Who's the World's Leading Architect? The Answer Isn't So SimpleSponsored ContentSave this picture!Himalaya Designer Office Workplace by Roy HuAt some point, you might have found yourself pondering, "Who is the world's leading architect?" It's a difficult question, but fortunately, there isn't just one definitive answer. If you're curious about the global state of the art, architecture, and design industries, the World Design Rankings (WDR) offer an interesting glimpse into the creative pulse of nations. These rankings don't just name names; they paint a broad picture of each country's strengths, weaknesses, and untapped potential in the world of design. For 2023-2024, WDR has unveiled its latest rankings, providing a wealth of insights for journalists, economists, and policymakers alike. At the top of the table is China with a number one spot out of 114 countries and regions, boasting an impressive haul of 130 Platinum A' Design Awards. Hot on its heels are the United States, Japan, Italy, Hong Kong, Great Britain, Taiwan, Turkey, Germany, and Portugal.The rankings go beyond a mere leaderboard. WDR's Design Business Insights feature digs deeper, breaking down performance across categories such as industrial design, interior design, fashion design, and more. For each country, three additional tables reveal strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities, offering a detailed roadmap for understanding and improving design potential. These insights can guide policymakers in identifying industries ripe for growth or in need of strategic investment and subsidies.While the A' Design Award rankings themselves make for compelling reading, the true magic lies in the works that earned these accolades. After all, what's a design ranking without the designs themselves?So, if you're looking to get inspiredor simply want to see what's shaping the global design landscapedelve into the works behind the past winners of the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category.A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2023 - 2024 Period WinnersArtsy D9 Office by IMPLMNT ArchitectsThe project operates as a multi-functional space, seamlessly transitioning between an office and contemporary art gallery. Throughout the day, it transforms based on use - from bustling work environment to vibrant art exhibit. Interaction is key; it's an inviting space, encouraging dialogue between visitors and creators. Key frames include flexible furniture, movable walls, which optimize the space.Save this picture!Save this picture!Looping Flower Ikebana Cultural Space by Ni Jie GuoIn designing the entire space, Ni Jie Guo dismantled the design based on the spirit of the flow of grass and moon: extracting elements from traditional Japanese architecture and transforming them into the modern architectural language, and exploring the relationship between structure and contemporary aesthetics with abstract Japanese features. So that it is not necessarily a traditional depiction but has a Japanese temper.Save this picture!Save this picture!Sunshine Rhythm Shared Space by Chiun Ju Interior DesignThe project is a shared space. The project strikes a balance between breakthrough and innovation. By reducing the amount of intricate carvings and embellishments, kept the aesthetics symmetrical to make the 4.2-meter-high space more grand. Gold panels and metal lines frame each area to create a depth of field. The copper metal lines are applied to the ceiling and flooring to achieve symmetry between the top and bottom.Save this picture!Save this picture!Chuan San Hao Train Hotpot by Yiming ZhuThe iconic green-skinned train, a symbol of China's railway passenger transport for 50 years, holds a nostalgic place in the memories of two generations. Concealed within the mixed-oil wood veneer are insulation materials and dual exhaust systems. The original train exterior is polished and repainted, preserving the authentic green-skinned train structure. Interior adjustments accommodate base settlement, and concealed ventilation ensures comfort. The carriage is enhanced with an intermediate space for connectivity, integrating air conditioning, kitchen, and exhaust systems seamlessly.Save this picture!Save this picture!Abu Dhabi Oasis Cafe by Bofa DesignThe site is a 50-year-old apartment located on the edge of an alleyway. The name of the project, 'Abu Dhabi Oasis Impression', comes from its distinctive West Asian style. The warmth of the interior is conveyed by the brand's signature color, dark orange, which links to the desert impression and is balanced by stylish stainless steel. The project is centered on the collision and cooperation between the old and the new. The bright and eye-catching colors bring vitality to the old apartment, while rustic textures with subtle layers add to the visual appeal.Save this picture!Save this picture!Sushi Koji Restaurant by Ryuji Kojo and Toshihiro ObataThe sushi restaurant was designed using natural materials. There is only an 8-seat counter where guests can enjoy the sushi while watching the chef's work. The scrap ginkgo wood used for the countertop was utilized for the sushi board and cutting board. Chairs designed with the grain of the wood in mind, walls covered with original Washi, and signboards made of maple plates dyed by iron mordant not only reduce the waste of resources, but also create a healing effect with the use of solid wood.Save this picture!Save this picture!Metro Salon by Kun-Sen ChangThe project is named 'Silky Glow' because of the uniform lighting warm color accents, and the round and curved imagery in the space. The designer adopted a 'minimalistSave this picture!Save this picture!Re Sauna by Masahiro YoshidaJapanese word "shinkan" means "deep stillness" and it expresses a way of falling into a complete silence. Therefore, Masahiro Yoshida focused their design on the sound and created a sauna space where one can relax in a tranquil environment. To achieve this, partition walls were extended to the attic and uneven finish materials were used. They also used lighting that corresponded in direction, intensity, and color.Save this picture!Save this picture!Dawn Home Residential House by Wei Ju TengThis is an old house built in 1975, originally used as a dormitory for government employees, with local characteristics. By improving the spatial environment, using intelligent home system, and introducing the concept of "therapy and life at the same time" into the interior space, the design makes the old house suitable for "young Parkinson's disease" patients, and combines "tea mat aesthetics" to revitalize the old house to create new life, providing a five-sensory experience for the occupants and visitors.Save this picture!Save this picture!Lakeside Mansion Sales Office by Hangzhou Heyi Space Design Co., LtdLocated in Linping, Hangzhou, this sales center, with understated luxury as the design direction, carefully selects traditional cultural elements with local characteristics, including rain, architecture, landscape, etc., and makes some innovation, to create an artistic space catering to modern aesthetic tastes. It integrates modern metal technology with natural elements, leading to an atmosphere that is both luxurious and elegant.Save this picture!Save this picture!Himalaya Designer Office Workplace by Roy HuThe design of the office area attempts to deliver the flow in a modern