology evolves, so do the accessories that enhance the functionality and experience of our favorite devices. March 2025 has brought a slew of innovative Apple accessories that promise to redefine how we use our iPhones, iPads, and AirPods. From transforming your smartphone into a professional filmmaking powerhouse to creating a floating workstation for your iPad – these accessories are designed to elevate your tech experience. These ten best accessories exemplify the best of what March 2025 has to offer for enhancing your Apple devices. From filmmaking to audio enhancement and ergonomic design – these products cater to a variety of needs and preferences, ensuring there’s something for every Apple enthusiast. Dive in, and choose your arsenal of nifty accessories that will make your Apple experience an even better one! 1. CINEMA//Mobile The CINEMA//Mobile lens system is designed to completely transform the way filmmakers and content creators use their iPhones, offering Hollywood-caliber optics and professional-grade filters. Developed through an exciting collaboration between TUSK, a collective of award-winning filmmakers, and ShiftCam, a leader in mobile lens technology, CINEMA//Mobile brings a comprehensive suite of lenses to your fingertips. This system includes seven distinct lenses, such as anamorphic lenses for widescreen cinematic shots, telephoto lenses for extended reach, and wide-angle lenses for expansive scenes. It also features eight versatile filters with magnetic and stackable capabilities, allowing for seamless transitions between shots. The result is a powerful tool that enables filmmakers to capture professional-quality footage without the need for bulky equipment. Click Here to Buy Single Lens Now: $199 $299 ($100 off). Hurry, only 9/40 left! Raised over $137,000. What we like Offers professional-grade lenses and filters, enhancing your iPhone’s filming capabilities. Easy to use with magnetic and stackable filters for quick changes during shoots. What we dislike May have a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with advanced photography techniques. The full kit might be pricey for casual users. 2. Miatone Magboom Mini The Miatone MagBoom Mini is a compact, magnetic speaker that attaches to the back of your iPhone using MagSafe technology. This innovative accessory turns your smartphone into a portable entertainment system by delivering clear and powerful audio, significantly enhancing your device’s native sound capabilities. It is slightly larger than a coffee pod, and it seamlessly integrates with your iPhone, providing an elevated audio experience without sacrificing portability. With a 3W output, the MagBoom Mini is designed to fill a room with sound, making it perfect for social gatherings or personal use. Its sleek design and easy attachment ensure that you can take your entertainment wherever you go. What we like Enhances audio quality and volume for a better entertainment experience. Compact and portable, making it easy to carry and use anywhere. What we dislike 3W output may not satisfy those seeking extremely high audio power. Battery life could be a concern during extended use.  3. MOFT Dynamic Folio The MOFT Dynamic Folio is a groundbreaking iPad case that reimagines how you interact with your device, offering an unparalleled level of versatility and functionality. Unlike traditional cases, the Dynamic Folio is designed to elevate and angle your iPad for optimal use, providing multiple positions for sketching, typing, and viewing. This accessory is a game-changer for creators and professionals who rely on their iPads for productivity and creativity. Made from MOFT’s proprietary vegan leather alternative, MOVAS, and reinforced with a fiberglass core, the Dynamic Folio is both lightweight and durable, ensuring long-lasting performance. Its innovative design allows you to transform your iPad into a floating workspace, enhancing productivity and creativity by providing ergonomic support. Click Here to Buy Now: $34 $39 (13% off). Hurry, only 1/300 left! Raised over $253,000. What we like Offers multiple angles and heights for the ergonomic use of your iPad. Lightweight and stylish, making it easy to carry and use anywhere. What we dislike Might require some practice to master its various folding techniques. May not provide as much protection as bulkier iPad cases. 4. Nomad Rocky Point Band Elevate your Apple Watch’s functionality with the Nomad Rocky Point Band, crafted from FKM fluoroelastomer rubber renowned for its durability and tear resistance. This strap is specifically designed to endure the toughest outdoor conditions, making it perfect for adventure enthusiasts. Featuring Grade 5 titanium components, it provides both a secure fit and a sophisticated look. The band boasts a 100% waterproof design, complemented by ventilation grooves that ensure comfort and practicality, keeping your wrist cool even during intense activities. Compatible with a wide array of Apple Watch models, this band is ideal for those seeking a dependable, and sturdy strap that matches their adventurous lifestyle. What we like Constructed from durable, tear-resistant material, perfect for rugged environments. Waterproof and breathable design, suitable for all-weather use. What we dislike May not offer the style versatility needed for formal occasions. Titanium hardware can add to the band’s overall weight. 5. iPhone 17 Case This hilarious iPhone case is a playful accessory designed to give your phone the appearance of the yet-to-be-released iPhone 17. This fun and affordable case mimics the design of Apple’s upcoming model, complete with a camera bar and MagSafe cutout, providing a conversation starter among tech enthusiasts. With its cleverly designed structure, this case turns heads but also adds a touch of humor to your tech collection. While the case’s camera bar is purely cosmetic, it offers a small storage space for cash or photos, making it both amusing and slightly functional. Priced at just USD 3.3, this case is available for iPhones as old as the iPhone 11. What we like Affordable and widely compatible with older iPhone models. Provides a unique and entertaining look, sparking conversations. What we dislike The camera bar is purely decorative and offers no functional benefits. Made from basic materials, offering minimal protection for your device. 6.Bionic Magnetic Charging Stand The Bionic Magnetic Charging Stand is designed to make charging your AirPods Max a seamless and intuitive experience. This innovative accessory redefines convenience and style, offering a dedicated charging solution that complements the design of your premium headphones. Featuring strong magnets that securely align your headphones for charging, the stand eliminates the need for awkward setups or second-guessing connections. Its elegant structure fits effortlessly into any space, whether it’s your desk or bedside table, adding a touch of sophistication to your environment. Crafted with the same attention to detail as your AirPods Max, the stand ensures that your headphones are always ready for use, perfectly integrating form and function. What we like Provides a secure and efficient charging solution for AirPods Max. Sleek design that complements the aesthetic of premium headphones. What we dislike Limited to AirPods Max users only. Might be considered an unnecessary expense for those content with traditional charging methods. 7. PenPad The PenPad is a cutting-edge wireless accessory crafted to enhance your Procreate app experience on the iPad. This elegant device connects seamlessly via Bluetooth and includes 22 concave buttons strategically arranged for intuitive use. With the PenPad, tasks such as viewing layers, toggling the selection tool, and executing cut, copy, and paste commands are effortlessly accomplished with a single press. This streamlined functionality enables you to concentrate on your creative work without the distraction of navigating the app’s interface. Available in both Black and White, the PenPad functions like a wireless keyboard, significantly boosting workflow efficiency for artists and designers who depend on Procreate for their creative projects. What we like Boosts productivity by providing quick access to Procreate tools. Wireless connectivity allows for greater freedom of movement. What we dislike Compatibility is limited to the Procreate app. Users may need time to adjust to the button layout. 8. Flexbar Flexbar transforms your interaction with technology by extending the convenience of the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar to a broader audience. This adaptable 10-inch touchscreen strip is tailored for power users, streamers, gamers, and content creators, providing a fully customizable interface to manage complex workflows efficiently. Whether you’re editing videos in Adobe Premiere or managing OBS layouts during streaming, Flexbar adjusts to your specific requirements, ensuring you remain focused and in control. Its compact and portable design allows for seamless plug-and-play integration with desktops, laptops, iPads, iPhones, and even MacBook Pros, making it a versatile tool across multiple platforms. What we like Provides a customizable interface suitable for a diverse range of applications and users. Compatible with both Windows and Mac systems for seamless operation. What we dislike May require time to customize and become proficient in its use. Introduces an additional component to your setup, which might not suit those preferring a minimalist setup. 9. AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap Say hello to the AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap – a nifty accessory that seamlessly blends durability, functionality, and elegance. With this strap, you can keep your beloved AirPods secure and readily accessible, transforming them into a chic necklace that you can wear comfortably around your neck – you don’t need to fear losing them! The strap is equipped with a patented magnetic lock that firmly secures the earbuds, ensuring peace of mind against loss. Available in a variety of colors such as Panther Black, Daisy Yellow, and Midnight Blue, you can choose the hue that best complements your personal style. This neck strap offers both style and practicality, providing the perfect combination for AirPods users. Click Here to Buy Now: $39.00 What we like Fashion-forward design with multiple color choices to match your aesthetic. A patented magnetic lock keeps your AirPods secure, preventing accidental loss. What we dislike May not be ideal for those who favor a minimalist look. 10. MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 Discover a new realm of health tracking with the Sennheiser Momentum Sport Earbuds. Beyond delivering outstanding audio quality, these earbuds are equipped with PPG heart rate and body temperature sensors that sync effortlessly with your Apple Watch to monitor essential health statistics. Compatible with popular fitness apps like Garmin Connect and Strava, they’re designed to fit seamlessly into your fitness regimen. With an IP55 rating for sweat and water resistance, these earbuds are built to withstand intense workouts, while adaptive listening modes offer superior sound tailored to your surroundings. Perfect for fitness enthusiasts, they allow you to monitor health metrics without compromising on audio quality. What we like Offers a blend of superior audio quality and advanced health tracking features. Sweat and water-resistant, ensuring durability during intense physical activities. What we dislike May need frequent recharging with extensive use. The accuracy of heart rate and temperature readings can vary. The post 10 Best Apple Accessories Of March 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

3D art of the week: Sergio Khazov.

