Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Start your entry today, and take advantage of the Early Entry prices! Did you know that the name Archigram derives from the words Architecture + Telegram? The popular magazine was initially produced in 1961 in London. Its primary objective was to critique and overturn the strict modernist dogma that was dominant at that time through a series of unbuilt speculative architectural projects. Peter Cook (the dynamic can-do optimist and spokesman), David Greene (the poet, pessimist, elusive dreamer and devastating critic) and Mike Webb (the hermit-like artist and design genius) were the pioneers of the magazine, followed in the second issue by Ron Herron (the positive, hands-on designer), Dennis Crompton (the back-room fixer) and Warren Chalk (the catalyst of ideas). Plindberg, Plug-In City, CC BY 2.0 As the magazine gained popularity, the six of them worked on a series of speculative projects, drawing reference from the technologies of the “Space Race.” The Walking City, Plug-in City, Instant City and Tune City for instance, were architectural proposals comprised of pods, capsules, megastructures and infrastructures that challenged conventional buildings and proposed new modes of inhabitation and technology. Plug-in City stood as a flexible framework upon which structures were slotted in. Instant City was a mobile technological structure that “visited” underdeveloped towns in an attempt to boost their cultural fabric, leaving behind advanced technological “plugs”. The Walking City is set within a post-apocalyptic urban setting, where cities are in ruins. It roams freely through the landscape and is comprised of intelligent robots and pods standing as a literal (and visual) interpretation of Le Corbusier’s aphorism that a house was a ‘machine for living in.’ Dune House by Studio Vural, Unbuilt Archigram’s agenda was to critique the modernist principles that were, at that time, considered outdated and austere. The British avant-garde group delved into the post-war consumer culture, fetishized newly developed technological gadgets, employed merchandising concepts such as expandability and deliberate uselessness and most importantly gave the power of choice to the everyday consumer. Suddenly, a profession that was primarily based on notions of function, permanence and good taste, gave way to personal freedom and subjectivity. Architecturally, the speculative projects were focused mostly on structures and their countless possibilities, rather than designing stationary rooms that left little to the imagination. In Modern Movements in Architecture, architectural critic and historian Reyner Banham wrote, “The strength of Archigram’s appeal stems from many things (…) But chiefly it offers an image-starved world a new vision of the city of the future, a city of components on racks, components in stacks, components plugged into networks and grids, a city of components being swung into place by cranes.” Pleurotus Tower by hourdesign.ir, Unbuilt Archigram’s influence during the second half of the 2oth century is largely attributed not only to their unorthodox proposals and the disruption of the status quo but also due to the medium through which the group chose to communicate their ideas. Specifically, by utilizing popular culture and presenting their projects through a comic-book style format (via collages and watercolor paintings) they immediately turned their work into an accessible visual narrative. Instead of producing dry architectural drawings that followed standard conventions, they chose to employ photomontage, air brush and psychedelic graphic techniques, heavily influenced by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and James Rosenquist. Archigram’s success is attributed to the intentional fusion of careful architectural critique and stunning imagery. They operated at a time when architectural discourse was stifled and needed a new radical approach, both in terms of representation and attitude towards design. I would argue that today we are at a similar impasse. Ironically, the post-war consumer culture that Archigram celebrated has now become a burden for the evolution of cities: uncontrolled urban sprawl, overpopulation and profit-driven developments are some of the most challenging issues architects are currently facing. Consequently, the need for speculation, exploration and vision is more pressing than ever. Parus Center st. Petersburg by The Svetozar Andreev Studio / Hotei-Russia, Unbuilt On a final note, I would like to point out a potential pitfall associated with speculative architecture projects. With such advanced digital tools in our disposal, architects may fall into the rabbit hole of producing stunning visualizations, structures and forms, without however addressing any contemporary urgencies simply relying on aesthetic criteria. This, risks reducing speculative architecture to a mere exercise in visual indulgence — detached from the very real socio-political, environmental, and economic challenges we are meant to engage with. While representation is undeniably powerful, it should serve as a means to provoke critical discourse, not a substitute for it. In this light, the most impactful visions are those that not only captivate the eye but also confront the complexities of our time with depth, relevance and responsibility. This year, Architizer’s Vision Awards recognize this very urgency, celebrating radical ideas that go beyond aesthetic experimentation to meaningfully shape the future of the built environment. By inviting imaginative urban solutions, groundbreaking housing models, and speculative public architecture, the awards champion projects that use visionary thinking as a springboard for innovation. Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Start your entry today, and take advantage of the Early Entry prices! Register for the Vision Awards Featured Image: “ECO LOOP” COAF SMART Campus in Armavir by URBAN UNIT Architecture, Unbuilt The post Where are the Archigrams of the 21st Century? appeared first on Journal.

Got a project that’s too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, The Early Entry period is underway — start your entry today. Passive climate strategies are not merely technical solutions to environmental challenges. They are also drivers of spatial experience, emphasizing how elements like brise-soleil, louvered façades, and climate-responsive canopies are not just performative but also generative, giving rise to form, atmosphere and sensory depth. When thoughtfully designed, these strategies become expressive tools to orchestrate light, shade and temperature to create spaces that are both climate-responsive and emotionally resonant. Local cultural references frequently inform these strategies across different climates and settings. Integrating environmentally friendly design with cultural elements enhances both comfort and functionality, while also reinforcing a project’s identity and presence within the urban landscape. The examples illustrated below reveal how environmentally responsive architecture can transcend practical considerations. By strategically utilizing materials, forms, and environmental simulations, these designs achieve a harmonious blend of performance and aesthetics. Each design invites occupants to engage with their surroundings in nuanced, sensory ways. Microlibrary Warak Kayu By SHAU, Semarang, Indonesia Popular Winner, 2020 A+Awards Microlibrary Warak Kayu by SHAU. Semarang, Indonesia. Exterior view. | Photo by KIE. Microlibrary Warak Kayu by SHAU. Semarang, Indonesia. Detail views. | Photos by KIE. Microlibrary Warak Kayu by SHAU. Semarang, Indonesia. Building section, construction detail, and environmental diagram. | Courtesy of SHAU. The Microlibrary Warak Kayu embraces the climate with its openness, materials, and form, all combined to create a space that is contemplative and comfortable. The structure is nothing like a conventional library, but rather, it feels like a pavilion. It is raised on posts, evoking the traditional rumah panggung houses. At ground level, the library provides a shaded area for gatherings, playing, and educational activities. The library itself is a sanctuary of filtered air and natural light, emphasizing climate responsiveness. The use of local materials and the incorporation of cultural references result in a beautifully crafted structure that is engaging and conducive to learning. The building’s envelope features a distinctive brise soleil inspired by the Zollinger roof (or lamella structure) construction system, built entirely from FSC-certified timber. It also evokes the plumage of the mythical Warak Ngendog. But the feather-inspired design is not merely symbolic; it is also performative. Sunlight filters through the porous timber lattice, casting dappled patterns that drift across the interior surfaces, shifting subtly with the movement of the day. Without relying on mechanical systems, the library remains cool and well-lit, proving that thoughtful passive strategies can shape architecture that is both resourceful and enriching. The Future of Us Pavilion By SUTD Advanced Architecture Laboratory, Singapore The Future of Us Pavilion by SUTD Advanced Architecture Laboratory. Singapore. Exterior view. | Photo by Lim Weixiang. The Future of Us Pavilion by SUTD Advanced Architecture Laboratory. Singapore. Interior view. | Photo by Koh Sze Kiat. The Future of Us Pavilion in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay was originally constructed for Singapore’s 50th-anniversary exhibition. It has since become a permanent landmark that merges architectural innovation with environmental responsiveness. At the heart of its design is an undulating, cloud-like shell formed from thousands of perforated aluminum panels with varying porosity levels. This design is integral to how the structure functions, providing structural efficiency and, at the same time, passively regulating natural ventilation and daylighting. Underneath the canopy, the interplay of light and shadow creates a dynamic, immersive environment that evokes the experience of walking under a tree canopy. The canopy’s design is undoubtedly performative, but its effect is deeply sensory. The Future of Us Pavilion exemplifies what climate responsiveness means in public architecture, where passive design strategies enhance the atmosphere, merging environmental awareness and spatial richness. Queen Alia International Airport By Foster + Partners, Amman, Jordan Queen Alia International Airport by Foster + Partners. Amman, Jordan. Aerial view. | Photo by Nigel Young / Foster + Partners. Queen Alia International Airport by Foster + Partners. Amman, Jordan. Interior view. | Photo by Nigel Young / Foster + Partners. The Queen Alia International Airport is a shaded oasis shaped by the desert’s rhythms, skillfully balancing form, function, and cultural heritage. Its unique identity is defined by a vast network of shallow concrete domes that hover above the terminal like billowing clouds. The domes’ form is, however, inspired by the sweeping curves of Bedouin tents and the organic shape of palm fronds. Functionally, they absorb heat during the day and release it at night, minimizing temperature fluctuations and enhancing the building’s passive climate control system. The domes at the edges cantilever beyond the glass façades. They provide the interior spaces with shade, allowing the airport to remain comfortable in the harsh Jordanian climate with minimal reliance on mechanical systems. The interior feels serene, with natural light filtering through petal-shaped gaps between domes. It also feels open yet structured by a modular grid of columns. The Queen Alia International Airport is an architectural reflection of its place and climate. Through its effective passive strategies and the minimalistic use of materials and textures, it offers travelers a moment of respite rooted in Jordan’s culture and climate. Headquarters of Métropole Rouen Normandie By Ferrier Marchetti Studio, Rouen, France Headquarters of Métropole Rouen Normandie by Ferrier Marchetti Studio. Rouen, France. Exterior view. | Photo by Luc Boegly. Headquarters of Métropole Rouen Normandie by Ferrier Marchetti Studio. Rouen, France. Interior views. | Photos by Luc Boegly. The Headquarters of the Métropole Rouen Normandie project is situated along the Seine River. Its orientation and shape are thoughtfully planned to optimize natural light, ventilation, and thermal comfort while ensuring a strong presence in the urban landscape. The building features a bioclimatic double-glazed building envelope designed not just to enclose but also to breathe, filter, and glow. The inner layer incorporates operable windows and shading devices, allowing occupants to control their environment naturally. The outer layer consists of metal-oxide-treated glass “scales” that give the building a colorful and iridescent appearance, much like fish scales. From the outside, the envelope reflects the changing light of the Seine and the sky. Inside, the effect creates a nuanced and unexpected chromatic shimmer. The Headquarters of the Métropole Rouen Normandie demonstrates that climate and light can serve as tools for sustainability and aesthetics, enhancing not just energy efficiency but also the experience of building occupants. Got a project that’s too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, The Early Entry period is underway — start your entry today. The post Passive Form, Active Experience: Tectonics of Climate-Responsive Architecture appeared first on Journal.

Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open — click here to receive program updates. The 19th International Architecture Exhibition, also known as the Venice Architecture Biennale, will take place from Saturday, May 10, to Sunday, November 23, 2025. A special preview will be held on May 8 and 9, just before the main event starts. This year’s exhibition is curated by architect and engineer Carlo Ratti and is titled “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.” It focuses on how architecture can help us respond to the growing climate crisis. As Ratti explains, “In the time of adaptation, architecture needs to draw on all forms of intelligence — natural, artificial, collective.” This means that instead of only trying to prevent climate problems, architects now need to help people and cities adjust to a changing world. That requires new ways of thinking and working together across different fields. Under that vision, the Venice Architecture Biennale will feature 66 national pavilions and over 750 participants from around the world, showing how teamwork and shared knowledge are key to building more sustainable and stronger cities. This year, we will also see the first participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Sultanate of Oman, Togo, and Qatar. Padiglione Centrale, Giardini, Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia In addition to the main exhibition, many extra events will be organized by institutions that examine architectural topics beyond national pavilions. Some of the most interesting collateral events include “Catalonia in Venice_Water Parliaments” by Institut Ramon Llull, which looks at eco-friendly architecture, and UNESCO’s “Deep Surfaces” at Palazzo Zorzi, showing how architecture helps protect cultural heritage. Other highlights include a project by Jean Nouvel at Fondazione Giorgio Cini and Taiwan’s exhibition “NON-Belief: Taiwan Intelligens of Precarity” at Palazzo delle Prigioni, which explores the idea of living in uncertain conditions. So, we’re really looking forward to this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale. There’s a lot to see, and while we recommend checking out the full program on the official website, here are a few national pavilions that already stand out to us. United States of America Photo by Timothy Hursley. Folsom, Alabama. Courtesy of “PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity” Co-Commissioners. At the Giardini venue, “PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity,” curated by Peter MacKeith from the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas, explores the timeless architectural and cultural significance of the American porch, showcasing its continued relevance as a space for connection, inclusivity, and civic engagement. The porch also will serve as a venue for a series of events, such as performances, readings, and workshops, and will also feature a new porch structure designed by a team of well-known architects and designers: Marlon Blackwell Architects, Stephen Burks Man Made, D.I.R.T Studio, and TEN x TEN Studio, AIA, RA. Bulgaria Photo by Iassen Markov. Pseudonature, 2025. Concept image. The Bulgaria Pavilion, titled “Pseudonature,” is curated by Iassen Markov and designed as an experimental installation positioned at the intersection of nature and technology, reality, and simulation. The installation contains both indoor and outdoor elements. Outside, physical interventions disrupt natural balances, highlighting the fragile interplay between technology and the environment. Inside, the space evolves into a setting for contemplation, where restoring equilibrium becomes a collective and introspective challenge. Japan Concept image of the renovation of the Japan Pavilion in Venice by AI. Visuals by Asako Fujikura and Takahiro Ohmura. The Japan Pavilion, curated by Jun Aoki, will focus on artificial intelligence in architecture, emphasizing the concept of the in-between. The pavilion will feature exhibitors such as Tamayo Iemura, Asako Fujikura + Takahiro Ohmura , and SUNAKI (Toshikatsu Kiuchi and Taichi Sunayama). The exhibitions will explore the increasing autonomy of AI in the design world and raise questions about human and machine intelligence. The exhibition program includes installations, spatial studies, and generative AI experiments.The design of the pavilion is structured as an active experiment, where its architectural components- including the Hole, Wall Columns, Outer Walls, Brick Terrace, Pensilina, Tilted Loop Path, and Yew Tree- are positioned as interactive participants. Iceland Photo by Iceland Design Centre. Lavaforming Iceland. The Iceland pavilion, titled “Lavaforming” and curated by Arnhildur Pálmadótti, focuses on creating sustainable building materials from controlled lava flows. The pavilion explores the country’s geological conditions, volcanic activities, and lava fields. Most interestingly, the pavilion sees lava not as destructive but as a renewable resource for construction. This concept envisions using lava flows as foundational material for buildings, significantly reducing environmental impact by avoiding harmful mining practices and leveraging nature’s power. United Arab Emirates Photo by Ola Allouz. Pressure Cooker, 2024. Courtesy of National Pavilion UAE – La Biennale di Venezia. The National Pavilion UAE, Pressure Cooker, curated by Emirati architect Azza Aboualam, it examines the link between architecture and food production, proposing sustainable food systems. The exhibition focuses on design, sustainability, and resource management in arid areas. Through research and fieldwork, pavilion will highlight food infrastructure in resource-rich landscapes. It reimagines both traditional and modern food production techniques, addressing food security and climate change. By exploring architecture’s role in food resilience, the exhibition envisions sustainable food systems in urban and rural settings. Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open — click here to receive program updates. Top image: Overview Arsenale, Photo by Andrea Avezzù, Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia The post 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale: 5 Pavilions to Explore Before Visit appeared first on Journal.