space with diverse materials in a vague atmosphere, meanwhile strengthening the connections in the space in texture contrasts and collisions. Dark tone pervades the space, complemented by unique textures and lighting reminiscent of commercial spaces. This design rebels against the traditional conception of an office that features brightness in broad daylight and simple interiors.Save this picture!Save this picture!Andaman Resort by Kyan FooThe design is inspired by the surrounding environment, which refers to the Nineteen Peaks Scenic Area in Xinchang and the self-built houses with a rural style. The resort integrates with the Jiangnan style and the surrounding environment to become a part of the local context. The interior design is inspired by the natural mountains, water and stones of the Nineteen Peaks Scenic Area, the natural environment of the scenic area is brought into the space through the application of materials and abstract techniques, and then the overall space texture is enhanced by the embellishment of artworks.Save this picture!Save this picture!Yueji Diffuse Space Meditation Room by Haibo LiuThe designer chose the most primitive materials, using visual and tactile senses to feel the beauty of nature, providing an immersive experience and arousing people's emotions. The essence of Yueji Diffuse Space is to design a tranquil and pure, but exceedingly warm and real space. Its purpose is to provide a space for people to relax their spirits, including spiritual rehab, tea ceremony and yoga. Customer wants this space to be a more inclusive one, rather than confined to a certain type.Save this picture!Save this picture!Wagamachi Sauna and Bar by Shunsuke OheThe facility has a public sauna, a private sauna and a bar. The entire space has a feel reminiscent of a high-end hotel, but with a futuristic, edgy and impactful finish. The overall atmosphere is dark and gives the sensation of being transported to an extraordinary world of another dimension. The public and private zones are extraordinary spaces where visitors can immerse themselves in their own world, whether it is to relieve daily fatigue, to refresh their mood or for pleasure.Save this picture!Save this picture!To quickly register for the upcoming A'Design competition, please follow this link.Image gallerySee allShow lessCite: "Who's the World's Leading Architect? The Answer Isn't So Simple" 08 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024785/whos-the-worlds-leading-architect-the-answer-isnt-so-simple&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Foster + Partners BDO Unibank Campus Breaks Ground in Manila, PhilippinesSave this picture!BDO Unibank Inc. Campus - The sheltered ground plane incorporates lush planting and an array of artworks. Image Foster + PartnersFoster + Partners has announced the breaking ground of BDO Unibank's new headquarters in Makati, Manila. The design aims to offer a climate-responsive approach inspired by vernacular architecture. The campus integrates five separate plots into a cohesive whole, featuring two high-rise towers flanking a sheltered public space incorporating lush landscaping and artwork.Save this picture!The building's massing employs a stepped-back profile, incorporating triple-story amenity spaces with outdoor terraces at each setback. This design prioritizes views and employee well-being, while an integrated urban farm contributes to a farm-to-table approach in the staff canteen. Extensive solar analysis informed the faade design, utilizing woven metal mesh screens inspired by traditional weaving patterns to provide shading and create a soft illuminated effect at night.Save this picture!From a structural perspective, the exterior exoskeleton, positioned to shade the faades, creates column-free interior spaces and supports external solar shading screens. This approach also improves the structure's resistance to seismic activity. A lightweight construction system reduces concrete usage by over 65,000 tons, contributing to the building's overall sustainability. Related Article The 25 Most Anticipated Projects of 2025 In addition to the reduced use of concrete, the project incorporates a range of measures to improve its impact on the environment, including a 40%+ reduction in operational energy, over 70% potable water recycling, and radiant cooling systems. The proposal aims to achieve a Green Mark Super Low Energy certification, a first in the Philippines, and potentially a Net Zero Energy status in the future.Save this picture! The structure of the buildings is intentionally placed on the outside of their envelopes to actively shade the faades while achieving an efficient structural design in a seismic zone. The exoskeletons create column-free spaces internally and support external solar shading screens. - Roland Schnizer, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners Save this picture!In other similar news, Foster + Partners has recently begun construction on a new mixed-use project within the Sanlin Riverside development in Shanghai. The office is also expected to complete the construction of the Sheikh Zayed National Museum in Saadiyat Island's Cultural District in UAE this year, representing one of the most anticipated projects to be inaugurated in 2025.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Maria-Cristina Florian. "Foster + Partners BDO Unibank Campus Breaks Ground in Manila, Philippines" 08 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025464/foster-plus-partners-bdo-unibank-campus-breaks-ground-in-manila-philippines&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Stack CommerceShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more Every app claims to save you time, but heres one that actually does. It turns your phone into a personal assistant capable of digitizing receipts, doing your math homework, and editing documents. College students, anyone dreading tax season, and remote workers will get a kick out of iScanner.You can try the app for free, but unlocking the full, ad-free experience normally costs $19.99 per year. Instead, you could grab an iScanner lifetime subscription for $27.99 with code FESTIVE30 at checkout and save a fortune (reg. $199.90). This offer ends January 12.Simply tax season or daily work lifeIts already that time of year when you have to start thinking about filing your taxes. You might have to digitize employer forms, receipts, and other documents, and this document scanning app would mean you finally have an easy way to do it.Instead of using a printer scanner that barely works (or borrowing the one at your office), just hold your iPhone or iPad above the page, and it automatically captures an image. AI tools adjust borders and straighten pages for a perfect scan.Scanning everyday documents is also a breeze. iScanner has a suite of PDF tools you might use to sign documents, add text, insert images, or merge files.Students, dont think we forgot about you. Capture a page of complex math problems for iScanner to solve, take a picture of objects to count, or upload a photo to calculate object length or area.Get lifetime access to this mobile scanner app for $27.99 with code FESTIVE30 at checkout (reg. $199.90) until January 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT.StackSocial prices subject to change.iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription $27.99 with code FESTIVE30See Deal