These off-piste snowboarding sunglasses give you a (very) little piece of that White Lotus mystique.

“How do we navigate this new uncertain climate?”

Macworld There have been escalating fears in recent days that iPhones could go up in price as a result of the huge tariffs imposed on China by President Trump. Most of Apple’s smartphones are manufactured in China, and some analysts have speculated that the additional levies could push up prices by more than 40 percent—which has led to some panic buying. But a new report offers hope that this might not happen. A new investor note by analysts at Morgan Stanley (seen by AppleInsider) proposes a raft of measures by which Apple could weather the effects of the tariffs without raising prices, and while remaining profitable. As proposed elsewhere, Apple could ramp up production in India, which produces 30 to 40 million iPhones per year and faces far lower tariffs than China. Morgan Stanley then proposes Apple could push customers towards the more expensive models with more storage, which have a higher profit margin and are thus better equipped to absorb the effects of tariffs. Neither of these are easy solutions, and both are strategies Apple has already attempted. It would be more a question of accelerating existing plans rather than starting entirely new ones. Apple has been working to diversify its supply chain for some time, partly in light of human-rights concerns over Chinese factories, but doing so is a slow process. (It also makes a few iPhones in Brazil to satisfy local demand; sources suggest that could also increase.) On the storage upsell side, Apple did something similar in 2023 when it launched the iPhone 15 Pro Max at an entry-level price of $1,199 with 256GB of storage, compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s starting at $1,099 with 128GB. It was thus the “same price” gigabyte for gigabyte while requiring customers to spend more as a minimum, thus increasing the iPhone’s average selling price. That’s a win for Apple—especially since storage margins are much higher than handset margins. Whether Apple would raise minimum storage allocations or merely focus its marketing on pushing customers toward the 512GB and 1TB configurations is uncertain at this point. Morgan Stanley also acknowledges one other option, which does involve raising prices but would make this more palatable for customers by introducing longer-term finance options and talking up carrier deals at the iPhone 17 launch event. These aren’t the only strategies, of course. Apple could just take the short-term hit to its profits, or appeal to the president for an exemption. If you’d like to read more about the company’s options, take a look at How Apple can handle Trump’s tariffs.

The US Department of Defense is scaling back its reliance on IT consultants. In a new directive signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the DoD has ordered the cancellation of several contracts with firms including Accenture, Deloitte, and Booz Allen Hamilton, citing them as “wasteful spending.” Using the X account, Hegseth shared details in a video post titled – “New @DOGE findings, this time it’s $5.1 billion.” “We’re signing a memo right now directing the termination of $5.1 billion in DoD contracts. for ancillary things like consulting and other non-essential services,” Hegseth said in the video. “Here’s a few examples. DHA contracts for consulting services from Accenture, Deloitte, Booz Allen, and other firms. They’re going to save the department $1.8 billion.” Other impacted contracts include – a software reseller contract for enterprise cloud IT services, that will save the department $1.4 billion. Another one was the $500 million Navy contract for business process consulting. “For the administrative office in the Bureau of Medicine, by the way, we need this money to spend on better health care for our warfighters and our families, instead of $500 an hour business process consultant,” he added. Another contract that Hegseth highlighted was a DARPA contract for IT help desk services that are completely duplicative with services already provided by DISA workforce, saving the department another $500 million. On the DEI front, the memo terminated 11 more contracts on DEI climate, COVID-19 response, and related non-essential activities across the department. According to a report, the Air Force’s contract with Accenture to “re-sell third-party Enterprise Cloud IT Services,” was also chopped, which Hegseth stated that the government can “already fulfill directly with existing procurement resources.” The details of where the projected money would go to has not been revealed yet. Accenture, Deloitte, Booz Allen did not respond to request for comments on the development. Concerns for IT consultancy firms The DoD memo raises concerns for the IT consultancy industry at large as this could be just the beginning. Given the DoD’s decision to cancel contracts, even in the future, new tenders are likely to come with stricter cost controls, scaled-down scopes, and a preference for in-house or small business execution models. “DOGE is aligned with what Elon Musk did at Twitter after its takeover. He let go of 80% of the staff and now Twitter or X is working fine,” said Pareekh Jain, CEO at EIIRTrend & Pareekh Consulting. “The same approach is visible in the US DoD now. They will cancel many IT (consultancy) services contracts, and many IT software contracts, and also do internal work to optimize spend. They will use AI where possible. Their approach will be to eliminate unnecessary or nice-to-have work, and for what is necessary, do more with less, combining AI and internal resources,” said Pareekh Jain, CEO at EIIRTrend & Pareekh Consulting. The likelihood of these contracts being reinstated — either in full or in modified form — remains low in the near term. While some Pentagon departments may handle the work, eventually they may need to rebid portions of the canceled work. However, there is very little chance of the current administration aiming to re-engage large consulting firms under similar terms. Also, what was once seen as a guaranteed avenue for some of the large IT consultancy service companies, this decision may now subject these companies to intense scrutiny and political pushback. These company’s federal business units will now have to navigate a tougher procurement climate, compete with leaner players, and justify every dollar in delivery value.  Meanwhile, for the broader IT services industry — especially offshore players like TCS and Infosys — the implications are more indirect but no less significant. While they don’t work much on Federal contracts, the sudden retreat in the US federal IT spending adds to the climate of uncertainty already created by trade policy shifts, tariff freezes, and cost-consciousness across corporate America.