Join the world’s largest celebration of architectural concepts, images and ideas — and see your work published in print and online! Now open for entries, Architizer’s Vision Awards recognizes the radical ideas shaping the future of the built environment. This prestigious awards program celebrates outstanding architectural visions, with accolades dedicated to the year’s best conceptual architecture, renderings, photography, video, drawings, models and more. Whether your work encompasses an entire conceptual project or a single image, your vision deserves to be recognized — what matters most is the clarity, imagination and creative vision behind the work. Get started on your submission today, and complete it before Midnight PT on May 9th, 2025 to secure your Early Bird discount: Enter the Vision Awards See Your Work Published in Print and Online The Vision Awards are hosted by Architizer.com, the largest online community of architects in the world, with an audience 7+ million strong. Entries are judged by distinguished industry luminaries in a variety of disciplines, as well as by Architizer’s editorial team. Finalists and winners will be recognized as the year’s most influential architectural visionaries in their respective fields and receive year-round recognition for their work. The Vision Awards provides a unique opportunity to see your work published in our upcoming print publication, How to Visualize Architecture, an essential guide to architectural storytelling for design professionals around the globe. Stay tuned for more details on this brand new book! Winners will also receive: Global editorial coverage: Inclusion in the Winners Announcement and The Visionary 100 on Architizer.com, providing lifelong visibility for your work. Social media spotlight: See your work shared with an audience of 4.75M+ across Architizer’s social media channels. Official Winner’s Certificate and digital badges to promote and celebrate your status as a visionary in architecture. Start My Entry New Categories for Conceptual Projects, Visionary Firms and More The 2025 Vision Awards will highlight the industry’s boldest architectural concepts, ideas and imagery, rewarding architecture firms and industry specialists for their storytelling abilities and visual communication. The program’s expanded range of categories is designed to celebrate a diverse range of architectural visions, from single images to full projects, through a variety of typologies and mediums. The Ark Shanghai Cement Factory Warehouse Renovation by MAD Architects, Shanghai, China | Jury Winner, Unbuilt Sustainable Non-Residential Project, 12th Annual A+Awards More than 50 accolades will celebrate visionary firms and creative professionals through three main category groups: The Concept, Vision and Visionary categories. Concept Categories: Celebrating Pioneering Unbuilt Projects The Concept Categories showcase unbuilt works, planned projects and visions for the future of architecture in six images or less through a variety of creative mediums. Examples include: Visions for Housing: Unbuilt projects that propose new models for living — whether through innovative construction methods, co-living solutions, affordable housing strategies, or net-zero residential design. Vision for Nature: Unbuilt projects that explore new relationships between the built and natural worlds—whether through biomimetic structures, regenerative ecosystems, or nature-integrated urbanism. Vision for Small Spaces: Unbuilt projects that maximize efficiency, adaptability, and livability in small-scale architecture—whether through micro-housing, prefabrication, or modular urban infill solutions. Explore Concept Categories  Jamsu Bridge Pedestrianization by Arch Mist, Seoul, South Korea | Special Mention, Unbuilt Transportation, 12th Annual A+Awards Vision Categories: Honoring Outstanding Architectural Representation The Vision Categories are designed to celebrate standout single images or videos across every creative discipline: Renderings, photography, video, drawing and models. Examples include: Photorealistic Rendering: Computer-generated visualizations and renderings that depict architecture in a compelling and highly detailed way. Black & White Photograph: Monochrome photographs that reveal the essence of architectural space, emphasizing composition, contrast, and material qualities. Making Of Videos: Films that document the making of architecture, from concept to completion. Hand-Drawing: Hand-drawn architectural drawings that skillfully communicate space, structure, or detail. Concept Model: Models that represent early-stage design thinking—whether abstract massing studies, parametric experiments, or material-driven explorations. See the Vision Categories Philippe Sarfati, Photographer of the Year, Professional Winner, Inaugural Vision Awards Visionary Categories: Spotlighting the World’s Best Architectural Creators Honoring innovative design firms and creators demonstrating excellence in architectural representation and ideation in each of architecture’s core creative disciplines. Examples include: Architectural Photographer of the Year Rendering Artist of the Year Architectural Videographer of the Year Architectural Illustrator of the Year Architectural Visionary of the Year Together, the Vision Awards Winners will form a vibrant international exhibition that spotlights the world’s most innovative thinkers in architecture — a source of inspiration for clients and collaborators alike. Explore Visionary Categories Multiple Ways to Win For each Vision Awards category, two accolades are up for grabs: The Jurors’ Choice Award, selected by an expert jury of industry experts and thought leaders, and the Editors’ Choice Award, selected by Architizer’s Editorial Team from the shortlisted nominees in each category. The shortlisted nominees will comprise up to five top-scoring entries, as marked by the Vision Awards jury. Front of House:Back of House by John Muggenborg Architectural Photography | Studio Winner, Interior photography, Inaugural Vision Awards The Vision Awards boasts a multidisciplinary panel of jurors that comprises influential figures in the fields of architecture, design, technology, film and beyond, all of whom have a passion for visualizing our built environment. Submitting an entry provides an excellent chance for your work to be showcased to those who are shaping the future of architecture and how it is perceived by the world.  Select jurors include: Steven Holl, Founder, Steven Holl Architects Keely Colcleugh, Founder and CEO, Kilograph Ema Peter, Principal & Owner, Ema Peter Photography Bless Yee, Project Architect, DLR Group Carlotta Cominetti, Co-Founder, VirginLemon Marcelo Coehlo, Head of Design, Formlabs Arjun Desai and Katherine Chia, Founders, Desai Chia Architecture Explore the Jury Entrants can also opt in to the Editor’s “Best of the Year” Awards, for which Architizer’s editors will develop a shortlist and award one “Best of the Year” accolade in each of the six main category groups (drawing, model, rendering, photograph, video and architectural concept). Join an Illustrious List of Architectural Visionaries Large-scale section model of ‘The Tip of Nordø‘ by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects | Special Mention, Physical Models, Inaugural Vision Awards The Winners of the inaugural Vision Awards reads like a who’s-who of architectural ideas — they include: CEBRA architecture, innovative Denmark-based architecture firm Refik Anadol, renowned media artist with work exhibited at MoMA Bruce Engel, international architect and photographer Brad Feinknopf, sought-after American architectural photographer Sordo Madeleno, preeminent Mexican architecture and design firm Leckie Studio Architecture + Design, progressive Canadian design studio Start Submission Demonstrate the Power of Architectural Representation 2 AC[COMMUN] by Tehran Platform | Special Mention, Unbuilt Multi Unit Housing (L>10 Floors) At Architizer, we have a profound appreciation for the art of architectural representation — after all, we wouldn’t be here without the extraordinary images uploaded to our platform every day. At their best, these photographs, videos, drawings, renderings and models communicate complex ideas about architecture with graceful simplicity, providing us with a lens through which to view our built environment with a fresh perspective. For this reason, the Vision Awards is a vital initiative, providing an opportunity to celebrate those creators who often go unrecognized despite their critical contribution to architecture. To be a part of it, get your entry started today, and share your architectural visions with the world. We can’t wait to see your work! Enter the 2025 Vision Awards Top photo by Kevin Scott, 2023 Vision Awards Finalist, Architectural Photographer of the Year The post Vision Awards 2025: Submit Your Best Architectural Visions for Global Recognition and Publication! appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters. “Entire House 3D Printed in 24 Hours,” “Robots Build Homes from Clay,” “World’s First 3D-Printed Neighborhood Launches.” Remember these headlines? Unless you were living under a rock (a real or 3D-printed one, it doesn’t really matter), you probably saw a few of them a couple of years back. For a moment, it seemed like 3D printing was about to revolutionize architecture. After all, it promised faster, cheaper and more sustainable construction at the push of a button. While the technology itself was not exactly new, this was the first time it was being taken seriously within the architecture world. Architects, engineers and tech enthusiasts alike described it as the new “it” tool of the built environment. But as we can clearly see today (most of us still not living in 3D-printed houses and all), the radical transformation promised by those early experiments never quite took hold — at least not in the way people expected. That doesn’t mean the technology vanished, though. In fact, it’s been doing something arguably more impactful: finding its place not in printing entire buildings, but in refining their details. This piece looks at how 3D printing entered the industry, why the early hype faded and how it’s now quietly (but successfully) proving its value in architectural design. 3D Printing Before It Was Cool https://blog.architizer.com/wp-content/uploads/Robot_3D_print_timelapse_on_RepRapPro_Fisher.webm.720p.vp9_.webm While it might’ve hit the architectural headlines in the 2010s, 3D printing has been around much longer. The technology first emerged in the 1980s as a tool for rapid prototyping in industrial design. Engineers used it to test product parts without the time and cost of traditional manufacturing. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was efficient, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become a game-changer across multiple industries. Throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, 3D printing quietly expanded its reach. Aerospace and automotive companies began using it to develop lightweight parts. The medical field started experimenting with custom implants and prosthetics. Product designers loved it for the freedom it gave them to iterate quickly and test complex forms without expensive tooling. Svitlana Lozova, Architectural model printed with an Ultimaker 3D printer, CC BY-SA 4.0 Architecture, however, took a little longer to join the party. At first, 3D printing was mostly used behind the scenes for use cases like designing physical models, concept studies and competition entries. Still, at that point, it was a tool for visualization rather than construction. But as the machines got bigger and the materials more ambitious, architects started wondering what would happen if instead of just using this technology for printing models of buildings, they tried to use it for the real thing instead. This started with early experiments like small pavilions, robotic clay extrusions and concrete wall prototypes in labs, which sparked a wave of curiosity and speculation. It felt like the beginning of something major. And in a way, it was. The Rise and Fall of 3D-Printed Buildings Once 3D printing caught the architecture world’s attention, the ambitions got big. Fast. The idea of printing entire buildings was being seriously pitched as a solution to urgent, real-world problems. It was positioned as a fix for challenges like the demand for fast, low-cost housing in disaster zones and the growing need for modular units in rapidly expanding cities, offering quicker builds, minimal labor and less material waste. In 2017 construction company Apis Cor made headlines for printing a full house in just 24 hours using a mobile concrete printer. ICON, based in the U.S., focused on affordable housing, partnering with non-profits to 3D print homes in underserved communities. Meanwhile, WASP in Italy developed machines that extrude locally sourced clay to print organic, zero-waste structures, even experimenting with off-grid, village-scale living. The vision was bold and, for a while, genuinely exciting. But on the ground, the reality was more complicated. For one, materials posed a problem. Most printed structures relied on a type of extruded concrete or clay (both materials that aren’t always great at handling insulation, structural loads or weathering on their own). Add to that the need to manually integrate plumbing, electricity, windows and finishes, and suddenly the “fully automated build” doesn’t look so fully automated. Then there were regulatory issues. Building codes, zoning laws and permit processes were (and still are) created around traditional building methods. In many places, there simply wasn’t a framework to evaluate or approve a 3D-printed building. And finally, there was the aesthetic and design challenge. While the layered, ribbed look of extruded concrete had a certain novelty at first, it quickly became repetitive. Customization was possible, but expensive. In practice, most printed buildings ended up looking like variations of the same idea. So while the technology was promising, the systems around it weren’t ready to catch up. But the industry didn’t reject 3D printing; it just needed to figure out where it actually made sense. And as it turns out, that “sense” was hiding in the smaller, more intricate parts of buildings, not the shells themselves. From Printing Buildings to Perfecting the Details Ceramic House by Studio RAP, Amsterdam, Netherlands Ceramic House by Studio RAP, Amsterdam, Netherlands As the early excitement around large-scale 3D printing collided with reality, the limitations became clear. But instead of abandoning the technology, architects and researchers began applying it where it could be more effective: producing components rather than entire buildings. The shift moved 3D printing from structure to detail, where precision, variation and small-batch production are not just acceptable but often preferred. New Delft Blue by Studio RAP, Delft, Netherlands This change aligned well with computational design tools. Parametric workflows allowed architects to generate hundreds of variations of a part, adapting geometry and pattern in response to environmental or structural inputs. 3D printing made it feasible to fabricate these non-standard components without molds or extensive tooling. The result was a growing interest in using the technology for cladding panels, tiles, joints and other expressive building elements. Studio RAP has adopted this approach across multiple projects, using robotic 3D printing to produce ceramic façade systems with complex geometry. In New Delft Blue and Ceramic House, traditional glazing techniques are combined with digitally generated forms. Their other projects like Theater Zuidplein integrate ornamental surfaces and custom tiling directly into the architecture. HiLo Unit at NEST by ETH Zurich, Block Research Group, Dübendorf, Switzerland HiLo Unit at NEST by ETH Zurich, Block Research Group, Dübendorf, Switzerland At ETH Zurich, the Block Research Group has explored 3D printing in structural and formwork systems. The HiLo Unit at the NEST building used lightweight printed formwork to cast optimized concrete shells. In Striatus, a 3D-printed masonry bridge designed by Zaha Hadid Architects was assembled without reinforcement or mortar, relying on compression-based design. MX3D, known for robotic metal printing, created a full-scale pedestrian bridge in Amsterdam using printed steel components. The project demonstrated how metal additive manufacturing can be used for infrastructural elements with complex geometries. In each of these cases, 3D printing did not aim to replace conventional construction but to support it, allowing for complexity, custom fit and material precision where it adds the most value. A Quiet Success What 3D printing has proven, over time, is that it doesn’t need to overhaul the construction industry to be valuable. It just needed to find the right scale. After all, the details of a project that give it texture, identity, or subtle complexity can be just as important as the building itself. 3D printing enables a level of ornamentation and material specificity that modern construction methods often struggle to justify. Tiles can respond to daylight patterns. Joints can follow parametric logic. Surfaces can be shaped to suit their context without relying on mass production. Theater Zuidplein by Studio RAP, Rotterdam, Netherlands This approach reflects broader shifts in architecture. There is a move toward circular design, a renewed interest in local materials and techniques, and a reliance on digital workflows that embrace variation and responsiveness. In that context, 3D printing no longer feels like a futuristic gimmick. It is simply a tool being used with purpose. And as architectural practice continues to evolve, we’ll likely see even more creative, sustainable and integrated uses for 3D-printed details. Rest assured: the 3D printing revolution didn’t vanish. It just zoomed in. Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters. The post From Bold Promises to Subtle Precision: How 3D Printing Found Its Place in Architectural Detailing appeared first on Journal.