Nature, Published online: 08 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-04019-4Students struggle to make ends meet despite recent boosts to federal scholarships, study finds.

Nature, Published online: 08 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00014-5A century ago, physics had its Darwinian moment a change in perspective that was as consequential for the physical sciences as the theory of evolution by natural selection was for biology.

Nature, Published online: 08 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-04215-2Studies reveal how risky play can benefit child development. But encouraging it can be a challenge for parents.

A woman with a known nut allergy had a severe allergic reaction after sex, even though her partner bathed and brushed his teeth first. Here's why.

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AT CES 2025, Microsoft VP of Next Generation Jason Ronald teased a refreshed user experience for Windows handheld gaming PCs: one that could combine the best aspects of its operating system and Xbox. While Windows 11 allows for more choice--users can access Steam, Epic Games Store, and several other marketplaces--it can be a chore to use because it is natively designed for PCs and laptops--not handheld systems with much smaller screens."We've been really innovating for a long time in the console space, and as we partner across the industry it's really about how do we bring those innovations that we've incubated and developed in the console space and bring them to PC and bring them to the handheld gaming space," Ronald said an AMD and Lenovo event (via The Verge). "I would say it's bringing the best of Xbox and Windows together, because we have spent the last 20 years building a world-class operating system, but it's really locked to the console. What we're doing is we're really focused on how do we bring those experiences for both players and developers to the broader Windows ecosystem."Ronald explained that Microsoft aims to bring a console-like experience to handhelds and "make Windows great for gaming" on any device. Microsoft will have more details to share later in the year, Ronald said, adding that the idea is to move away from a Windows desktop setup on handhelds and toward a "gaming-centric" experience.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Final Fantasy VII is among the most beloved entries in the series, but could there one day be another film adaptation? Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase said in an interview recently that, although nothing is "officially planned," he's aware of the game's appeal in Hollywood.Kitase told Danny Pena that he's "seen and heard about various Hollywood directors and actors playing Final Fantasy VII, and many creators respect the title."Kitase added: "I've been hearing things about creators out there who are very interested in the property who love the Final Fantasy 7 universe. And so, yeah, personally, I would love to see something come out of these creators in terms of a cinematic or some kind of visual piece."Continue Reading at GameSpot