1. Sophie and Martin are at the 2012 Gordon Research Conference on the Biology of Aging in Ventura, California. It is a foggy February weekend. Both are disappointed about how little sun there is on the California beach. They are two graduate students—Sophie in her sixth and final year, Martin in his fourth—who have traveled from different East Coast cities to present posters on their work. Martin’s shows health data collected from supercentenarians compared with the general Medicare population, capturing the diseases that are less and more common in the populations. Sophie is presenting on her recently accepted first-author paper in Aging Cell on two specific genes that, when activated, extend lifespan in C. elegans roundworms, the model organism of her research.  2. Sophie walks by Martin’s poster after she is done presenting her own. She is not immediately impressed by his work. It is not published, for one thing. But she sees how it is attention-grabbing and relevant, even necessary. He has a little crowd listening to him. He notices her—a frowning girl—standing in the back and begins to talk louder, hoping she hears. “Supercentenarians are much less likely to have seven diseases,” he says, pointing to his poster. “Alzheimer’s, heart failure, diabetes, depression, prostate cancer, hip fracture, and chronic kidney disease. Though they have higher instances of four diseases, which are arthritis, cataracts, osteoporosis, and glaucoma. These aren’t linked to mortality, but they do affect quality of life.” What stands out to Sophie is the confidence in Martin’s voice, despite the unsurprising nature of the findings. She admires that sound, its sturdiness. She makes note of his name and plans to seek him out.  3. They find one another in the hotel bar among other graduate students. The students are talking about the logistics of their futures: Who is going for a postdoc, who will opt for industry, do any have job offers already, where will their research have the most impact, is it worth spending years working toward something so uncertain? They stay up too late, dissecting journal articles they’ve read as if they were debating politics. They enjoy the freedom away from their labs and PIs.  Martin says, again with that confidence, that he will become a professor. Sophie says she likely won’t go down that path. She has received an offer to start as a scientist at an aging research startup called Abyssinian Bio, after she defends. Martin says, “Wouldn’t your work make more sense in an academic setting, where you have more freedom and power over what you do?” She says, “But that could be years from now and I want to start my real life, so …”  4-18. Martin is enamored with Sophie. She is not only brilliant; she is helpful. She strengthens his papers with precise edits and grounds his arguments with stronger evidence. Sophie is enamored with Martin. He is not only ambitious; he is supportive and adventurous. He encourages her to try new activities and tools, both in and out of work, like learning to ride a motorcycle or using CRISPR. Martin visits Sophie in San Francisco whenever he can, which amounts to a weekend or two every other month. After two years, their long-distance relationship is taking its toll. They want more weekends, more months, more everything together. They make plans for him to get a postdoc near her, but after multiple rejections from the labs where he most wants to work, his resentment toward academia grows.  “They don’t see the value of my work,” he says. 19. “Join Abyssinian,” Sophie offers. The company is growing. They want more researchers with data science backgrounds. He takes the job, drawn more by their future together than by the science. 20-35. For a long time, they are happy. They marry. They do their research. They travel. Sophie visits Martin’s extended family in France. Martin goes with Sophie to her cousin’s wedding in Taipei. They get a dog. The dog dies. They are both devastated but increasingly motivated to better understand the mechanisms of aging. Maybe their next dog will have the opportunity to live longer. They do not get a next dog. Sophie moves up at Abyssinian. Despite being in industry, her work is published in well-respected journals. She collaborates well with her colleagues. Eventually, she is promoted to executive director of research.  Martin stalls at the rank of principal scientist, and though Sophie is technically his boss—or his boss’s boss—he genuinely doesn’t mind when others call him “Dr. Sophie Xie’s husband.” 40. At dinner on his 35th birthday, a friend jokes that Martin is now middle-aged. Sophie laughs and agrees, though she is older than Martin. Martin joins in the laughter, but this small comment unlocks a sense of urgency inside him. What once felt hypothetical—his own death, the death of his wife—now appears very close. He can feel his wrinkles forming.   First come the subtle shifts in how he talks about his research and Abyssinian’s work. He wants to “defeat” and “obliterate” aging, which he comes to describe as humankind’s “greatest adversary.”  43. He begins taking supplements touted by tech influencers. He goes on a calorie-restricted diet. He gets weekly vitamin IV sessions. He looks into blood transfusions from young donors, but Sophie tells him to stop with all the fake science. She says he’s being ridiculous, that what he’s doing could be dangerous.   Martin, for the first time, sees Sophie differently. Not without love, but love burdened by an opposing weight, what others might recognize as resentment. Sophie is dedicated to the demands of her growing department. Martin thinks she is not taking the task of living longer seriously enough. He does not want her to die. He does not want to die.  Nobody at Abyssinian is taking the task of living longer seriously enough. Of all the aging bio startups he could have ended up at, how has he ended up at one with such modest—no, lazy—goals? He begins publicly dismissing basic research as “too slow” and “too limited,” which offends many of his and Sophie’s colleagues.  Sophie defends him, says he is still doing good work, despite the evidence. She is busy, traveling often for conferences, and mistakenly misclassifies the changes in Martin’s attitude as temporary outliers. 44. One day, during a meeting, Martin says to Jerry, a well-­respected scientist at Abyssinian and in the electron microscopy imaging community at large, that EM is an outdated, old, crusty technology. Martin says it is stupid to use it when there are more advanced, cutting-edge methods, like cryo-EM and super-resolution microscopy. Martin has always been outspoken, but this instance veers into rudeness.  At home, Martin and Sophie argue. Initially, they argue about whether tools of the past can be useful to their work. Then the argument morphs. What is the true purpose of their research? Martin says it’s called anti-aging research for a reason: It’s to defy aging! Sophie says she’s never called her work anti-aging research; she calls it aging research or research into the biology of aging. And Abyssinian’s overarching mission is more simply to find druggable targets for chronic and age-related diseases. Occasionally, the company’s marketing arm will push out messaging about extending the human lifespan by 20 years, but that has nothing to do with scientists like them in R&D. Martin seethes. Only 20 years! What about hundreds? Thousands?  45-49. They continue to argue and the arguments are roundabout, typically ending with Sophie crying, absconding to her sister’s house, and the two of them not speaking for short periods of time. 50. What hurts Sophie most is Martin’s persistent dismissal of death as merely an engineering problem to be solved. Sophie thinks of the ways the C. elegans she observes regulate their lifespans in response to environmental stress. The complex dance of genes and proteins that orchestrates their aging process. In the previous month’s experiment, a seemingly simple mutation produced unexpected effects across three generations of worms. Nature’s complexity still humbles her daily. There is still so much unknown.  Martin is at the kitchen counter, methodically crushing his evening supplements into powder. “I’m trying to save humanity. And all you want to do is sit in the lab to watch worms die.” 50. Martin blames the past. He realizes he should have tried harder to become a professor. Let Sophie make the industry money—he could have had academic clout. Professor Warwick. It would have had a nice sound to it. To his dismay, everyone in his lab calls him Martin. Abyssinian has a first-name policy. Something about flat hierarchies making for better collaboration. Good ideas could come from anyone, even a lowly, unintelligent senior associate scientist in Martin’s lab who barely understands how to process a data set. A great idea could come from anyone at all—except him, apparently. Sophie has made that clear. 51-59. They live in a tenuous peace for some time, perfecting the art of careful scheduling: separate coffee times, meetings avoided, short conversations that stick to the day-to-day facts of their lives. 