These annual rankings were last updated on April 18, 2025. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking. Being a transcontinental country, Georgia’s architecture reflects many civilization influences, with the most notable period being the medieval era. One example is the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its exquisite frescoes and architectural details. Among the luminaries of Georgian architecture are Victor Djorbenadze, known for his pioneering work in modernist architecture, and Zurab Tsereteli, whose monumental sculptures and architectural projects have earned international acclaim. After the Rose Revolution, which marked the end of the country’s Soviet era, Georgia became the epicenter for avant-garde architecture. New public architecture projects, such as the Peace Bridge by Michele De Lucchi and the House of Parliament by Alberto Domingo Cabo, introduced innovative ideas, forms and materials that reflected a fusion of global trends and local identity. Nowadays, Georgia continues to evolve with several infrastructural projects and numerous social housing schemes being implemented. Its most contemporary architectural “landmarks” are a series of public buildings, such as the Meama factory by Giorgi Khmaladze, which have emerged through carefully crafted designs, site-specific considerations and environmental awareness. 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 Georgia 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 Georgia architecture firms throughout the year. Without further ado, here are the 10 best architecture firms in Georgia: 10. DMARK Architectural Company © DMARK DMARK was founded in 2007 by Aleksandre Katsitadze, David Bakhtadze, Dimitri Modzmanishvili, Revaz Keshelashvili and Vladimer Abramishvili in Tbilisi, Georgia. The practice engages globally in providing solutions to contemporary architectural and urban issues. A highly collaborative, research-based design method involves clients, stakeholders and experts from a wide range of fields from early on in the creative process. The results are exemplary, outspoken projects, which enable our cities and landscapes to develop towards a better future. Some of DMARK Architectural Company’s most prominent projects include: Meskheti Drama Theatre Refurbishment, Tbilisi, Georgia Kvareli Lake Resort Hotel, Kvareli, Georgia The following statistics helped DMARK Architectural Company achieve 10th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 2 9. MUA Architecture & Placemaking © MUA Architecture & Placemaking MUA are a Tbilisi-based architectural office with more than 10 years of experience in Architecture, Urban and Spatial Design. Their work is a combination of constant dialogue with the environment, versatile exploration methods, a creative approach, and in-depth technical knowledge. The team believes in lateral thinking, which provokes the ability to perceive patterns that are not obvious. Their aim is to produce work beneficial to society. With thoroughly thought, human-centered, and bespoke architectural solutions and design, MUA transform spaces into places. Some of MUA Architecture & Placemaking’s most prominent projects include: MUA Getaway Place, Tbilisi, Georgia Fabrika Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia Green Cape Botanico, Batumi, Georgia Akhaldaba Private House, Georgia The following statistics helped MUA Architecture & Placemaking achieve 9th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 4 8. SEDUM.ARCHITECTS © SEDUM.ARCHITECTS SEDUM.ARCHITECTS is an architecture firm located in Tbilisi, Georgia, whose work is mostly centered around residential architecture and sustainable design. Some of SEDUM.ARCHITECTS’ most prominent projects include: ARAGVI 2 POWER HOUSE, Zemo Mleta, Georgia ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE CENTER, Tbilisi, Georgia TBILISI PARK HOTEL, Tbilisi, Georgia SKI AND YOGA RESORT, Gudauri, Georgia The following statistics helped SEDUM.ARCHITECTS achieve 8th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 4 7. Arestea © Arestea Arestea seeks to find specific material form for each new enterprise rather than to pursue the unified formal stylistic language. The power of expression based first of all on the personal strength of vision stands in a much higher rank of priorities than a mere development of a static professional signature. Architecture is seen as a process, experience of a space in the course of time based on the on the brain’s interpretation of sensory stimuli defined by the light. Some of Arestea’s most prominent projects include: Casa Alveo, Tbilisi, Georgia Villa Tsavkisi, Tsavkisi, Georgia Villa Alphea, Tbilisi, Georgia Eudeon – Glimpses of the Future City Marine Meadows The following statistics helped Arestea achieve 7th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 7 6. artytechs © artytechs Artytechs was founded in 2014. Since its establishment, the company has collaborated closely with both the public and private sectors, resulting in the successful implementation of numerous projects. The name of Artytechs has become synonymous with international architectural excellence, as the company has received multiple prestigious awards. Artytechs is known for its ability to create intricate and imaginative projects that surpass traditional architectural approaches. Some of artytechs’ most prominent projects include: Eliava Park, Tbilisi, Georgia Multi Functional Complex, Tbilisi, Georgia Multi-functional complex at Mtatsminda, Tbilisi, Georgia Hotel “Museum”, Tbilisi, Georgia Individual House , Saguramo, Georgia The following statistics helped artytechs achieve 6th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 7 5. SPECTRUM © SPECTRUM Founded in 2014, Spectrum represents fully integrated design build firm based in Tbilisi Georgia, operating in fields of Architecture, Interiors, Master planning that design and builds unique and bespoke projects. Company specializes in providing services in commercial and residential sectors. Team of talented designers, architects, builders and analysts strive to bring Client’s ideas into reality in a most efficient and innovative ways, preserving the environment and always considering the local tradition and context. Consolidated group of professionals committed to create and deliver world class solutions enriched with local traditions, context and latest technology. We aim to create long lasting values that embrace environmental impact, social and economical platforms with global reach and local context. We relish the challenges inherent across a wide range of work, engaging our expertise and agility to deliver lasting, meaningful design that brings value and contributes towards healthier planet. Some of SPECTRUM’s most prominent projects include: Pansheti Park, Stepantsminda, Georgia National Bank of Georgia HQ, Tbilisi, Georgia Aragvi Multifunctional Center, Tbilisi, Georgia Kazbegi Multifunctional Center Bountiful Clinic, Bountiful, UT, United States The following statistics helped SPECTRUM achieve 5th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 31 4. Laboratory of Architecture #3 © Giorgi Mamasakhlisi We are Laboratory of Architecture #3, a dynamic architecture firm dedicated to the exploration of practical and aesthetic dimensions of architecture. Some of Laboratory of Architecture #3’s most prominent projects include: Glarros Oldtown, Tbilisi, Georgia Terracotta pavilion house, Tbilisi, Georgia Zzip Honey shop, Tbilisi, Georgia Triangular House, Tbilisi, Georgia Fillet corner house, Tbilisi, Georgia The following statistics helped Laboratory of Architecture #3 achieve 4th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 17 3. STIPFOLD © STIPFOLD Investing creative power in architecture, design and various imaginative projects. The company’s unique name combines a simplified version of ‘Steep’, and ‘Fold’, conveying the idea of rejecting walls, floors and ceilings as separate entities, but rather continuation of each other, folding into one organism. Beka Pkhakadze, the founder, received his degree from the Architecture, Design and Urbanism faculty of Georgian Technical University and was put to practice at the local government institution for three years. During this period Beka was handling massive projects and was collaborating with international studios and foreign architects. Due to the change of regime, most projects were suspended and he decided to work independently and established his own firm, Steep Studio, at the age of 25. Some of STIPFOLD’s most prominent projects include: CURVIX, Batumi, Georgia SLASHBACK, Tskneti, Georgia LENVIX, Tbilisi, Georgia PAPER HOUSE, Tbilisi, Georgia RAXYSE, Tbilisi, Georgia The following statistics helped STIPFOLD achieve 3rd place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 3 Total Projects 11 2. MHD Group © MHD Group MHD Group is an architectural company in Georgia. Their work is mostly centered around residential architecture. Some of MHD Group’s most prominent projects include: Community Center in Udabno, Udabno, Georgia Public Registry Office, Tbilisi, Georgia Public Service Hall in Zestafoni, Georgia, Zestafoni, Georgia Public Service Hall In Khashuri, Georgia, Khashuri, Georgia Public Service Hall in Tianeti, Tianeti, Georgia The following statistics helped MHD Group achieve 2nd place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: Featured Projects 4 Total Projects 9 1. Khmaladze Architects © Khmaladze Architects Khmaladze Architects is an architecture and interior design studio engaged in projects of various scale and typologies. Projects range from complex multi-use developments, hotels & restaurants, offices, to high density residential buildings and private houses. The studio has successfully completed several complex projects and won high-profile international awards. Some of Khmaladze Architects’ most prominent projects include: Coffee Production Plant – Meama, Tbilisi, Georgia Featured image: Meama Collect – Beach, Batumi, Georgia Fuel Station + McDonalds, Sherif Khimshiashvili St, Batumi, Georgia Seaside Resort, Georgia Corner Pines, Tbilisi, Georgia The following statistics helped Khmaladze Architects achieve 1st place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Georgia: A+Awards Winner 8 Featured Projects 3 Total Projects 5 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 10 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Georgia appeared first on Journal.

Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. Positioned at the intersection between the arts, humanities and sciences, architecture is nowadays viewed as a discipline that requires rigorous training and a lengthy academic education to become a practicing architect. Still, throughout time, there have been many stories of individuals who succeeded within the profession without completing a formal education. These autodidacts (i.e., self-taught) architects were driven by pure curiosity, discipline and a desire to create, carving their own path into the built environment. Before introducing these unique figures, let’s look more closely at the concept of autodidacticism. This art of self-directed learning challenges the idea that mastery involves institutional validation. Even though architecture as a profession requires the obtainment of specific qualifications to become a licensed architect, the design itself remains a more fluid and open territory. In ancient times, architects were trained through the act of building and mentorship as well as through observation and practice. Today, the democratization of information through web platforms allows the dissemination of knowledge that was inaccessible in the past. Consequently, we need to ask a bigger question: is architecture a profession you can learn, or is it something you become? Frank Lloyd Wright Hervé GREGOIRE, Frank Lloyd Wright – Seacliff House, CC BY-SA 4.0 Perhaps the most famous American architect without a formal degree, Frank Lloyd Wright officially dropped out of the University of Wisconsin after completing only his first year. He was taught architecture mainly by working for other firms, most notably pursuing an apprenticeship in Adler & Sullivan, which provided the bedrock for later establishing his own future practice. His approach to formal education was always skeptical, claiming it was based primarily on past knowledge, thus encouraging self-discovery and a more individualistic approach toward architectural understanding. Tadao Ando Rory Hyde, Tadao Ando – Vitra Conference Pavilion, 1993, CC BY-SA 2.0 The Japanese Pritzker Prize-winning architect essentially self-directed his education by observing old Kyoto buildings. In his early years, mathematics and carpentry sparked his interest, thus inspiring him to pursue a path in architecture. However, because he could not afford architecture school, he decided to embark on a journey of self-education. By reading books, attending night classes, and studying buildings all around the world, he developed his own approach to architectural practice, eventually opening his own office in 1969. Peter Zumthor Gunnar Klack, 2005-08-06-Therme-Vals-Peter-Zumthor 08, CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2009 Pritzker Prize laureate “began” his education as a cabinetmaker, learning the craft next to his father. In 1963, he went to the Basel Arts and Crafts School to study, being taught “all the basics of design” by numerous Bauhaus teachers. He was introduced to concepts such as negative and white space, line and surface, color theory and the practice of drawing. He also attended New York’s Pratt Institute for a short amount of time to study industrial design and finally, he established his own practice in Switzerland in 1979. Similarly to Wright, Zumthor took pride in never receiving a formal architectural education, claiming that institutions now push for a more philosophical or artistic approach regarding the discipline, disregarding the actual business of making buildings. Eileen Gray ArtStor, ARTSTOR 103 41822003780648, CC BY-SA 4.0 The Irish furniture and interior designer and architect had a very sporadic educational experience. Apart from taking some painting classes at the Slade School of Fine Art, she learned the ropes of design through multiple collaborations and work opportunities. Specifically, in 1912, her lacquer-based work was informed by the owner of a lacquer shop in London, who showed her the tricks of the trade. Initially, she designed furniture and interiors; however, in her later years, she partnered with Jean Badovici to design the E-1027 house in France and eventually proceeded to create several other architectural works, such as the Tempe à Pailla in the French Riviera. Carlo Scarpa Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, Carlo Scarpa (Fondation Querini-Stampalia, Venise) (4200318180), CC BY 2.0 Known for his distinct approach towards design and space-making, the Italian architect attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, refusing to sit the required professional exam to become accredited. Not wanting to associate himself with another architect, he chose a solo career path at the Royal Superior Institute of Architecture, teaching architectural drawing. He then collaborated with glassmakers in Murano, designing jars and chandeliers for 15 years. Eventually, the renovation of the Museo Castelvecchio in Verona became the turning point for his architectural “status,” finally receiving formal recognition for his work. Exceptionalism and Exceptions These five “exceptions” serve as great inspiration in today’s professional setting. During the past decade, the relationship between formal architectural education and professional practice has been heavily criticized, potentially making these autodidactic paths more attractive than ever. The high educational costs, coupled with the uncertainty of the market and the low architecture salaries, have prompted many aspiring designers to seek alternative routes, which, in turn, acts as a wake-up call for the established institutional and professional system. Accessible knowledge, flexible learning, and the stories of self-taught architects remind us that mastery does not always require official validation but rather the ability to think critically and engage deeply with the world through observation and experimentation. Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. Featured Image: seier+seier, Carlo scarpa, palazzo steri entrance, palermo 1973-1978 (3578045838), CC BY 2.0 The post Alternative Credentials: How Self-Taught Architects Changed the Course of Design appeared first on Journal.

Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. Oscar Niemeyer’s legacy of sculptural, expressive modernism continues to influence contemporary Brazilian architecture. Today’s architects reinterpret Brazil’s most famous architects’ bold, fluid forms using modern technologies, materials and construction techniques, blending artistic expression with innovation. They adapt Niemeyer’s ethos to address Brazil’s evolving social and environmental challenges, designing resilient, sustainable spaces that respond to the country’s diverse climates and urban needs. Each architect brings a distinct perspective, but the echoes of Niemeyer’s vision, so notably expressed in his commitment to monumental gestures, organic integration with nature, and a poetic use of materials, continue to shape Brazil’s architectural landscape. Niemeyer’s High Rise Legacy: JFL 125 Tower By aflalo/gasperini arquitetos, São Paulo, Brazil JFL 125 by aflalo/gasperini arquitetos. São Paulo, Brazil | Photo by Daniel Ducci. The JFL 125 Tower, designed by Aflalo/Gasperini Arquitetos, embodies Oscar Niemeyer’s legacy of sculptural dynamism. Its zigzagging balconies wrapping around the structure create a rhythmic sense of movement and interplay of light and shadow reminiscent of the pattern of horizontal fins in Niemeyer’s Edifício Montreal (1951-1954) in São Paulo. Much like Niemeyer’s large-scale, yet fluid constructions, the JFL 125 Tower highlights vertical elegance and lightness, ensuring that the height is harmonious rather than overpowering. It also exemplifies Niemeyer’s vision of blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries through expansive terraces. Aflalo/Gasperini modernizes Niemeyer’s characteristic sculpted concrete aesthetic by incorporating glass and metal. This contemporary use of materials achieves a design that aligns with modern technology while maintaining a modernist appeal. Niemeyer’s Integration of Art and Architecture: Arapiraca  By Triptyque Architecture, São Paulo, Brazil Arapiraca by Triptyque Architecture. Vila Madalena, São Paulo, SP, Brazil | Photo by Dianna Snape Photography Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture often featured ceramic murals, generally in collaboration with renowned Brazilian artists like Athos Bulcão. While Niemeyer primarily focused on sculptural concrete forms, he embraced the creation of murals, balancing abstract patterns and figurative storytelling to add narrative, texture, and cultural depth to his buildings. These murals, often crafted in azulejos — traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles — embody his belief in the integral unity of architecture, art and landscape. A contemporary interpretation of Niemeyer’s ceramic tile murals can be seen in the Arapiraca project by Triptyque Architecture with its striking blue and white tiled façades. Triptyque embraces tilework as a fundamental design element, integrating it seamlessly into the Arapiraca’s structure rather than treating it as a mere surface embellishment. This approach aligns with Niemeyer’s vision, where tile murals were not just decorative but thoughtfully embedded to enhance the overall composition of a building. Vision of Weightless Elegance: Sumaré House By Isay Weinfeld, São Paulo, Brazil Sumaré House by Isay Weinfeld, São Paulo, Brazil | Photo by Nelson Kon Isay Weinfeld’s Sumaré House shares key architectural principles with Oscar Niemeyer’s residential designs, particularly in its structural lightness and simplicity, and the seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Sumaré House engages with its surroundings through large openings that invite light, air, and views, reinforcing Niemeyer’s ideal of the surroundings being an extension of the built work. The house’s cantilevered structure creates a floating effect, evoking the weightlessness seen in Niemeyer’s pilotis-supported structures, such as the Palácio do Planalto (1958) in Brasilia. Weinfeld’s use of raw concrete, wood, and steel also echoes Niemeyer’s material expression, enhancing their natural textures and interactions with the surrounding environment. However, Sumaré House differs from Niemeyer’s architectural vision in its minimalist expression. While Niemeyer’s work is sculptural and bold, Sumaré House features a minimalist, geometric aesthetic that prioritizes clean lines and an interplay of solid and void. Harmony Between Nature and Architecture: Japanese Immigration Memorial By Gustavo Penna Arquiteto & Associados, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Japanese Immigration Memorial by Gustavo Penna Arquiteto & Associados, Belo Horizonte, Brazil | Photo by Jomar Bragança Gustavo Penna Arquiteto & Associados (GPA&A) shares several core design principles with Oscar Niemeyer, particularly in their sculptural approach to architecture, emphasis on expressive forms, and deep connection to cultural narratives. However, while Niemeyer’s work generally embraces fluid and organic forms, GPA&A explores a more symbolic and geometric abstraction. This distinction is beautifully exemplified by the  Japanese Immigration Memorial. The structure is nestled within a natural setting, achieving a harmonious symbiosis between nature and the built form, a principle Niemeyer strongly advocated. The clarity of the design establishes a dialogue between solid and void, permanence and fluidity, qualities that resonate with Niemeyer’s architectural ethos and the Japanese aesthetic of simplicity and balance. Sculptural and Sustainable: Youth Arena By Vigliecca & Associados. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Youth Arena by Vigliecca & Associados. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Photo by Leonardo Finotti The Youth Arena by Vigliecca & Associados embodies Oscar Niemeyer’s belief that architecture should serve the public, incorporating sustainable and social design principles. Originally conceived for the Rio 2016 Olympics, it was envisioned as a long-term and multifunctional community asset, hosting sports, education, and cultural events. The Youth Arena features a strong geometric identity with a lightweight steel structure that minimizes material use and maintains elegance, aligning with Niemeyer’s focus on efficiency and visual impact. Its floating roof, supported by slender columns, creates a sense of openness, and the perforated façades regulate temperature naturally, reflecting Niemeyer’s passive design strategies seen in works like the Itamaraty Palace. With sustainable features like passive cooling, natural light optimization, and environmentally friendly materials, the Youth Arena is a modern interpretation of Niemeyer’s sculptural, sustainable, and socially engaged legacy. Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. Top image: Palácio do planalto designed by Oscar Niemeyer | Photo by seier+seier via Flickr CC 2.0  The post Brazil Builds: Revisiting Niemeyer Through Contemporary Brazilian Practice appeared first on Journal.

Got a project that’s too bold to build? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. Walk into a Montessori classroom, and you won’t find a front and a back. There will probably be no whiteboard wall and, certainly, no teacher’s desk monopolizing a fifth of the space. Instead, the area is open. All of the furniture, fixtures and fittings are low to the ground, and nothing’s hidden. Shelves are shallow. Cupboards are nonexistent. Tools are visible and within reach. Young people are taught that they are free to move between zones and subjects at will, without the need for permission. These are usually calm spaces, not controlling ones. And they are very deliberately designed that way. The idea that spatial design can guide behavior without dictating it is something interior designers and architects have pondered and played with for centuries. But usually to serve a goal set by the client or designer — more footfall over here, less lingering over there. Montessori, by contrast, is about encouraging individual thought and independent decision-making. The space isn’t guiding people toward an outcome. It simply makes sure they can get there themselves. 123+ Kindergarten by OfficeOffCourse, Shanghai, China | Photos by Li Huang Maria Montessori wasn’t a teacher by training. She was Italy’s first recognized female doctor, with a background in medicine, anthropology and biology. Her method was developed through direct observation, paired with structured tools she called “didactic materials” — physical objects designed to teach through repetition and touch. In the early 1900s, she began working with children from working-class families and those considered intellectually disabled. Groups who, at the time, were excluded from mainstream education. What she noticed, quickly and clearly, was that most classrooms were designed not to support children but to control them. Rows of desks. Single points of instruction. Environments built for discipline, not curiosity. She thought there was a better way. Instead of ordering children to pay attention, she changed the environment so that they could choose what to focus on. The room was broken into zones. The furniture was light and scaled to the user. Materials were out in the open, not locked away. If something spilled, it got cleaned up. If a child was ready to move on, they didn’t have to ask. The room told them what was possible. They just had to decide what to do. AKN Nursery by HIBINOSEKKEI+youjinoshiro, Akiruno, Japan | Photos by Studio Bauhaus It was a complete rethinking of what a learning space could be, and it’s still in use today. The Montessori classroom isn’t a stage for a tutor to perform. It’s a system of layout, scale and logic that individuals can inhabit in the way that suits them best. Every detail is considered, from the height of the chair and the depth of the shelf to the visibility of the tools available—not for aesthetics but for usability. Not to control the child but to give them autonomy. Fast forward a century, and interestingly, most millennials are only now starting to experience the kind of spatial autonomy that Montessori built into her classrooms from day one. Most of us grew up with national curriculums, rigid lesson plans and carpet squares for assembly, and once we joined the workforce, the message stayed the same: follow the system, stick to the schedule, and keep to your lane. The idea of designing your own rhythm or setting your own pace was treated as an exception, not the norm. Roche Multifunctional Workspace Building by Christ & Gantenbein, Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany | Photos by Walter Mair However, the pandemic upended routines and exposed how fragile those top-down systems really are. Almost overnight, the workplace lost its center. People started working from bedrooms and kitchen tables, and eventually from anywhere they wanted. Some returned to the office. Many didn’t. Others left entirely and took to the freelance way of life. Whatever the path, the result was much the same. People began rethinking how their lives should be structured — and who should be the one making the decisions. It’s a clear shift in psychology. When Gallup started surveying workers post-2020, a consistent pattern emerged: autonomy wasn’t just preferred, it was directly linked to engagement and performance. In parallel, environmental psychology has shown that people respond better, both mentally and physically, when they feel a sense of control over their surroundings. Now, five years on, you can see the change developing across the wider built environment, not just in our homes and offices but in all sorts of places where, not long ago, architecture was more interested in instruction than invitation. Minneapolis Public Service Building by Henning Larsen, Minneapolis, Minnesota | Photos by Corey Gaffer Take public buildings. The biggest change is in how people move through them. You used to enter a civic building and know exactly where you were meant to go. There was usually a big color-coded sign, maybe a map if you were lucky, to direct you. Now you’re more likely to find buildings laid out like frameworks rather than floor plans. No single route through. No strict zoning. Rooms aren’t named. Boundaries are suggested by a shift in floor finish, a change in light, or the way furniture sits in space. You’re given just enough to make sense of it and then you’re left to get on with it. In cultural buildings, flexibility has become paramount, but not in the usual sense. It’s more about leaving interpretation open. A stair landing can be a reading spot. A window bench becomes an individual research center; we see more people sitting on the floor against a wall because that’s where they feel most comfortable. Some of the best new projects have stepped away from over-programming. They let their visitors give meaning to a space through its use, not by dictating with signage. Architects are getting more comfortable with that ambiguity. They’re designing areas that can absorb different types of behavior without collapsing into a mess. There’s real skill in that. The Pitch by Mark Odom Studio, Austin, Texas | Photos by Casey Dunn Across hospitality, we’ve seen this happening for a while. Probably longer than most industries. The hierarchy’s gone soft. The goal isn’t to lead the guest through a series of predetermined experiences — lobby, host, table, bar, exit. Now, the idea is to create an environment that supports different kinds of interaction without over-orchestrating them. Different guests want different experiences, and to be successful, you’ve got to find out how to facilitate that. There’s more variety in seating. More fluidity between the front and back of the house. You might be ten feet from the kitchen, or perched somewhere no one needs to find you. The space, and therefore the staff occupying the space, doesn’t assume everyone wants the same thing from it. And that’s the point. In housing, open-plan layouts aren’t enough, but rooms doing five things at once is way too much. What’s changing is the underlying assumption that each room within our homes has a job, and people are there to fulfill it. Instead, architects are starting to design for potential, not prescription. You get joinery that defines but doesn’t divide. Slight changes in level. Shifts in material. Lighting that nudges one way or another. There’s structure, but it’s light-touch. The space doesn’t care how you use it, just that you can — and do. Tom Lee Park by Studio Gang, Memphis, Tennesee | Photos by Tom Harris Even in the public realm, this Montessori thinking is filtering through. The most effective urban inserts aren’t grand or didactic. They’re simple yet highly effective. It could be a broad step that’s also a seat. A covered corner that might be for waiting, chatting, sheltering or even performing. It’s low-cost, high-agency stuff. The design doesn’t tell you what to do. It gives you just enough of a framework to do something. Across all of these industries, the same change is playing out. Architects are designing less for function and more for use. This, of course, sounds obvious until you realize how many buildings are still laid out like factories. Trafficking us from one station to the next. Maria Montessori didn’t just build flexible classrooms. She built systems that supported autonomy. And now, the rest of the world is, too. Got a project that’s too bold to build? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. The post Montessori for Millennials: Architecture That Lets Adults Choose appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters. As the climate crisis affects the built environment and urban populations continue to grow, the need for sustainable and resilient housing is more urgent than ever. Around the world, architects and designers are seeking innovative approaches to residential design that prioritize environmental responsibility. Explore eight sustainable residential buildings, each designed to reduce ecological impact while also promoting a healthier, more modern and connected way of living. What sets this selection apart is the use of orthographic projection to present each building. These selections feature scaled architectural drawings showing floor plans, elevations and sections to offer a better understanding of spatial relationships and construction details. Orthographic views invite a clearer, more analytical appreciation of design decisions that contribute to sustainability, such as passive ventilation strategies, compact layouts, recycled or local materials, and integration with the natural environment. Pacific Landing Affordable Housing By Patrick TIGHE Architecture, Santa Monica, California Jury Winner, Affordable Housing, 12th Annual A+Awards   Pacific Landing is a mixed-use affordable housing project designed for individuals with disabilities and those on limited incomes. Located on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, developed by Community Corp of Santa Monica, the project replaced a gas station on a contaminated 14,160-square-foot lot. The four-story, 42,000-square-foot building includes 37 residences for families in need. The building’s design reinterprets traditional home forms, breaking the mass into smaller components separated by voids and green spaces. At the ground level, a central courtyard offers a landscaped retreat for residents, with all units accessible from this shared space, including a playground. Also, the ground level features social services, a cafe and other amenities. H151 By Studio Kraft, Budapest, Hungary H151 is designed in a green area surrounded by old trees and built without cutting down a single tree. The architects tried to combine the materiality, elegance and personality of the local village styles. The apartment has a simple, archetypal, compact mass, broke by the corner terraces and the asymmetrically placed pitched roof. The wooden paneling of the gable walls was inspired by the detailed wooden gables of the old villas. The lower two floors house four apartments with covered terraces, blending into the earth with brown clinker cladding. Their simple form adapts to home office needs and family life. The penthouse features a light wood and glass façade, metal roofing and large skylights. Cedar2 By Sizan Architectural and City Reading Studio, Yazd, Iran Cedar2, a residential apartment designed as multi-unit housing in Yazd, focuses on social identity and intergenerational living. The apartment responds to the growing isolation of nuclear households in contemporary Iranian apartments by reintroducing community-based spatial dynamics rooted in the region’s architectural heritage. One of the interesting features of the apartment is the reinterpretation of the traditional Godal Baghcheh (a sunken garden pit) that not only ensures natural light and ventilation for the basement unit but also serves as a secure and vibrant shared courtyard for residents of all ages. Additionally, architectural elements like open kitchens, brick-filtered façades, and interior niches reflect Yazd’s vernacular while integrating modern privacy, connection, and adaptability strategies. L’Hospitalet Housing By b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain L’Hospitalet Housing, the building of 37 dwellings constructed in 2022, is situated in an industrial area undergoing constant urban transformation. The proposal seeks a solution that capitalizes on the site conditions regarding sunlight and occupant comfort. The building comprises a basement, ground floor, and five upper floors, staggered at the top to create terraces with optimal orientations in the attics, allowing the upper terraces to serve as a prime feature of the residences. Additionally, the façade uses a durable, efficient, and low-maintenance construction solution while utilizing a material recognizable in the surrounding industrial buildings. INotaby, the façade facing the street, which receives less sunlight and contains the majority of the bedrooms, features a rhythm of repetitive openings protected by exterior shutters, enabling control over privacy and interior shading. Vault on vault By KOUROSH RAFIEY Architectural Design Studio(KRDS), Royan, Iran Vault on vault, designed in 2013, is located at the northern edge of Royan, with a view of the Caspian Sea. The villa is designed to accommodate a family of emphasizing on separating public from private spaces while providing personal areas for individual users, using modern materials and construction techniques to reinterpret traditional vaulted architecture. This is achieved by designing distinct, separated “capsules” for different functions, reminiscent of islands in an archipelago, with dedicated areas for movement and interaction. The innovative use of vaults involves changing their shapes through cuts and rotations, stacking them in vertical alignments. Narbon Villa By Gera Studio, Kerman, Iran Narbon Villa is a home built in a pomegranate garden in the old city of Kerman, Iran. Inspired by traditional homes in the region. The design keeps part of the garden’s original thatched wall and adds a new one behind it, blending old and new to keep the area’s traditional feel. A glass door was added to create an entrance and allow people to enjoy views of the trees and water channel that connects to nearby farmland. The house is connected to a sunken courtyard, which stays cool during the hot summer days and creates a relaxing shaded space. Two tall openings, called “sky rifts,” bring in fresh air and light, helping keep the house inside comfortable without using too much energy. These openings also let people see the sky from inside the house, making the space feel open and peaceful. Casa Velázquez By Moneo Brock, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic   Casa Velázquez is a housing development located in the historic center of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The building, constructed near a 1926 colonial-period structure, underwent a restoration that revived the commercial and residential functions of the historic buildings. In particular, the facades of Casa Velázquez were faithfully restored, and the architectural elements of the adjacent colonial architecture were accentuated. The apartments feature double-height living areas and large windows in the arches open onto the interior patio, providing maximum natural light and optimal ventilation, which is essential in this humid climate. DEHKADEH IWAN By SUPER VOID SPACE, Dehkade, Iran   Dehkadeh Iwan is a project that connects the traditional architectural element of the Iwan to an old villa built around 50 years ago, just before the Islamic revolution. The villa, located in the Dehkadeh village, originally represented modernism. Still, over time, it became a depressing space with low ceilings, thick walls, and small windows that made the outdoors barely visible. During the first visit, the villa felt more like a shelter than a home. While the entire roof could not be raised, the living room facing the courtyard was identified as a space that could greatly benefit from additional height. The project’s main concept was to introduce the Iwan, a traditional architectural feature, into the villa. This new Iwan acts as a bridge between the original modern design and conventional forms, bringing in more light, air, and a stronger connection to the surrounding environment. Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters. The post 8 Sustainable Residential Buildings in Orthographic Projection appeared first on Journal.

Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open — click here to receive program updates. When you hear the words futuristic, visionary or daring in the context of architecture, what comes to mind? For most of us, it’s rarely something that’s actually been built. I, for one, usually picture something out of a sci-fi movie. Cities that float. Forests in skyscrapers. Buildings that don’t seem bound by physics (let alone local planning regulations). Yet, these “unbuildable” ideas have always propelled architecture forward. Many of the most iconic projects in architectural history were never realized. Nevertheless, their influence reshaped the discipline. The utopian blueprints of Modernist pioneers, like Le Corbusier or Archigram, once seemed intangible too. But those visions played a major role in shifting how we think about cities, mobility and design itself. Today’s visions for the future are no different. We still see wildly ambitious ideas that seem detached from reality. But arguably, the need for radical thinking is more urgent than ever. For these reasons and more, Architizer is thrilled to be relaunching the Vision Awards, a global program honoring the world’s best architectural ideas, concepts and imagery. Pre-Register for the Vision Awards As the world grapples with one environmental crisis after the next, rapid urbanization and emerging technologies, visionary design remains a critical tool — not despite its impracticality, but because of it. Yet, when your day-to-day as an architect involves planning standards, fast-approaching deadlines and tight budgets, it’s easy to question the value of ideas that may never get built. After all, why chase the impossible? The short answer: Because that’s how progress starts. And the long one? Well, this essay dives into that… From Utopias to Urban Plans: Visionary Design in the 20th Century As mentioned above, many of the boldest architectural ideas of the last century were never fully built. However, their influence is still visible in the way cities have been planned, imagined and debated ever since. View this post on Instagram A post shared by arch uncovered (@archuncovered) Arturdiasr, Planalto Central (cropped), CC BY-SA 4.0 Le Corbusier’s Ville Radieuse (Radiant City) was one of the most ambitious modernist proposals. Though the full concept was never realized, its emphasis on vertical housing, functional zoning and open green space shaped postwar planning around the world. Projects like Brasília borrowed heavily from its logic. And while many of these interpretations were criticized for being sterile or inhumane, they also sparked serious conversations about density, light, infrastructure and how cities might function more efficiently at scale. Archigram, working in 1960s London, pushed things further. Their Plug-In City imagined buildings as components that could be added, removed or replaced, treating architecture as infrastructure. It was wild, idealistic and totally unbuildable at the time. But the ideas stuck. Modular systems, prefabrication and temporary structures gained momentum and today, those principles show up in everything from emergency housing to tech campuses designed for flexibility. Jordy Meow, Nakagin, CC BY-SA 3.0 The Metabolists, in Japan, took a similarly future-focused approach. Their designs looked extreme (organic, megastructural, endlessly expandable) but they helped shift architecture toward systems thinking. The most famous built example, Tokyo’s Nakagin Capsule Tower, sparked ongoing debates about modularity, obsolescence and sustainability. More broadly, the movement introduced a new way of thinking about cities—not as static compositions, but as evolving organisms, capable of growth, renewal and change. And while many of these visions seemed (and were) too radical to realize, they served their purpose. They stretched the discipline’s boundaries, challenged its assumptions and expanded the space between dreams and possibilities. The Digital Visionaries of the New Millennia Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid Architects, Baku, Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid Architects, Baku, Azerbaijan By the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new kind of architectural experimentation took hold. This time, however, it moved beyond sketchbooks and manifestos, made possible by emerging software. Digital modeling and parametric design tools introduced a different kind of freedom, one where form no longer had to follow the rules of gravity, repetition, tradition and well, function. Zaha Hadid Architects were early pioneers in this space. Projects like the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku or the Bee’ah Headquarters in Sharjah showed how fluid, algorithm-driven forms could become buildable realities. Their architecture often looked like it had been poured rather than constructed, which at the time was sa sharp departure from conventional geometry. Around the same time, firms like BIG and MAD Architects began exploring equally ambitious ideas, often combining speculative visuals with cultural narratives or sustainability claims. This era also gave rise to hyper-speculative mega-projects like NEOM’s The Line, which proposes an entire city compressed into a single vertical strip in the Saudi desert (extremely controversial, to say the least, but undeniably bold). Some of these projects were not, well…practical (and that’s putting it kindly). Many were critiqued for prioritizing form over function, driven more by spectacle than substance. But in hindsight, that might not be the point. These projects showed us that what once felt unbuildable (all of those fluid, gravity-defying, digitally generated forms) could leave the sketchbook and become reality. Some starchitects may have pushed boundaries for the wrong reasons, but the results still expanded the profession’s sense of what was materially and technologically possible. They tested the limits of fabrication, pushed software development and encouraged collaboration across disciplines. And in doing so, they reminded the industry that it can still take risks, surprise people and imagine at scale. In their own way, these digital visions carried forward the same legacy as their Modernist predecessors: using imagination as a tool to provoke, challenge and, sometimes, to inspire meaningful change. Today’s Dreamscapes: Designing in the Face of Uncertainty If the radical ideas of the past pushed the limits of what architecture could do for the world, today’s most ambitious ideas are responding to something deeper — what the world needs architecture to do. Instead of pushing boundaries through new materials or technology, what we can now call visionary design is actually a response to the global issues we are facing right now: uncertainty, volatility and the growing sense that our systems aren’t built to last. Natura Verita by David Scott Martin, Special Mention, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards Sandstorm Absorbent Skyscraper by Kalbod Design Studio, Dubai, United Arab Emirates It’s clear that we’re no longer just speculating for the sake of form. We’re speculating because business-as-usual no longer holds. Architects are now imagining responses to mass displacement, rising sea levels, ecological collapse and resource scarcity; not because these challenges are coming, but because they’re already here. And the scale of these issues makes incremental design feel insufficient. This is where visionary design matters most. Not as a theoretical pursuit that offers unattainable solutions, but as a tool that creates a much-needed space to ask the right questions. Could housing be fully self-sustaining? Could infrastructure evolve in real time? Could entire cities be rethought from scratch, not to impress but, at this point, to survive? ROMA by Mahdi Eghbali, The Moon Whether wildly optimistic or dystopian, the possible answers to these questions reflect the emotional reality of our time: the desire to reimagine is more important than ever, because continuing as we are is no longer an option. What unites these visions isn’t style or software, but an urgency to imagine a livable future, even if we don’t yet know how to build it. To Dream or Not to Dream? The Floating City by Jingwei Li, Special Mention, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards Visionary design doesn’t have to predict the future. It just needs to hold space for it. Amidst all the urgency and uncertainty, the act of designing optimistically, boldly and unapologetically becomes its own kind of resistance. We may never see cities in the clouds (at least not in our lifetime), but imagining them helps us build better cities on the ground. And maybe that’s the point. Even if most ideas stay unbuilt, some won’t. And sometimes, all it takes is one bold vision to shift the conversation, change what we believe is possible and move the discipline forward juuuust a little bit. Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open — click here to receive program updates. Learn More About Architizer’s Vision Awards The post In Defense of “Unbuildable” Architecture: Why We Still Need Big, Visionary Ideas appeared first on Journal.

Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open — click here to receive program updates. To design a building is typically to design for function, and a structure is often a solution. Yet, every now and then, we come across a building that has wriggled free of purpose altogether. It is too small to occupy, odd to ignore, or deliberate to be dismissed as a work of art. Commonly, these forms are follies. Follies first emerged in 18th-century Europe, mostly in gardens owned by wealthy people with elaborate titles and questionable taste. Built to look like crumbling towers, classical temples, or pastoral ruins, follies had no real use other than to decorate the landscape or give guests something to walk towards. They were expensive jokes, architectural one-liners, and metaphors that were often expressions of grief or ego. Never utility. The name stuck because it fit, to design and build a folly was indeed a folly of an undertaking. Today, they’re back. Or at least something like them is. Architects and artists are once again building structures that don’t do much in the traditional sense. Some are installations, some are pavilions. You’ll find them tucked into sculpture parks, floating on lakes, hidden in woodland, or standing stubbornly in public squares. Occasionally, they offer shelter or act as decoration. A few endeavor to educate. Many are content to simply be objects. But each one earns its place through character rather than purpose by provoking, surprising, or simply refusing to explain itself to the likes of you and me. This collection gathers recent projects that pick up where the folly left off. Each asks the same question in its own way: What if architecture didn’t need a reason to make sense and was just an idea made oddly, beautifully visible? IKAL By Cabrera Arqs / Enrique Cabrera Arquitecto, Chicxulub Pueblo, Mexico Photos by Enrique Cabrera IKAL doesn’t house much, but it holds a mood. This circular structure, cast in chukum and open to the stars, sits contentedly in the Yucatán landscape. A simple cosmic observatory without a telescope. From above, it resembles a crater or a sacred mark; from within, it’s more chapel than much else. There’s no signage and no explanation. But a slice of sky and a feeling that something larger might be at play is all it needs. Whether it’s architecture or ritual theatre is beside the point. As a folly, it’s perfect: form without function, but heavy with meaning. Folly Kometenplein By bureau SLA, Hoofddorp, Netherlands Photos by Thijs Wolzak It looks like it might unfold, fly away or implode — but for now, it sits cheerfully in a Dutch square, waiting for a food truck or a passing stranger to give it something to do. This bright triangular structure, part pavilion, part transformer, can be opened or closed depending on its mood (or at least on its configuration). There’s a bar counter six meters in the air that descends when needed. Two sides shift, others stay still. It’s temporary, moveable and slightly absurd. A modern folly, then, with decent hydraulics. Katenara By Building Simplexity Laboratory (BSL), The University of Hong Kong, Taichung, Taiwan If you were to sketch a catenary curve on a napkin and then build it using nothing but glulam, tension cables and parametric software, you’d end up somewhere near Katenara. Suspended in a forest park, this pavilion is part shelter, part algorithm, a timber swoop that demonstrates how low-tech and high-design can intersect. It’s not particularly useful — though it does keep rain off your head — but as an elegant experiment in form-making, it’s a reminder that architectural play need not require a brief, only curiosity. Songyi Theater By Kong Xiangwei Studio, Shandong, China Photos by Archi Translator In a pine forest earmarked for clearing, a handful of silver ‘trees’ now rise instead. Songyi Theater is as much a stage as a sculpture garden. It’s highly theatrical, enchantingly reflective, and intentionally ambiguous. Its mirrored trunks catch the sun while its sinuous seating curls through the undergrowth. Visitors wander, perform, or do nothing at all. It invites pause more than applause. The designer reportedly worked on-site without drawings, shaping the folly through direct conversation with the land. Which is possibly the most poetic kind of indulgence. Living Knitwork Pavilion By Wicaksono & Co, Nevada Photos by Irmandy Wicaksono Built for Burning Man (folly heaven) and powered by solar panels and theremin-like sensors, Living Knitwork is half spacecraft, half soft sculpture. Woven from conductive yarns and shaped like a techno-dodecahedron, it hums quietly when you get too close, lights up when you move, and tells stories through embedded textiles. No one asked for an interactive knitted folly with real-time spatial audio, but here it is anyway. Part shade structure, part glowing oddity, wholly unnecessary and utterly captivating. Louis Vuitton – Pavilion Nomad By MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY, Milan, Italy Photos by naaro It landed at Milan Design Week like a metallic squid. Nomad is a traveling pavilion, made from thousands of riveted aluminium parts that shimmer like mercury and weigh next to nothing. Its rounded geometry hides the precise engineering; its globular form contains no straight lines, only curves and voids. It references the palazzo that surrounds it but belongs to nowhere in particular. It’s light, portable, unplaceable and all the better for it. Architecture that goes wherever it pleases? That’s a folly in motion. Flourish Bamboo Dome By Studio A-light, Taiwan Photos by Fixer Photographic Studio There are flowers, misting systems, and suspended planters, but the real flourish in Flourish is structural. This bamboo dome in rural Taiwan reimagines the idea of a greenhouse, becoming a floating spring spiral, using heat-treated Makino bamboo to create soaring arches and delicate curves. It’s anchored with floral islands and clad in agricultural mesh, yet it feels closer to a cathedral than a farm shed. As a folly, it’s unusually practical, but its exuberance, scale and sheer agricultural theatre make it a worthy outlier. Concrete Pavilion By LIN Architecture, China Photos by Chen Zhitong and Zhuo Hongduo This concrete object looks like it might once have been useful. Maybe a chapel? A pumping station? A monument? No one seems entirely sure, which only adds to its charm. LIN Architecture’s composition of angled roofs, fractured windows, skewed platforms and half-arches creates a building that feels both ancient and improvised, maybe even otherworldly. The interior is fragmented, lit by unexpected slits and skylights. It’s too serious to be a playground and too strange to be symbolic. It doesn’t explain itself, and that, of course, is entirely the point. Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open — click here to receive program updates. The post Gloriously Unnecessary: The Return of the Architectural Folly appeared first on Journal.