60. Then Martin stands up to interrupt a presentation by the VP of research to announce that studying natural aging is pointless since they will soon eliminate it entirely. While Jerry may have shrugged off Martin’s aggressiveness, the VP does not. This leads to a blowout fight between Martin and many of his colleagues, in which Martin refuses to apologize and calls them all shortsighted idiots.  Sophie watches with a mixture of fear and awe. Martin thinks: Can’t she, my wife, just side with me this once?  61. Back at home: Martin at the kitchen counter, methodically crushing his evening supplements into powder. “I’m trying to save humanity.” He taps the powder into his protein shake with the precision of a scientist measuring reagents. “And all you want to do is sit in the lab to watch worms die.” Sophie observes his familiar movements, now foreign in their desperation. The kitchen light catches the silver spreading at his temples and on his chin—the very evidence of aging he is trying so hard to erase. “That’s not true,” she says. Martin gulps down his shake. “What about us? What about children?” Martin coughs, then laughs, a sound that makes Sophie flinch. “Why would we have children now? You certainly don’t have the time. But if we solve aging, which I believe we can, we’d have all the time in the world.” “We used to talk about starting a family.” “Any children we have should be born into a world where we already know they never have to die.” “We could both make the time. I want to grow old together—” All Martin hears are promises that lead to nothing, nowhere.   “You want us to deteriorate? To watch each other decay?” “I want a real life.” “So you’re choosing death. You’re choosing limitation. Mediocrity.” 64. Martin doesn’t hear from his wife for four days, despite texting her 16 times—12 too many, by his count. He finally breaks down enough to call her in the evening, after a couple of glasses of aged whisky (a gift from a former colleague, which Martin has rarely touched and kept hidden in the far back of a desk drawer).  Voicemail. And after this morning’s text, still no glimmering ellipsis bubble to indicate Sophie’s typing.  66. Forget her, he thinks, leaning back in his Steelcase chair, adjusted specifically for his long runner’s legs and shorter­-than-average torso. At 39, Martin’s spreadsheets of vitals now show an upward trajectory; proof of his ability to reverse his biological age. Sophie does not appreciate this. He stares out his office window, down at the employees crawling around Abyssinian Bio’s main quad. How small, he thinks. How significantly unaware of the future’s true possibilities. Sophie is like them.  67. Forget her, he thinks again as he turns down a bay toward Robert, one of his struggling postdocs, who is sitting at his bench staring at his laptop. As Martin approaches, Robert minimizes several windows, leaving only his home screen behind. “Where are you at with the NAD+ data?” Martin asks. Robert shifts in his chair to face Martin. The skin of his neck grows red and splotchy. Martin stares at it in disgust. “Well?” he asks again.  “Oh, I was told not to work on that anymore?” The boy has a tendency to speak in the lilt of questions.  “By who?” Martin demands. “Uh, Sophie?”  “I see. Well, I expect new data by end of day.”  “Oh, but—” Martin narrows his eyes. The red splotches on Robert’s neck grow larger.  “Um, okay,” the boy says, returning his focus to the computer.  Martin decides a response is called for … 70. Immortality Promise I am immortal. This doesn’t make me special. In fact, most people on Earth are immortal. I am 6,000 years old. Now, 6,000 years of existence give one a certain perspective. I remember back when genetic engineering and knowledge about the processes behind aging were still in their infancy. Oh, how people argued and protested. “It’s unethical!” “We’ll kill the Earth if there’s no death!” “Immortal people won’t be motivated to do anything! We’ll become a useless civilization living under our AI overlords!”  I believed back then, and now I know. Their concerns had no ground to stand on. Eternal life isn’t even remarkable anymore, but being among its architects and early believers still garners respect from the world. The elegance of my team’s solution continues to fill me with pride. We didn’t just halt aging; we mastered it. My cellular machinery hums with an efficiency that would make evolution herself jealous. Those early protesters—bless their mortal, no-longer-­beating hearts—never grasped the biological imperative of what we were doing. Nature had already created functionally immortal organisms—the hydra, certain jellyfish species, even some plants. We simply perfected what evolution had sketched out. The supposed ethical concerns melted away once people understood that we weren’t defying nature. We were fulfilling its potential. Today, those who did not want to be immortal aren’t around. Simple as that. Those who are here do care about the planet more than ever! There are almost no diseases, and we’re all very productive people. Young adults—or should I say young-looking adults—are naturally restless and energetic. And with all this life, you have the added benefit of not wasting your time on a career you might hate! You get to try different things and find out what you’re really good at and where you’re appreciated! Life is not short! Resources are plentiful! Of course, biological immortality doesn’t equal invincibility. People still die. Just not very often. My colleagues in materials science developed our modern protective exoskeletons. They’re elegant solutions, though I prefer to rely on my enhanced reflexes and reinforced skeletal structure most days.  The population concerns proved mathematically unfounded. Stable reproduction rates emerged naturally once people realized they had unlimited time to start families. I’ve had four sets of children across 6,000 years, each born when I felt truly ready to pass on another iteration of my accumulated knowledge. With more life, people have much more patience.  Now we are on to bigger and more ambitious projects. We conquered survival of individuals. The next step: survival of our species in this universe. The sun’s eventual death poses an interesting challenge, but nothing we can’t handle. We have colonized five planets and two moons in our solar system, and we will colonize more. Humanity will adapt to whatever environment we encounter. That’s what we do. My ancient motorcycle remains my favorite indulgence. I love taking it for long cruises on the old Earth roads that remain intact. The neural interface is state-of-the-art, of course. But mostly I keep it because it reminds me of earlier times, when we thought death was inevitable and life was limited to a single planet. The future stretches out before us like an infinity I helped create—yet another masterpiece in the eternal gallery of human evolution. 71. Martin feels better after writing it out. He rereads it a couple times, feels even better. Then he has the idea to send his writing to the department administrator. He asks her to create a new tab on his lab page, titled “Immortality Promise,” and to post his piece there. That will get his message across to Sophie and everyone at Abyssinian.  72. Sophie’s boss, Ray, is the first to email her. The subject line: “martn” [sic]. No further words in the body. Ray is known to be short and blunt in all his communications, but his meaning is always clear. They’ve had enough conversations about Martin by then. She is already in the process of slowly shutting down his projects, has been ignoring his texts and calls because of this. Now she has to move even faster.  73. Sophie leaves her office and goes into the lab. As an executive, she is not expected to do experiments, but watching a thousand tiny worms crawl across their agar plates soothes her. Each of the ones she now looks at carries a fluorescent marker she designed to track mitochondrial dynamics during aging. The green glow pulses with their movements, like stars blinking in a microscopic galaxy. She spent years developing this strain of C. elegans, carefully selecting for longevity without sacrificing health. The worms that lived longest weren’t always the healthiest—a truth about aging that seemed to elude Martin. Those worms taught her more about the genuine complexity of aging. Just last week, she observed something unexpected: The mitochondrial networks in her long-lived strains showed subtle patterns of reorganization never documented before. The discovery felt intimate, like being trusted with a secret. “How are things looking?” Jerry appears beside her. “That new strain expressing the dual markers?” Sophie nods, adjusting the focus. “Look at this network pattern. It’s different from anything in the literature.” She shifts aside so Jerry can see. This is what she loves about science: the genuine puzzles, the patient observation, the slow accumulation of knowledge that, while far removed from a specific application, could someday help people age with dignity. “Beautiful,” Jerry murmurs. He straightens. “I heard about Martin’s … post.” Sophie closes her eyes for a moment, the image of the mitochondrial networks still floating in her vision. She’s read Martin’s “Immortality Promise” piece three times, each more painful than the last. Not because of its grandiose claims—those were comically disconnected from reality—but because of what it’s revealed about her husband. The writing pulsed with a frightening certainty, a complete absence of doubt or wonder. Gone was the scientist who once spent many lively evenings debating with her about the evolutionary purpose of aging, who delighted in being proved wrong because it meant learning something new.  74. She sees in his words a man who has abandoned the fundamental principles of science. His piece reads like a religious text or science fiction story, casting himself as the hero. He isn’t pursuing research anymore. He hasn’t been for a long time.  