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.

Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open — click here to receive program updates. China’s real estate boom has allowed architects worldwide to push design boundaries, resulting in buildings with sleek, futuristic forms. Beyond their fluid curves and dynamic massing, many of these projects share a deeper connection to nature. They create harmony — a core pillar of Chinese tradition by emphasizing balance and a relationship between humans and nature. Whether through undulating facades, sweeping rooflines or organic silhouettes, each of these ten projects in China embraces motion. Courtyard 35 – Hutong Cloudscape By WAY Studio, Beijing, China WAY Studio introduced a statement “cloudscape” bridge to Courtyard 35 as part of the renovation project. This floating corridor, with its twisted mirror soffits hovers within the courtyard embracing two towering ancient trees. The design creates a visual separation between the ground and sky reinforcing the relationship between natural and man-made spaces. The cloud-like form shifts with perspective and reflects the ever-changing environment while adding a poetic sense of movement to the historic courtyard. Longquan Mountain Observatory By BUZZ / Büro Ziyu Zhuang, Chengdu, China As part of the developing scape of Chengdu, the mountain observatory reinterprets the Eastern philosophy of mountains – not as rigid, immovable structures, but as fluid forms that grow and change with time and weather. BUZZ designed the building to adapt to the terrain, offering an observation space that feels like an extension of nature itself. Hangzhou Flows Villa Experience Centre By Hangzhou 9M Architectural Design, China This building follows the contours of a nearby lake and resembles the natural hillsides along the shore. The curves and splines throughout the exterior and interior create a continuous visual path that integrates with the natural surroundings. This flowing character creates an idea of movement that will guide visitors through the space in a way that mirrors the gentle flow of water. Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre By Zaha Hadid Architects, Zhuhai, China Zaha Hadid Architects designed this civic art center with sweeping steel canopies that resemble the flight patterns of migratory birds. The rhythmic, chevron-like structures echo the flight formations of the birds in the sky above southern China. They were configured and installed through repetition, symmetry and scale variation that optimize natural light. The Planning Exhibition Center of Liangjiang Collaborative Innovation Zone By Tanghua Architects, Chongqing, China This exhibition center is inspired by the confluence of the Jailing and Yangtze Rivers. The designers overlapped its circular plan with a three-way spline form that represents the meeting of the two waterways. It not only acknowledges the geography of Chongqing but also creates a sense of movement within a static structure. Birch Forest By Kris Lin International Design, China This project brings the essence of “forest” into an urban setting. The architect designed the building to mimic the canopy of the birch trees surrounding the site. This created an immersive experience where visitors feel as though they are “walking in the forest”. Traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon techniques were used to assemble the structure to blend ancient craftmanship and contemporary organic design. Uniview Headquarters By GOA (Group of Architects), Zhejiang, China The sweeping western façade of the Uniview Headquarters curves inward, mirroring the radial center of the surrounding landscape. Inside, this curvature continues with cascading corridors that curve around an atrium creating an interplay of light and movement. International Digital Sea Investment and Exhibition Center By Hatch Architects, Shangai, China To create a sense of lightness and fluidity, HATCH Architects introduced the “Cloud Isle” concept for the business investment center. They designed a free-flowing, parametric roof that appears to hover above the ultra-clear glass façade. The transparency of the structure makes the white roof look as if it is floating like a cloud amid the surrounding greenery. The Metal Metal Pavilion Atelier Zeros, Shanghai, China This pavilion was designed to capture the fleeting beauty of frozen water. Its undulating form was inspired by melting ice and was created from ultra-thin 0.4mm steel sheets, bent and shaped to resemble air bubbles trapped within ice blocks. RL Metals used algorithmic modeling to simulate the natural melting process, resulting in a rippling, textured surface that shifts in appearance with changes in light. Xi’an Lovi Center By Aedas, Xi’An, China Aedas designed the center as a people-centric mixed-use development that introduces an organic, petal-like facade that breathes life into the urban fabric of Xi’an. Instead of straight edges, they incorporated a soft wavy form that looks like the gentle undulations of flower petals. In addition, a cascading glass funnel in the atrium was added to enhance the sense of fluidity, allowing natural light to enter freely through the space. Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open — click here to receive program updates. The post No Straight Answers: 10 Chinese Buildings With Fluid Forms and Curvilinear Masses appeared first on Journal.

Got a project that’s too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. In terms of “styles” architecture is going through a very democratic era. While the 20th century was characterized by the turbulent shifts of architectural styles — from art nouveau and art deco to the dominance of modernism and all its variations followed by its postmodern “critic” — the 21st century has somewhat allowed architects to transcend boundaries and experiment beyond any specific movement. Yet, modern and postmodern styles still seem to be in competition, not only in design but also in terms of the general philosophy behind architectural practice. On the one hand, postmodernism emerged during the 1970s and 80s and reacted against the austere, functionalist principles of modernism, challenging the “form follows function” dogma. It encouraged architects to include a mix of historical references, styles and ornamentation in their designs, with Robert Venturi, a prominent figure of the movement, famously writing the phrase “less is a bore,” advocating for complexity and contradiction in architecture. Still, perhaps what has been the most crucial aspect of postmodern philosophy is the emphasis on contextualism, where architects sought to engage with the surrounding context, respecting the local history and culture and focusing on the human-centric aspect of design. JoachimKohler-HB, Groninger Museum – Mendinipaviljoen (2015), CC BY-SA 4.0 Postmodern examples such as Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry’s Dancing House, the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands by Alessandro Mendini et al. and the Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht by Aldo Rossi promote the movement’s fragmentation, asymmetry polychromy and theatricality principles. The expressive approach, the context sensitive design and the overall playfulness of postmodernism promote an ambiguity and complexity that has always been distinctly present in contemporary society. No machine-readable author provided. Chosovi assumed (based on copyright claims)., La Casa Danzante de Praga 1, CC BY-SA 2.5 Despite the critique that modernism faced by the 1970s — often labeled as alienating and elitist, especially after a series of failed tower block projects in east London — its principles are still widely practiced throughout the world, though perhaps in a more covert form. The primary modernist movement opted for functionality, clean lines and exposed structures as well as the use of new technologies and materials. Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus School, Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright are some of the most influential architects of the movement, whose works opened up an array of innovative directions in architectural discourse. For instance, practices such as “the five points” of architecture (pilotis, free facade, free plan, ribbon windows, and roof garden), the famous 1923 “Brick Country House” composition, and Adolf Loos’s Raumplan, gave future architects tremendous tools for designing for the built environment. Sailko, Modellino della brick country house di mies van der rohe, 1987 ca, CC BY 3.0 Today however, modernism can also be found in more sustainable and globally conscious discussions as well as in the profound, emerging trend of minimal design. Following decades of hyper consumerism and excessive construction, dialogues regarding sustainability, mindful building practices and a prioritization in restoration over demolition as well as the pursuit of net-zero architecture, can all be considered traces of the modernist thought. Additionally, minimal design projects once again celebrate function over aesthetics and promote a lifestyle of general decluttering, echoing the modernist movement. As a reaction to the often overwhelming visual noise of urban environments, minimalist architecture pushes for simplicity, lightness and material honesty. Architects John Pawson and Tadao Ando and their projects Wooden Chapel and Church of Light exemplify this approach, crafting structures that place emphasis on empty space to represent the beauty and symbolism of unspoiled spatial perception. Okinawa House by John Pawson, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan It is not arbitrary that both movements are very present in today’s architectural field. Despite their differences, both the expressive, human-centric approach of postmodernism and the restrained, functionalist philosophy of modernism offer valuable perspectives on the future of architecture. This juxtaposition opens up the debate of which attitude may best serve future generations to tackle contemporary challenges such as climate change, rapid urbanization or social housing. Is the expressive, locally responsive, and symbolically rich ethos of Postmodernism the answer to ensuring that architecture remains deeply connected to cultural identity? Or should architects prioritize the sustainable, minimalist, and technology-driven ideals of Modernism, creating spaces that are efficient, adaptable, and ecologically responsible? As in most cases, the answer is not purely black or white. The coexistence of these two dominant styles in the current architectural era demonstrates that both have stood the test of time, each offering valuable contributions to contemporary design. Rather than opposing forces, these movements can be seen as complementary, each bringing unique strengths that continue to shape the evolution of architectural practice. Got a project that’s too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. Featured Image: MPavilion 10 by Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, Jury Winner, Architecture +Community, 12th Annual A+Awards The post Modernism, Postmodernism and the Eternal Design Dilemma: What’s Next? appeared first on Journal.

Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. From Le Corbusier’s floating cities to Archigram’s walking megastructures, visionary proposals have long shaped the way we think about architecture. Even if these ideas never left the drawing board, they asked questions no one else was asking and, in return, offered strange but exciting answers. Today’s visionary ideas follow in those footsteps. They try to explore and respond to the problems of our time, like rising seas, shrinking land, and growing cities. They explore vertical living, underground museums, floating hotels, and reimagined infrastructure. Some find new uses for old materials. Others push technology into unfamiliar shapes. But one thing is for sure: every project begins as a concept before it becomes real. And every dramatic shift in this industry starts with a bold idea. Some of these projects will reach construction, others will stay on paper (or in this case, the digital sketchbook). But all of them will certainly move the conversation forward. With that in mind, let’s take a look at six visionary concepts that haven’t been built yet, but deserve your attention nevertheless. Ice Cube Hotel By Kalbod Design Studio, Saudi Arabia It’s not hard to guess how this daring project got its name. Designed with transparent cement and stacked in sharp-edged volumes, the Ice Cube Hotel looks like a cluster of frozen blocks suspended in air. The structure hovers 150 feet (46 meters) above the Gulf of Aqaba, stretched between two massive cliffs in Saudi Arabia’s Wadi Tayyib Al Ism. Each unit is positioned to face the dramatic landscape, while the staggered levels create space and privacy. A sheet of water slips across the terraces, flowing downward into a final waterfall that pours back into the sea. Rather than trying to hide from its extreme setting, this hotel embraces it, turning isolation, altitude and exposure into part of the experience. Tension Instrument By Studio Lihan, Prague, Czechia What happens when you translate sound into space? This concert hall explores that question by drawing inspiration from tension — a shared force in both music and architecture. The design begins with a single gesture: a piece of wood bent by a taut string. From that idea, walls, balconies and acoustic panels unfold like parts of a musical composition, each shaped by the same invisible pull. The building rises at the meeting point of Prague’s historic core and modern expansion, where its sculptural form plays off the contrast between eras. Rather than mimic the past or compete with it, the hall introduces a new rhythm to the city — one that’s rooted in movement, vibration and the quiet precision behind every performance. MUSEUM OF UNCERTAINTY By X.C STUDIO, Los Angeles, California Popular Choice Winner, Unbuilt Cultural, 12th Annual A+Awards Set in the historic La Brea Tar Pits, the Museum of Uncertainty turns the idea of excavation into a visitor journey. The project explores what it means to search, discover and preserve, using the mystery of the tar pits as a starting point. Visitors begin at street level and move downward, as if sinking below the surface, before reaching the main gathering space. Three buildings form the museum: one for exhibitions, one for research and one for lectures and events. Along the way, visitors walk through fossil displays, watch real-time excavations and get a closer look at lab work. The museum doesn’t try to give all the answers, instead, it invites people to think about what’s still hidden and what we’re yet to uncover. Nanjing Stone City Site Museum Entrance Design Competition By PILLS, Nanjing, China This proposal transforms an abandoned reservoir into a public park shaped by excavation and reuse. The design cuts through the terrain to expose the underground structure, revealing concrete shells once hidden beneath the hill. Terraces step down toward the reservoir, forming a dramatic sequence of outdoor rooms and sloped green spaces. Above it all, a rooftop pool stretches across the structure like a sheet of still water. It reflects the sky, softens the mass below and turns the roof into a moment of calm contrast. Visitors move through a series of connected spaces like cafés, exhibits, open-air corridors, each revealing a different layer of the site’s past. With sharp geometry and a bold vertical cut, the design turns buried infrastructure into something monumental and alive. Jamsu Bridge Pedestrianization – The Longest Gallery By Arch Mist, Seoul, South Korea This proposal turns Seoul’s Jamsu Bridge into a 2,610-foot-long (795-meter) cultural walkway suspended over the Han River. Once designed for vehicles and floods, the submersible bridge is now imagined as a destination for people, art and public life. A ribbon-like pink path weaves between concrete pillars, carving out places to walk, rest and gather. Above and below, the bridge is reprogrammed with spaces for exhibitions, events and river views. Sculptures hang between levels. Cyclists and pedestrians move through winding lanes, while platforms open to the sky and water. Rather than functioning only as a crossing, the bridge becomes a linear gallery and a civic stage, stretching across the river with color, movement and a new kind of presence. Casa Katana By konstantinos stathopoulos | KRAK. architects, Crete, Greece Jury Winner, Unbuilt Private House (L >3000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+Awards Named after the sweeping motion of a katana sword, this design began with a single curved line drawn across the landscape—sharp, deliberate and responsive to the site. The gesture defines the home’s structure, carving a continuous path through living spaces, courtyards and semi-outdoor rooms. The building appears both buried and exposed, placed just above the rocks for privacy, views and natural cooling. Its surface, a custom concrete mix with local aggregates, mirrors the color and texture of the surrounding terrain. Inside, rooms unfold slowly along the slab, with light and shadow guiding the way. Got a project that’s too contemporary for your client? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. The post Drawing Outside the Lines: 6 Visionary Projects That Haven’t Broken Ground (Yet) appeared first on Journal.