She wonders how and when he arrived there. The change in Martin didn’t take place overnight. It was gradual, almost imperceptible—not unlike watching someone age. It wasn’t easy to notice if you saw the person every day; Sophie feels guilty for not noticing. Then again, she read a new study out a few months ago from Stanford researchers that found people do not age linearly but in spurts—specifically, around 44 and 60. Shifts in the body lead to sudden accelerations of change. If she’s honest with herself, she knew this was happening to Martin, to their relationship. But she chose to ignore it, give other problems precedence. Now it is too late. Maybe if she’d addressed the conditions right before the spike—but how? wasn’t it inevitable?—he would not have gone from scientist to fanatic. 75. “You’re giving the keynote at next month’s Gordon conference,” Jerry reminds her, pulling her back to reality. “Don’t let this overshadow that.” She manages a small smile. Her work has always been methodical, built on careful observation and respect for the fundamental mysteries of biology. The keynote speech represents more than five years of research: countless hours of guiding her teams, of exciting discussions among her peers, of watching worms age and die, of documenting every detail of their cellular changes. It is one of the biggest honors of her career. There is poetry in it, she thinks—in the collisions between discoveries and failures.  76. The knock on her office door comes at 2:45. Linda from HR, right on schedule. Sophie walks with her to conference room B2, two floors below, where Martin’s group resides. Through the glass walls of each lab, they see scientists working at their benches. One adjusts a microscope’s focus. Another pipettes clear liquid into rows of tubes. Three researchers point at data on a screen. Each person is investigating some aspect of aging, one careful experiment at a time. The work will continue, with or without Martin. In the conference room, Sophie opens her laptop and pulls up the folder of evidence. She has been collecting it for months. Martin’s emails to colleagues, complaints from collaborators and direct reports, and finally, his “Immortality Promise” piece. The documentation is thorough, organized chronologically. She has labeled each file with dates and brief descriptions, as she would for any other data. 77. Martin walks in at 3:00. Linda from HR shifts in her chair. Sophie is the one to hand the papers over to Martin; this much she owes him. They contain words like “termination” and “effective immediately.” Martin’s face complicates itself when he looks them over. Sophie hands over a pen and he signs quickly.   He stands, adjusts his shirt cuffs, and walks to the door. He turns back. “I’ll prove you wrong,” he says, looking at Sophie. But what stands out to her is the crack in his voice on the last word.  Sophie watches him leave. She picks up the signed papers and hands them to Linda, and then walks out herself.  Alexandra Chang is the author of Days of Distraction and Tomb Sweeping and is a National Book Foundation 5 under 35 honoree. She lives in Camarillo, California.

France is bringing identity cards to the iPhone this summer, with the country moving to embrace digital identity cards while U.S. adoption moves at a glacial pace.Examples of digital ID cards on a phone in France - Image Credit: France IdentiteIdentity cards are a well-known tool in France, as an alternate to passports and driving licenses. Approximately 25 million people use them in the country as a form of government identity, without necessarily needing the other official documents in their lives.Now, the French government is preparing to make the digital version of the identity cards available via the iPhone. Spotted by Consomac, France Identite confirmed via X that the ID card will be going digital, and will be available on mobile devices soon. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The University of Toronto has begun construction on what is set to become Canada’s tallest academic timber building. Rising 14 stories, the Academic Wood Tower seeks to become a landmark project for sustainable architecture in the country, integrating mass timber and steel hybrid construction. Construction progress. Image credit: Johnny Guatto, University of TorontoDesigned by Patkau Architects and MJMA Architecture & Design, with structural consulting from Blackwell Structural Engineers and Smith + Andersen, the tower has already received a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence. Construction is being led by Pomerleau, with completion targeted for 2026. Construction progress. Image credit: David Lee, University of TorontoLocated on U of T’s St. George campus at Devonshire Place and Bloor Street, the tower will house facilities for the Rotman School of Management, the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education. The top five flo...

These annual rankings were last updated on April 11, 2025. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking. Japanese architecture and building formulae have long been revered by the West. Even if the nation’s notably minimalist ethos remains somewhat elusive, the formal exchange between Japan and the rest of the world have been reciprocal and fertile. In addition to its characteristic Buddhist temples, vast Shinto shrines, traditional curved roofed structure and regenerative approach to preservation, Modernism took off in Japan following the Second World War and left a great impression on the international architectural community with its Metabolist movement. Immense structural rehabilitation took place after the war, and pioneering architects like Kenzō Tange made significant contributions to Japan’s built environment by synthesizing traditional architecture with modernism. This reinterpretation of modernist architectural styles was championed through the 20th century by architects who underscored the interplay of architecture with the landscape. Among the many structural typologies worthy of envy are Japanese school designs and THE TOKYO TOILET; the country’s pedagogical structures reflect its rich curriculum, which underscores discipline, curiosity and responsibility. With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Japan based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge. How are these architecture firms ranked? The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority: The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2025) The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2025) The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2025) The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2025) The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2025) Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Japan architecture firms throughout the year. Without further ado, here are the 30 best architecture firms in Japan: 30. TDSTUDIO © TDSTUDIO tdstudio is a small, collaborative, and diverse international architectural office based in Tokyo. At tdstudio (Tsushima Design Studio) we strive to create more memorable and enchanting spaces through the utilization of trans-formative architecture. Through thoughtful transformations of the projects site, existing structures, architectural landscapes, and the surrounding environment we are able to create an overall clarity within our architectural projects which helps us to define more “TANGIBLE SPACES”. In all of our projects we are committed to the creation of Architecture which sensitive to its surroundings not only now, but also throughout the lifetime of the building and beyond. Programmatic functioning, site conditions, regional context, the surrounding environment, as well as local culture’s and technologies are all carefully studied and implemented into each individual project. Some of TDSTUDIO’s most prominent projects include: Mei Zhou Church, Hangzhou, China Y-House, Japan Tianzhu Marketing Center, Beijing, China Shanghai Wujifang, Pudong, Shanghai, China N-House, Tokyo, Japan The following statistics helped TDSTUDIO achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 5 Total Projects 6 29. Aisaka Architects’ Atelier © Shigeo Ogawa Aisaka architects’ atelier is located in densely populated suburban Tokyo. Their work revolves around residential architecture. Some of Aisaka Architects’ Atelier’s most prominent projects include: AMANENOMORI NURSERY SCHOOL, Chiba Prefecture, Japan