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.   Out in the digital ether lies a graveyard of forgotten podcasts. Thousands of episodes launched enthusiastically but quickly faded without ceremony or even a lucrative mattress company sponsorship. Industry insiders call it “podfade.” Podcasting, when it first began, was a proud DIY medium. All you had to do was grab your iPhone, hit record, and share your thoughts, theories, and queries with the rest of the world. Yet, soon enough, the thing that made podcasting so popular and so accessible, amateurism, became podcasting’s Achilles heel. As podcasts proliferated, listeners grew weary of muffled sound, distracting background noise, and half-hearted productions from noisy coffee shops. They craved something more polished, more professional, and ultimately, more listenable. That meant no more walking and talking, no milk being steamed in the background, and no more cellphone mics. Podcasts have started to be treated like the heyday of radio, and as such, the rise of the dedicated podcast studio has begun. Architects and designers are being called in to create the perfect podcast studios. Spaces that are not only designed for phenomenal acoustics and precise production but places that provide credibility and inspire creativity in a market fit to burst. The Wing DUMBO by Alda Ly Architecture (ALA), Brooklyn, New York The thing is, most podcasts fail to survive. According to industry estimates, over two million podcasts currently exist, with thousands more launching every month. Yet fewer than 20 percent remain active a year after their first episode. Despite this high attrition, podcasting remains big business. Roughly 120 million Americans listen to podcasts monthly, with that number projected to surpass 160 million in 2025. Unsurprisingly, with that scale comes serious commercial potential. Popular shows regularly earn upwards of $50,000 per episode through advertising, sponsorship and syndication deals. As the medium matures, the line between media brand and podcast becomes increasingly entwined to the point that audio quality, production values and the recording environment all feed directly into listener perception. There’s real science here. Psychology researchers found that high audio quality significantly enhances message credibility and listener engagement. Even something as subtle as the absence of echo reduces listener fatigue and improves message retention. Something that is critical in such a saturated market. We love podcasts for their intimacy and narrative depth, but audiences today expect a polish that only thoughtful design can deliver. For architects, it starts with sound isolation. You might specify a “room-within-a-room” system, mass-loaded vinyl inside the walls, rubber isolators under a floating floor, and airtight door sweeps to block hallway noise. Equally resilient channels can be used to decouple surfaces so street noise doesn’t sneak into the recording. From there, it’s about reverberation control. Strategically placing absorption panels and baffles or opting for slatted wood that both absorbs and diffuses sound. Strategically placing bass traps in the corners or splaying the walls to eliminate echo patterns also has a huge impact. Even the floor can matter tremendously. A floating subfloor or thick underlayment prevents vibration from traveling up through a mic stand. And it isn’t all about dampening sound. Well-placed reflective surfaces can actually help preserve vocal clarity if balanced correctly. While perforated timber or fabric-wrapped acoustic panels can soak up midrange frequencies without making the space look like a bunker and helping preserve the natural warmth of human speech. Traffik by LPA, Irvine, California On the tech side, directional mics pick up voices and ignore coughing on the couch, digital mixers let you balance multiple talkers in real-time, and silent ventilation systems keep the air flowing without drowning out the conversation. When these elements all come together — acoustics, materials, technology and even airflow — you get a space that’s both sonically pristine and visually inviting, ready for a polished final product. However, while acoustic quality may be one challenge for architects and designers who are taking on a podcast studio project, today’s podcasts live as much on screens as they do in earbuds. They’re filmed, edited into short-form clips, and reposted across social platforms, meaning the once-private act of audio recording is now an inherently visual production. As a result, podcast studios need to be choreographed sets that are designed to build credibility, offer intimacy, and project authenticity. When architecture firm LPA designed a new workplace for Traffik, a global marketing agency in Irvine, California, a podcast studio was high on the list of essentials. Within a busy shopping mall next to brands like Apple and H&M, the glass-enclosed podcast room was deliberately placed to be visible street side. This strategic positioning encourages curiosity from passersby, boosting engagement while communicating the agency’s collaborative ethos. Instead of a conventional recording booth, LPA transformed the space into a highly visible entity in the mall that supports both audio precision and strong brand identity. Spotify At Mateo Campus by RIOS, Los Angeles, California The same can be seen at Spotify’s Mateo Campus in Los Angeles, the sprawling 100,000-square-foot facility that unites podcast studios, editing suites, writer’s rooms, and casual gathering spaces within a cohesive, visually rich environment. Instead of traditional recording booths, studios here are more like lounges — spaces layered with soft furnishings, carefully tuned lighting, and a pallet of textures that are distinctly non-corporate. Each detail is intentional, responding directly to the potential for camera presence and ensuring, through choice of space, that every captured image aligns visually with the style of content being made. Glass partitions, open sightlines, and strategically positioned seating encourage interaction where needed and privacy in other moments. Equally, by allowing glimpses into the recording process, the architecture itself builds on the authenticity required to be successful in this industry. In a crowded market, this openness becomes a strategic advantage by visually suggesting honesty, legitimacy, and trustworthiness to an audience who are wary of media polish and performative perfection. Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library by BRAVE/architecture, Houston, Texas Yet, professionalizing podcast spaces shouldn’t mean losing the medium’s original democratic spirit. In Houston, the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library, designed by BRAVE/architecture, incorporated a podcast studio as part of its broader community-focused agenda. The library studio is welcoming yet highly professional, fitted with equipment and acoustical materials usually reserved for private media companies. A community of users utilizes the space — often first-time creators — who feel respected, empowered, and encouraged to share their stories. This design approach highlights a powerful point: thoughtful architecture doesn’t exclude, it elevates. By providing high-quality recording facilities, community spaces can increase public engagement, attract new demographics to libraries, and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Truthfully, architecture doesn’t need to be monumental to be meaningful, in instances like this, ensuring professional-quality podcasting is accessible to everyone, spaces become socially transformative. It’s architecture on a human scale — intimate, accessible, and, yes, conversational. The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.   The post Speak Easy: Designing the Next Generation of Podcast Studios appeared first on Journal.

Got a project thats too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. Were all familiar with the Seven Wonders of the World. The mathematically mesmerizing Great Pyramid of Giza. The gravity-defying Hanging Gardens of Babylon. That oversized, improbably serene statue of Zeus at Olympia. Each one is a feat of ambition and structural ingenuity, and together, for centuries, theyve impressed, inspired, and challenged architects from all over the globe.But what becomes of wonder in a time ruled less by emperors and more by email, where the built environment is defined by regulation, restraint and value engineering rather than divine mandate and imperial will? Has awe been relegated to the realm of tourism, something to visit rather than inhabit?Perhaps not. It might not be in limestone blocks or towering statuary as in days gone by, but more often in details so well considered they catch you off guard. In these moments, wonder very much still exists. A window that frames a single tree akin to a ukiyo-e print. A bathtub, perfectly perched on a cantilever, so it looks out to nothing but the sky. A ceiling raised just enough to let the early morning light slip across a concrete floor over breakfast. These moments, the result of exacting decisions made with intent, do something rare and increasingly valuable. They make you stop. And notice. And feel something.They might never be monuments whose every design detail will be taught in schools for centuries, but they are moments of wonder. The following five projects are perfect examples of magical design decisions in which architects have done what they do best without guidance from the emperor or god created moments of wonder in everyday life.The Grand HouseBy Km Architecture Office, Vnh Phc, VietnamPhotos by Hoang LeIts the light that stops you at The Grand House. Filtered through a terracotta brise soleil, it hits white interior walls in shifting bands that move continuously across the surface, working almost like a sundial. In practical terms, the screen manages heat and softens the harsh mid-day glare, but it does something else, too. It makes you look.Nowhere is this more evident than at the staircase, placed at the heart of the plan, where light and shadow gather and change spectacularly throughout the day. Its a simple, purposeful gesture, designed without fuss, and yet it transforms a transitional space into something memorable.Dyes Inlet FarmhouseBy SHED Architecture & Design Modern Architects Seattle, Silverdale, WashingtonPhotos by Rafael SoldiAt Dyes Inlet Farmhouse, wonder is found in the act of waking up. The bedroom windows arent oversized or overworked, but their placement is exact. From the bed, the view beyond is uninterrupted, capturing the inlet within the confines of a clean, minimal frame. The shifting tide and distant tree line are so striking they could be a landscape painting. The home was redesigned to honor its history and rural setting, and the alignment between guest, window and view turns a private sanctuary into something both expansive and awe-inspiring.ATTO SuitesBy Pedevilla Architects, San Candido, ItalyPhotos by Gustav WilleitAt ATTO Suites in San Candido, wonder comes not from the view alone, but from how completely the architecture absorbs you into it. The suites are lined with regional spruce and stone pine, chosen as much for their scent and grain as for their provenance. Terrazzo floors and tinted concrete reference the geology of the nearby Sesto brook, while drop-shaped motifs nod to local alpine craft. The result is a space that feels made of the very mountains that overlook it. Each room opens to at least two aspects, with a private loggia set like a theatre box in front of the Haunold peaks. The view is spectacular, but its the interior, and its absolute commitment to place, that makes it unforgettable.The Green HouseBy S^A | Schwartz and Architecture, Palo Alto, CaliforniaPhoto by Ayla ChristmanFor many, a long soak in a deep tub could easily be one of the worlds greatest wonders, and at The Green House, it really is the bath that delivers the pause. Set low against a large picture window, the freestanding tub looks not out, but in framing a dense patch of planting at eye level. The greenery sits so close it feels architectural rather than decorative, as if the garden beyond has been drawn right into the room. A small sanctuary, executed with absolute precision.Designed in 1966 by Aaron Green, Frank Lloyd Wrights West Coast protg, and recently expanded with care, its no surprise that the house is full of thoughtful details and many moments of wonder. A stunning terrace surrounded by wildflowers, perfectly positioned windows to draw in light at every opportunity, and even a vinyl nook to browse through records at hearts content. Its a home thats both carefully curated and completely absorbing from one corner to the next.Split HouseBy NAJAS ARQUITECTOS, Quito, EcuadorSplit House may be named for its clear division of public and private zones, but its greatest split is the one that makes room for a living tree. Rather than uproot it, Najas Arquitectos wrapped a spiral staircase around the trunk, allowing it to rise unbroken through all three levels in Quitos Tumbaco Valley.A linear skylight runs overhead, tracing the bark with shifting daylight from dawn to dusk. At the ground floor, the trunk is seen through full-height glazing; by the first landing, its fully immersive. The simple act of leaving nature where it belongs is transformative, and the result is a moment of wonder that shapes how you move through and experience a home.Got a project thats too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. The post From Pyramids to Picture Windows: A New Era of Architectural Wonder appeared first on Journal.

Architizers Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the worlds best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open click here to receive program updates.Its not every day you walk into a gallery or museum and realize youre part of the exhibition. But its hard to feel like anything else when standing inside a glass box next to a priceless international art collection, being ogled by other pieces and members of the public alike.This rare epiphany evokes a strange sense of empathy and even sympathy for art as objectified by industry and society. You begin to feel sorry for figures like the Mona Lisa and finally understand the pain of Edvard Munchs tortured figure in The Scream. How does it feel to be stared at and glared at by strangers all day, every day? (Maybe with the exception of Mondays, when most British cultural institutions are closed.)Whichever way youre looking at whatever it is youre looking at, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts presents it very differently. One case in point is the chaise longue to lie in and share secrets up close and personal with portraiture.Completed in 1978 and funded by the family behind one of the UKs biggest supermarket chains, even the institutions inception was against the grain. While enthusing over the anti-establishment roots of this inimitable facility, Jago Cooper, director since a 2023 relaunch, tells us the benefactors took just one piece of advice before the project began: If youre going to build a gallery unlike other galleries, dont listen to anyone from the art world.Aerial view of The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts by Foster + Partners, Norwich, United KingdomInstead, they looked to then-rising architects Norman Foster and the late Wendy Cheesman. The Norwich site, which sits on the University of East Anglia campus, is the first of many public buildings from the behemoth master planner and was never going to go quietly. The design reflects and enacts the institutions radical programming premise.Among the statement features, 30-foot (9-meter) floor-to-ceiling glass walls and full-size trees in the main exhibition space responded to the modernist ideal of bringing nature and the built environment together. The internal foliage has since gone, but the location, in the midst of the centers sculpture park and those vast windows, remains and continues to achieve the desired results.The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts by Foster + Partners, Norwich, United KingdomMuseums, art, and all industries have loads of norms that become established, says Cooper. The genuine people who come with a fresh set of eyes and are not just looking at the structure and trying to change it, they are starting something with a completely blank canvas.There is a fundamental difference between trying to change an institution or a way of thinking, trying to change something that already exists, and when you start with a blank page from scratch, he continues. Because then you wouldnt start off on the same pathway; its totally different.Sadly, the original cantilever system has also been confined to history; it would have moved as hours of the day passed, casting the interior in a different light depending on the suns position. However, the most unique aspect of the project is more difficult to see at first glance. When it opened, the Sainsbury Centre was Britains largest open plan space ever realized, with an overall floor area of 77,500 square feet (7,200 square meters). Measuring 490 feet (150 meters) in length, its as vast as an aircraft hangar, and there are near-endless ways it can be configured, depending on the use cases.The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts by Foster + Partners, Norwich, United KingdomAlthough there are some distinct spaces, including those on the lower level, the building is dedicated to a single area for the most part. Here, there are no predetermined routes or hierarchy of work. Everything is equal, and visitors are free to explore as they choose. And even the more siloed exhibitions are not ring-fenced like standard galleries. The UK is lucky that many public museums and cultural destinations are free to enter. Still, visiting and special programs often charge a premium and are found in clearly delineated zones.At the Sainsbury Centre, visitors pay what they feel, and the whole place is dedicated to big, overarching questions that run for seasons. These are not really separate exhibits but parts of an overarching theme. Why Do People Take Drugs? What Is Truth? And, currently: Will The Seas Survive Us? The big quandaries are honed down from open calls on social media. Shortlists then get posted in staff areas and voted on by everyone there. Its pretty much fair game, albeit with a couple of caveats.Becoming a work of art inside The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts by Foster + Partners, Norwich, United Kingdom | Photo by Kate WolstenholmeIf youre going to empower people to make their own decisions about what they want to do, this goes to the bigger question of the museum itself why do museums exist? Well, its to help society. So, therefore, the starting point is not a question that arises from the world of art or art history or archeology or anthropology; its the sort of question all people everywhere in society want an answer to, Cooper explains before moving on to how the building itself facilitates the Sainsbury Centre approach.You basically create an open-plan labyrinth where the art isnt on a wall; its in this three-dimensional space. Then, you choose your own pathway through that space, and all the art is in cultural dialogue across space and in that space. So, it means that you take ownership of your own journey through that space, and its very empowering to the visitor. And then the entrance is discrete not too confrontational, he tells us.The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts by Foster + Partners, Norwich, United Kingdom | Photo by Kate WolstenholmeSometimes, you need to be reminded were just talking about a large metal box with windows. But thats precisely the point. Minimalist in the pure sense, by completely ignoring what remains the modus for galley design, evident everywhere from the British Museum and the Louvre to Tate Modern, Fosters blueprint presents a bold challenge for any arts center: remove distractions, free up interpretations, and let the work speak for itself, on its own terms. Arguably, it is the greatest litmus test for the quality of the collection and thematic concepts.You can walk in any direction, go anywhere, and work might even force you to change your bodily position. So because the art isnt on a wall, and youre not walking down a corridor or going into a rectangle and then walking around the edge of the room, because its in this three-dimensional space where youre walking through and around it, youre changing your bodily position. Youre bending down, youre up, youre looking there, says Cooper. [Youre] not feeling like youre on a journey just following, you know, the highlights tour of a museum.In nearly all other museums, theres a big grand entrance, and you sort of go up steps into them, and then they have these hallways, and theres a pathway around them into different galleries, which divide up either on chronology or impressionism or other big words, he adds. This is anything but that.Architizers Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the worlds best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Preregistration is now open click here to receive program updates.The post Form Follows Freedom: Relaunching Foster + Partners Sainsbury Centre appeared first on Journal.