Higashitateishi Nursery school, Katsushika City, Japan house in todoroki, Tokyo, Japan KEIUN BUILDING, Tokyo, Japan Tesoro Nursery School, Kojimachi, Chiyoda City, Japan The following statistics helped Aisaka Architects' Atelier achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 6 28. Klein Dytham architecture © Klein Dytham architecture Klein Dytham architecture (KDa) is a multi-disciplinary design practice known for architecture, interiors, public spaces and installations. Established by Royal College of Art graduates Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham in Tokyo in 1991, today KDa is a multi-lingual office with an international reputation and a high-profile client list which includes Google, Tsutaya, Sony, Virgin Atlantic, Nike, Uniqlo, Selfridges and Japan Rail. KDa’s built work includes flagship retail stores, restaurants, resort facilities, office fit-outs, houses and private residences. KDa has no stylistic recipe, preferring to work with the client, program and other project parameters to develop a uniquely tailored solution. Materials, technology, and context are all key elements of KDa’s design approach, spiced always with an irreverent or surprising twist. Some of Klein Dytham architecture’s most prominent projects include: Cartier Shinsaibashi Boutique, Osaka, Japan PokoPoko Clubhouse, Nasu, Japan Soma City HOME-FOR-ALL, Kitaiibuchi, Soma, Japan Daikanyama T-Site, Shibuya, Japan Leaf Chapel The following statistics helped Klein Dytham architecture achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 1 Featured Projects 5 Total Projects 10 27. bandesign © bandesign,Ltd. Architecture has long life and difference from another design. I don’t design with an idea, but I do design for never changing. For example, the sun come up in the east, and set in the west. It is definitely never changing for ever. I want to design intentionally for long life. In addition, long life is closely related with architectural culture. Historical architecture is being existence strongly. Could you imagine the architect’s mind? If he were not enthusiastic, the historical architecture wouldn’t be existence. The design work might be for his life. It is clear that architecture is same as fine art, another art. Some of bandesign’s most prominent projects include: Mirrors, Gifu Prefecture, Japan Involve, Nisshin, Japan Turn,Turn,Turn,, Aichi Prefecture, Japan Secret Garden, Aichi Prefecture, Japan The Distance, Japan The following statistics helped bandesign,Ltd. achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 1 A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 5 Total Projects 7 26. CASE-REAL © CASE-REAL Led by designer Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL works on interior / architecture projects. With creative ideas and technological studies based on each environment, objective and tasks given for each project CASE-REAL will seek for an essential solution to fit each atmosphere. Koichi Futatsumata is the representative director of “CASE-REAL” focusing on spacial design, and “KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO”, which specializes in product design. He is based in Fukuoka and Tokyo working internationally with variety of works including architectures, interiors, furnitures and products. Some of CASE-REAL’s most prominent projects include: House in Saitozaki Restaurant on the Sea, Takamatsu-shi, Japan House in Tsurumaki, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan VILLA IN YORON, Oshima District, Japan WINE&SWEETS TSUMONS, Fukuoka, Japan The following statistics helped CASE-REAL achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 7 25. Yohei Kawashima architects © ©Koji Fujii /TOREAL (16) Yohei Kawashima architects was founded in 2014 by Youhei Kawashima and is based in Tokyo, Japan. The firm is well versed in the design of large-scale apartment buildings as well as retail architecture. Some of Yohei Kawashima architects’ most prominent projects include: M_building, Miyakojima, Japan JINS Sendai Izumi, Sendai, Japan O_apartment, Miyakojima, Japan S_apartment, Miyakojima, Japan N_apartment, Miyakojima, Japan The following statistics helped Yohei Kawashima architects inc. achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 10 24. Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture © Takumi Ota Photography We seeks to re-interpreted architecture’s position within cultural practices that determine meaning, particularly within will of epoch analysis. The investigations traverse not only conventional notions of space, enclosure, and order but also the fluctuating frames that define spaces Some of Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture’s most prominent projects include: Yomogino Ryokan Hot Spa Wall Cloud, Tokyo, Japan Modelia Days GOKOKUJI, Otowa, Bunkyō-ku, Japan Chopin International Music Centre in Zelazowa Wola Modelia Brut KAGURAZAKA, Shinjuku City, Japan The following statistics helped Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 15 23. kasa architects © kasa architects We want to create places, not buildings. We share our clients’ ideas and wishes, discovering the joys and comforts of a new way of life. We value the qualities of a place, and we want to create rich spaces by pursuing the possibilities of architecture. Some of kasa architects’ most prominent projects include: Share House Funabashi, Japan house in kodaira, Japan house in ageo, Japan house komoro, Komoro, Japan house koenji, Tokyo, Japan The following statistics helped kasa architects achieve 23rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 22 22. Tsutsumi And Associates © Tsutsumi And Associates We are an architectural design firm with two offices in Hiroshima and Beijing. Every site has a complex intertwining of various issues that are different from each other. We carefully untangle them, identify the conceptual issues, and aim to create a unique architecture for the client. Such an architecture will not be merely a style for show, but will live with the client for a long time with pleasure. Some of Tsutsumi And Associates’ most prominent projects include: ANZAS Dance Studio, Beijing, China House in Dawanglu, Beijing, China Tsingpu Baisha Retreat, Lijiang, China Ryoutei Matsuko, Hangzhou, China Hangzhou Spiral Villa, Hangzhou, China The following statistics helped Tsutsumi And Associates achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 20 21. MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS © MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS Moriyuki Ochiai Architects that is active in architectural, interior, furniture, landscape and industrial design. The sources of our inspirations come from being captivated by the vivacious and lively beauty of nature or life. We can also feel the influence coming from the delicate sensitivity responding to the unique Japanese nature, which can be found in Japanese temples and gardens. We wish to continue creating works that fulfill people’s dreams, become the energy for their lives, and then move on to a deeper dimension that exceeds life itself. Some of MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS’ most prominent projects include: Aluminum Flower Garden ARKHE Beauty Salon, Chiba, Japan Dream Dairy Farm Store, Japan Pixy Hall, Yokohama, Japan YUME MARCHE Store, Japan The following statistics helped MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 22 20. FORM / Kouichi Kimura Architects photo: Takumi Ota, Kei Nakajima - © FORM / Kouichi Kimura Architects Established in 1991 by Kouichi Kimura, FORM mission is to create spaces where quiet time flows. Working primarily with residential design, the firm’s architecture has been characterized as poetic, with great attention to form, shadow and light. Some of FORM / Kouichi Kimura Architects’ most prominent projects include: House of Silence, Shiga, Japan House for a Photographer, Shiga Prefecture, Japan House of Representation, Japan Promenade House, Shiga, Japan House of Reticence, Shiga Prefecture, Japan The following statistics helped FORM / Kouichi Kimura Architects achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 8 19. Apollo Architects and Associates © Apollo Architects and Associates The name “Apollo” originates from Apollon, god of sun and light in Greco-Roman mythology. The firm was named in 2000 with the hope of pursuing architecture composed of the simple materials of “light” and “shadow”, while also aiming to become a luminous presence within the city and society. Architecture needs to be safe and functional, but it also needs to go beyond that. What we aim to do in addition to those basic requirements is to induce a rich spirituality within the space. Daily life, which is composed of the accumulation of simple and trivial events, requires an enduring continuity. Some of Apollo Architects and Associates’ most prominent projects include: WRAP, Minato, Japan FOLD ‘FLOW’, Kairaku, Urayasu, Japan NEUT, Tokyo, Japan LATTICE The following statistics helped Apollo Architects and Associates achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 8 Total Projects 12 18. Kichi Architectural Design © Kichi Architectural Design We are Kichi Architectural Design based in Japan. The design of homes is our main business line, but we also design stores and offices. While appreciating the inherent energy of land, we cultivate expansive ideas through repeated consultations with each client. Our aim is to create unique spaces that resonate with the spirits of the people who will live there. Some of Kichi Architectural Design’s most prominent projects include: House of Blocks, Ushiku, Japan Cubic House Of Kubogaoka, Moriya, Japan Ripple House, Tsukubamirai, Japan Scandinavian Middle, Tsukubamirai, Japan Hotel PatInn, Ogasawara, Japan The following statistics helped Kichi Architectural Design achieve 18th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 30 17. SUGAWARADAISUKE Architects © SUGAWARADAISUKE Architects Inc. SUGAWARADAISUKE is an architecture and art-direction office valued internationally, working on different areas like urban design, landscape, architecture, interior, graphic design and branding. Our target is to make our world beautiful and colorful by integrating different scales and elements. The cross-cutting creativity is based on global viewpoints and architectural background. Some of SUGAWARADAISUKE Architects’ most prominent projects include: Office in Forest / Aquaplannet headquarters building, Matsusaka, Japan Temporary Housing of Rikuzentakata / Emergency Project for the Great East Japan Earthquake, Otomocho, Rikuzentakata, Japan Yutaka Kindergarten, Saitama, Japan CELL Kiritoshi House, Oamishirasato, Japan The following statistics helped SUGAWARADAISUKE Architects Inc. achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Finalist 2 Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 17 16. Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS © Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS Our aim is to find the simplest and the most innovative space composition, construction method or other architectural technique that does tackle the different problems and give a coherent, clever, logical solution. In order to do so, we will investigate and analyze the customer’s requirements, observe the urban context, understand the social interactions, acknowledge local history, culture, regulations and natural environment, study building materials and techniques. Some of Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS’ most prominent projects include: yotsuya tenera, Tokyo, Japan Fudomae Apartment with Six Voids, Meguro City, Japan Sakuragicho Residence, Yokohama, Japan House Taishido Komachi Building, Shibuya, Japan The following statistics helped Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 2 A+Awards Finalist 2 Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 24 15. Kiriko design office © Kiriko design office Kiriko Design Office was established four decades ago in Kochi Prefecture being surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. The firm often works with local materials and designs all types of structures – nursery schools, clinics, apartment complexes, villas, shops and buildings. Some of Kiriko design office’s most prominent projects include: Oranque, Kochi, Japan Tei, Kochi Prefecture, Japan Totoro, Japan House T ombrage, Japan The following statistics helped Kiriko design office achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 9 Total Projects 13 14. Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP © Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP was established in 2002 by Hiroshi Nakamura. He believes in constructing an organic relationship between “architecture, nature, and the body” through “microscopic design” that is close to natural phenomena, people’s behavior, and emotional movements. And we aim to harmonize them with “architecture that can only be found there” based on the history, culture, industry, materials, etc. of the region. In recent years, he has found the essence of this in traditional Japanese architecture and garden culture, and is working to reconstruct them. Some of Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP’s most prominent projects include: Sayama Forest Chapel, Tokorozawa, Japan Ribbon Chapel, Onomichi, Japan Kamikatz Public House, Tokushima, Japan Bird’s Nest Atami, Atami, Japan Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto, Hokkaido, Japan The following statistics helped Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 2 A+Awards Finalist 2 Featured Projects 8 Total Projects 11 13. Florian Busch Architects © Florian Busch Architects Florian Busch Architects is an office practicing architecture, urbanism, and socio-cultural analysis. Based in Tokyo, FBA draws on a worldwide network of expert consultants, architects and engineers, accumulating several decades of experience in the ἀeld of building. Understanding architecture as the result of interactions between multiple fields, FBA, from the outset of any project, devises spatial strategies working in feedback processes with a diversity of consultants to drive the project towards solutions beyond the imagined. Florian Busch Architectural Design Office is an office that engages in research on architecture, urban planning, society and culture. Based in Tokyo, we have a network of numerous engineers who have decades of experience and trust in the architectural world. Some of Florian Busch Architects’ most prominent projects include: House in Takadanobaba, Tokyo, Japan House in the Forest, Hokkaido, Japan ‘A’ House in Kisami, Shimoda, Japan L House in Hirafu, Abuta District, Japan House that Opens up to its Inside, Yūkarigaoka, Sakura, Japan The following statistics helped Florian Busch Architects achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 8 Total Projects 15 12. YYAA | Yoshihiro Yamamoto & Associates, Architects © YYAA | Yoshihiro Yamamoto & Associates, Architects YYAA is an architect office based on Nara / Osaka , Japan. Founded by Yoshihiro Yamamoto, the firm approaches their work as “designers” rather than “architects” and celebrate the individuality of each plan. Some of YYAA | Yoshihiro Yamamoto & Associates, Architects’ most prominent projects include: House for Aya, Osaka, Japan Fukinagashi Flat, Osaka, Japan Cafe Franz Kafka, Nara, Japan Okayama Building, Osaka, Japan Crossroad House, Sakai, Japan The following statistics helped YYAA | Yoshihiro Yamamoto & Associates, Architects achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 11 Total Projects 23 11. ALTS DESIGN OFFICE © ALTS DESIGN OFFICE ‘It searches for always new universality and it is begun to make’various and special something – this is our work .If an architect’s office is requested, many people think that a threshold is high and high-cost and becomes a house in which it is hard to live by design serious consideration. However, such a thing never cannot be found. We search for always new universality, conversing with the chief mourner, and beginning to make various and rich space by using a simple and intelligible method. We are able to create that regaze at ‘the fundamental view which people have, and reconstructing it from a different angle – richer and newer space. Some of ALTS DESIGN OFFICE’s most prominent projects include: Kofunaki House, Kobunakicho, Omihachiman, Japan Azuchi House, Minakuchi, Japan kusatsu house, Japan Higashihayashiguchi Dwelling with shop, Japan ishibe house, Japan The following statistics helped ALTS DESIGN OFFICE achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 11 Total Projects 55 10. Tadao Ando Architect & Associates © Tadao Ando Architect & Associates Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, founded in 1969 by the self-taught architect Tadao Ando, is renowned for its minimalist concrete structures and integration of natural elements into architectural designs. The firm’s project are mainly centered around cultural architecture. Some of Tadao Ando Architect & Associates’ most prominent projects include: He Art Museum, Foshan, China MPavilion 10, Melbourne, Australia Centro Roberto Garza Sada de Arte, Arquitectura y Diseño, Monterrey, Mexico ICHIGONI at 152 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY, United States Asia Museum of Modern Art, Asia University, Taichung City, Taiwan The following statistics helped Tadao Ando Architect & Associates achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 2 A+Awards Finalist 7 Featured Projects 4 Total Projects 6 9. Schemata Architects / Jo Nagasaka © Schemata Architects / Jo Nagasaka Jo Nagasaka established Schemata Architects right after graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts in 1998. Currently he is based out of Kitasando, Tokyo. Jo has extensive experience in a wide range of expertise from furniture to architecture. His design approach is always based on 1:1 scale, regardless of what size he deals with. He works extensively in Japan and around the world, while expanding his design activity in various fields. Some of Schemata Architects / Jo Nagasaka’s most prominent projects include: ºC (Do-C) Ebisu, Tokyo, Japan Takeo Kikuchi Store in Shibuya, Jingumae, Shibuya, Japan WORLD BASICS Pop-Up Store @merci, Paris, France Takahashi Hiroko Oshiage Studio, Narihira, Sumida-ku, Japan House in Hatogaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan The following statistics helped Schemata Architects / Jo Nagasaka achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 12 Total Projects 20 8. emmanuelle moureaux © Daisuke Shima Born in 1971, France. Emmanuelle Moureaux is a French architect living in Tokyo since 1996, where she established “emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design” in 2003. Inspired by the layers and colors of Tokyo that built a complex depth and density on the street, and the Japanese traditional spatial elements like sliding screens, she has created the concept of shikiri, which literally means “dividing (creating) space with colors”. She uses colors as three-dimensional elements, like layers, in order to create spaces, not as a finishing touch applied on surfaces. Some of emmanuelle moureaux’s most prominent projects include: Forest of Numbers, Tokyo, Japan Sugamo Shinkin Bank / Shimura Branch, Azusawa, Itabashi-ku, Japan Sugamo Shinkin Bank / Nakaaoki Branch, Kawaguchi, Japan 100 colors no.35, Kurashiki, Japan 100 colors no.37, Oslo, Norway The following statistics helped emmanuelle moureaux INC. achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 2 A+Awards Finalist 2 Featured Projects 11 Total Projects 25 7. Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office) © Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office) Cofounded by Hidemasa Yoshimoto and Masahiro Miyake, y+M design office is a japanese architectural practice that attaches big importance to the idea of connections. Pondering connection between environments and humans, the firm seeks to find the most appropriate design solutions for its clients. Some of Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office)’s most prominent projects include: béret, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan Floating-roof house, Kobe, Japan House of a Backstage, Tokushima, Japan Slide House, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan Shawl House, Ehime Prefecture, Japan The following statistics helped Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office) achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 12 Total Projects 24 6. Nendo © Nendo Giving people a small ” ! ” moment.There are so many small ” ! ” moments hidden in our everyday.But we don’t recognize them.and even when we do recognize them,we tend to unconsciously reset ourminds and forget what we’ve seen.But we believe these small ” ! ” moments are what make our days so interesting, so rich.That’s why we want to reconstitute the everyday by collecting and reshaping them into something that’s easy to understand.We’d like the people who’ve encountered Nendo’s designs to feel these small ” ! ” moments intuitively.That’s nendo’s job. Some of Nendo’s most prominent projects include: Tenri Station Plaza CoFuFun, Tenri, Japan Kaleidoscopic Ivy, Japan kojimachi terrace, Tokyo, Japan Stairway House, Tokyo, Japan Roof and Mushrooms Pavilion, Kyoto, Japan The following statistics helped Nendo achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 13 Total Projects 17 5. EA Research and Design Office / Takeru Shoji © Isamu Murai Our desire is not just to create a living space to solve the changing needs of a house, commercial area, or public spaces, but to also create a living environment that makes those in it by the sole fact of being in it, and those who see it, happy. I want not only those owning and residing in the building, but those living by or just passing by it to feel moved and feel the unique characteristic of the building. It is more important to me to create an “open” environment with my designs than the actual building themselves. My meaning of the word “open” is a place that is well suited for people, and allows them, as human beings, a comfortable place and time to just be. Some of EA Research and Design Office / Takeru Shoji’s most prominent projects include: Hara House, Nagaoka, Japan YNS, Nishi Ward, Niigata, Japan Wow! Sta., Niigata, Japan sa house, Japan Shiro house, Narayama, Akita, Japan The following statistics helped EA Research and Design Office / Takeru Shoji achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 2 Featured Projects 14 Total Projects 18 4. Fujiwaramuro Architects © Fujiwaramuro Architects Fujiwara Muro Architects was established in 2022 by Shintaro Fujiwara and Yoshio Muroi in Osaka, Japan. The firm focuses on designing compact residences with great views. Some of Fujiwaramuro Architects’ most prominent projects include: House in Tsurumi-ku, Osaka, Japan House in Mukainada, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan House in Minami-Tanabe, Osaka, Japan House in Muko, Muko, Japan Tiny House in Kobe, Kobe, Japan The following statistics helped Fujiwaramuro Architects achieve 4th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: Featured Projects 21 Total Projects 46 3. HIBINOSEKKEI+youjinoshiro © HIBINOSEKKEI+youjinoshiro Main services of ‘Youji no Shiro’ are designs and surveillances of buildings, renovation and interiors of preschools. We also provide branding consultation services for preschools. ‘Youji no Shiro’, which means ‘The Castle for Children’ in Japanese, is the name of a section of Hibino Sekkei Architecture, based in Kanagawa, Japan. The company was founded in 1972 and had launched the section that specializes in the design of spaces for children in 1991, reflecting the rapidly altering social situation. By that time, the declining birth rate had become a serious issue in Japan. With fewer children continuing to develop, we became to think that existing preschool architecture where classrooms of same sizes and shapes were lined up weren’t just right. Some of HIBINOSEKKEI+youjinoshiro’s most prominent projects include: SH Kindergarten and Nursery, Toyama, Japan Hanazono Kindergarten and Nursery, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan KB Primary and Secondary School, Sasebo, Japan KM Kindergarten and Nursery, Izumi, Japan OM Nursery, Ibaraki, Japan The following statistics helped HIBINOSEKKEI+youjinoshiro achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 4 A+Awards Finalist 7 Featured Projects 26 Total Projects 68 2. NIKKEN SEKKEI © Harunori Noda [Gankohsha］ At Nikken Sekkei, we take an integrated approach to our projects as a professional service firm. Across all in-house disciplines of architectural design: urban design, research, planning and consulting — our teams work collaboratively to deliver better solutions for clients. Some of NIKKEN SEKKEI’s most prominent projects include: Showa Gakuin Elementary School West Wing, Ichikawa, Japan JR Kumamoto Railway Station Building, Kumamoto, Japan Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan On the water, Nikko, Japan Yamato Konan Building, Tokyo, Japan The following statistics helped NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 3 A+Awards Finalist 9 Featured Projects 25 Total Projects 45 1. Kengo Kuma and Associates © Daici Ano Kengo Kuma was born in 1954. He established Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990. He is currently a University Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo after teaching at Keio University and the University of Tokyo. KKAA projects are currently underway in more than 50 countries. Kengo Kuma proposes architecture that opens up new relationships between nature, technology, and human beings. His major publications include Kengo Kuma Onomatopoeia Architecture Grounding (X-Knowledge), Nihon no Kenchiku (Architecture of Japan, Iwanami Shoten), Zen Shigoto (Kengo Kuma – the complete works, Daiwa Shobo), Ten Sen Men (Point Line Plane, Iwanami Shoten), Makeru Kenchiku (Architecture of Defeat, Iwanami Shoten), Shizen na Kenchiku (Natural Architecture, Iwanami Shinsho), Chii-sana Kenchiku (Small Architecture, Iwanami Shinsho) and many others. Some of Kengo Kuma and Associates’ most prominent projects include: Teahouse in Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Canada Featured image: Botanical Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia V&A Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom Darling Square, Sydney, Australia MASSIMODECARLO Pièce Unique, Paris, France The following statistics helped Kengo Kuma and Associates achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan: A+Awards Winner 5 A+Awards Finalist 2 Featured Projects 29 Total Projects 49 Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking? With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year. Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York. An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted A Guide to Project Awards The blue “+” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award. The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status: Project completed within the last 3 years A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value High quality, in focus photographs At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings Inclusion of construction photographs There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.     We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com. The post 30 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Japan appeared first on Journal.