These annual rankings were last updated on April 4, 2025. Want to see your firm on next years list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studios ranking.Spain is comprised of a culturally rich landscape adorned with Christian, Muslim and Jewish iconography. Spains global architectural influence is also attributed to its colonial rule over Latin America, which expanded its architectural power in the 16th century and has since found its way back to the architectural lexicon through the Spanish Revival style. The rich ornament and decoration in its historic architecture continue in the contemporary context. Think 19th-century Catalan Modernism, spearheaded by the famous Antoni Gaud: structures like the Sagrada Famlia are far from unadorned.The 19th century also brought forth a boom in urban development, with large city expansions and increased attention to urbanization (the term was actually coined in Barcelona); such planning efforts continue to inform the nations public housing projects of today. Following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, a lively architectural culture flourished to some, the epitome of democratic design as figures like Oriol Bohigas and Rafael Moneo positioned Spain at the forefront of global architectural discussions. Today, evaluations of the Bilbao Effect and the legacy of architects like Ricardo Bofill continue to dominate design conversations.With so many architecture firms to choose from, its 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 Spain 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 firms level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firms 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 Spain architecture firms throughout the year.Without further ado, here are the 30 best architecture firms in Spain:30. NOMO STUDIO NOMO STUDIONOMO studio is based in Barcelona and Stockholm. We are a young multidisciplinary team of architects and designers within various fields of architecture and product design. We do not resign ourselves to anything less than creativity, uniqueness and strong concepts in our work.Some of NOMO STUDIOs most prominent projects include:Curved House, Balearic Islands, IB, SpainPatio House, Balearic Islands, IB, SpainSTRNGNSFrame House, Balearic Islands, IB, SpainSes Menorquines, Es Mercadal, Spain The following statistics helped NOMO STUDIO achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 5 Total Projects 25 29. SCT Estudio de Arquitectura SCT ESTUDIO DE ARQUITECTURASCT Estudio de Arquitectura was founded in 1996 by ngel Snchez-Cantalejo and Vicente Toms. After 25 years we have had the opportunity to work with many different projects, from single family homes, residential buildings, boutique hotels, urban and resort hotels, healthcare buildings, a ferry terminal, an art museum and institutional buildings. In SCT Estudio de Arquitectura we create architecture with local inspiration to build contemporary global architecture.We feel like an architectural design is a process. And, for every design, there is a theoretical introduction and a romantic idea. Theres always a reality: what the terrain is like, where the site is located, its orientation, what the views are, what the landscape is like, the vegetation, the cultural context, etc.; and then theres the idea you imagine for that reality: forms, materials, spaces, etc.Some of SCT ESTUDIO DE ARQUITECTURAs most prominent projects include:CASA LAMA, Santa Ponsa, SpainCENTRE DE SALUT PALMANOVA, Palma Nova, SpainCENTRE DE SALUT VILA, Balearic Islands, IB, SpainVILLA ELEVEN, Palma, SpainBARTOLOME ROSSELLO, Palma, Spain The following statistics helped SCT ESTUDIO DE ARQUITECTURA achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Finalist 2 Featured Projects 4 Total Projects 41 28. Moneo Brock JORGE TABOADAMoneo Brock is an international architectural, planning and design firm of versatile professionals committed to the identification and implementation of sustainable solutions, with great faith in the promise of good design.As we begin our work we carefully consider each projects urban and natural context. Projects are thereafter developed with a clear sense of place and purpose. Finally, construction details are always rigorously controlled in order to be in concordance with the projects fundamental concept.We are sensitive to the synergies that emerge in collaborative processes, viewing teamwork as fundamental to the creation of great work. We see each job as an opportunity to create a unique structure that can transform a part of the world, no matter the scale.Some of Moneo Brocks most prominent projects include:Plaza de la Villa, Sencelles, SpainParish Church in Pueblo Serena, Monterrey, Monterrey, MexicoColumbia University Northwest Corner Building, New York City, New YorkCasa Velzquez, Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicCasa TEC 205, Monterrey, Mexico The following statistics helped Moneo Brock achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Winner 1 A+Awards Finalist 3 Featured Projects 5 Total Projects 11 27. Mano de Santo Mano de SantoArchitecture team based in Valencia and directed by the architects Ana Gil, Francesc de Paula Garcia y Francisco Miravete, we work developing projects, creating spaces, and product design. Each project is the result of a continuous process of research, compromises, in search of the right meaning. This process balances different factors including crativity, knowledge, technology, tradition, reason and emotion.Some of Mano de Santos most prominent projects include:Ermita House, Godella, SpainDetached house CASA FORMENT, Valencia, SpainDetached house CASA KLAMAR, Valencia, SpainPunta de Mar, Alicante, SpainBENLLIURE HOUSE, Valencia, Spain The following statistics helped Mano de Santo achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 21 26. gon gongon is an architecture office headed by Gonzalo Pardo. Its practice focuses on the research and development of multi-scale projects whose common denominator is a ludic, experimental, critical, and optimistic point of view of contemporaneity. Its interests focus on the creative processes of architectural design and construction, but also on the role that mediation and communication play in architecture as fundamental vehicles for transforming the world into a more sustainable, dignified, and free place.Some of gons most prominent projects include:StoRED home, Madrid, SpainG house, Madrid, Spainsequencehouse, Madrid, SpainM.R HOUSE, Madrid, Spaindozen doors, Madrid, Spain The following statistics helped gon achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 17 25. Zooco Estudio Zooco EstudioZooco is an architecture studio founded in 2009. The studio covers a wide spectrum of design, from large-scale building to furniture design. The application of solutions adapted to the client and their needs, and the use of a timeless language, free of noise and artifice, are the hallmarks of a studio in permanent search for new challenges.In a world as changing and fleeting as the current one, we look for architectural and spatial solutions that stand the test of time, that endure through the constant irruption of trends and fashions, phenomena that cause the immediate expiration of most creative proposals. One of our main objectives is to present design as an added value, profitable to achieve the commercial success of a business.Some of Zooco Estudios most prominent projects include:MODULOR, Madrid, SpainPERMETRO, Madrid, SpainHOTEL AZUL, Cantabria, Cantabria, SpainJHouse, Madrid, SpainM4: House looking at the forest, Madrid, Spain The following statistics helped Zooco Estudio achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 23 24. Nan Arquitectos Nan ArquitectosArchitects in Pontevedra Galicia Spain. Their work is mostly centered around residential and commercial architecture.Some of Nan Arquitectos most prominent projects include:Vivienda en Villagarca, Vilagarca de Arousa, SpainClinica dental Dr. Pablo Sieiro, Cangas, SpainIconweb, Pontevedra, SpainNan architects Office, Pontevedra, SpainCentro Sana Sana pilates, O Porrio, Spain The following statistics helped Nan Arquitectos achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 28 23. mari castell, architecture mari castell, architectureThe studio began its course in February 2002 with the first public and private initiative projects in Formentera. The connection, the respect and the commitment with the culture, the landscape and the territory of the minor of the Pitisas islands was determining in the professional and personal orientation chosen.To address larger-scale projects or to expand the geographical limits of the actions in a timely manner, decentralization has been chosen through external collaborations with other studies and professionals with similar values. Formentera historically has opted for a dispersed occupation model of very low density, and in this context the isolated single-family dwelling has been the most common program to be solved.Some of mari castell, architectures most prominent projects include:Bosc den Pep Ferrer, Balearic Islands, PM, SpainEs Pou, Balearic Islands, IB, SpainCasa 88, Balearic Islands, PM, SpainHome Office in Formentera island, Balearic Islands, PM, SpainCan Manuel den Corda, Balearic Islands, PM, Spain The following statistics helped mari castell, architecture achieve 23rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 9 22. luis vidal + architects (LVA) luis vidal + architects (LVA)Luis Vidal founded luis vidal + architects (LVA) in 2004.LVA is a creative platform that offers responsible and quality designs in response to the urban and social challenges of today: (urban planning, buildings and industrial design).In a short period of time, LVA has developed a consistent trajectory expressed in more than 80 projects, and the studio is internationally recognized for its expertise in airport and hospital design, having become one of the leading and most innovative practices committed to the search for functional and flexible design.The philosophy of LVA relies on improving quality of life through design, focusing on the user as the starting point and main priority in all their projects. Regardless of the scale, the all projects in the studios portfolio are born with the same DNA that defines LVA: its social, economic and environmental commitment.Some of luis vidal + architects (LVA)s most prominent projects include:Castellana 77, Madrid, SpainBoston Logan International Airport Terminal E, Boston, MassachusettsTerminal 2 -the Queens terminal- Heathrow Airport, London, United KingdomCentro Botn, Santander, SpainCommunity Center + CESFAM Matta Sur, Santiago, Chile The following statistics helped luis vidal + architects (LVA) achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Finalist 3 Featured Projects 5 Total Projects 7 21. Egue y Seta Egue y SetaA team with a sharp eye and big ears! Architects and engineers along with graphic, industrial and of course, interior designers, we all design mainly with our ears!At EGUE Y SETA we approach every project with the certainty that clients do know what they need, like and consider aesthetically pleasing. They have helped us become, one project at a time, listening experts! Tell us about your project or how youd like to live!Some of Egue y Setas most prominent projects include:Gindus 16, 16, Calle Fernando el Santo, Madrid, SpainFrankfurt Station, 35, Carrer de la Creu Coberta, Barcelona, SpainHouse Benicassim, Valencia, SpainUrban beach home, SpainPoblenou ein 3 acts, Barcelona, Spain The following statistics helped Egue y Seta achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 40 20. 05 AM Arquitectura 05 AM ArquitecturaOur practice and professional expertise is based on the realisation of projects, interiors and landscapes architecture. Our work is always a result of a dialogue, trying to understand and to shape the needs and wishes of our clients, applying our self-judgment to reach coherent results that express clearly the quality of spaces, lights and materials. Our aim is to adapt ourselves and overcome any previous constraints to make the most out of each of our project, designing comfortable and quality spaces and go beyond clients expectations.We have carried out projects both for public administration, public competitions and private commissions, having a vast experience in the last one, either in interior renovations or new constructions.Some of 05 AM Arquitecturas most prominent projects include:Maison colombages with 4 alcoves, Saint-Maur-des-Fosss, FranceHOUSE IN FRONT OF A STREAM IN CASS DE LA SELVA, Cass de la Selva, SpainHealth Center in Sant Vicen de Castellet, Sant Vicen de Castellet, SpainHouse with a space for the exhibition of contemporary art, Valldoreix, SpainHouse in Sa Riera, Girona, CT, Spain The following statistics helped 05 AM Arquitectura achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 11 19. Dom Arquitectura Jordi AngueraWe understand each project as a different challenge, we face trying to innovate, experiment and learn from each one. We especially like the relationship with their environment, urban or natural. Integrate it into the site, flow with your feelings, and perceptions of our intense look on the nature of the place, gives us the basis to define each project.We enjoy architecture as if it were a game. It involves the management of light, shape, materials and their creative process. The strong finish is what makes us happy and so we work hard every day.Some of Dom Arquitecturas most prominent projects include:Stand Sauleda, Stuttgart, GermanyMountain Guest House, Barcelona, SpainRehabilitation in la Cerdanya, La Cerdanya, CT, SpainWood Studio House, Sant Cugat del Valls, SpainLes Algues Chill & Drinks, Roses, Spain The following statistics helped Dom Arquitectura achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 18 18. b720 Fermn Vzquez Arquitectos Adri Goulab720 Fermn Vzquez Arquitectos is, first and foremost, a team. Founded in 1997 by Fermn Vzquez and Ana Bassat, b720 is a multicultural, multilingual architecture firm employing over 40 professionals of different nationalities. The team operates from its offices in Madrid and Barcelona and has worked in more than 85 projects, in 12 contries over the last 25 years.The studio produces contemporary architecture with a commitment to the responsible use of natural resources. The output of b720 is based on solid design and strict control of budgets and deadlines. Team members, project managers, partners, and consultants work closely on each project, as part of a process in which the studio is involved from the initial concept stage all the way to its final implementation.Some of b720 Fermn Vzquez Arquitectos most prominent projects include:Polaris North Offices, Madrid, SpainKNEM Offices, Barcelona, SpainLHospitalet Housing, LHospitalet de Llobregat, SpainIndra Corporate Building, Barcelona, SpainGran Casino Costa Brava, Lloret de Mar, Spain The following statistics helped b720 Fermn Vzquez Arquitectos achieve 18th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Winner 2 Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 15 17. Ral Snchez Architects Ral Snchez ArchitectsRAS arquitectura is an architecture and design practice based in Barcelona, founded by Ral Snchez. The firm develops a professional activity which escapes specialization in order to cover all types of work and projects related to architecture, urbanism and design, as well as resources, ideas and techniques management. Regardless of the type, scale, location or budget, every new work is a new challenge.Some of Ral Snchez Architects most prominent projects include:Apartment Tibbaut, Barcelona, SpainHouse 1016, Castelldefels, SpainTamarit Apartment, Barcelona, SpainCorsega Apartment, Barcelona, SpainDuplex Tibbaut, Barcelona, Spain The following statistics helped Ral Snchez Architects achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 8 Total Projects 10 16. SCOB Architecture & Landscape Adri GoulaSergi Carulla and Oscar Blasco are both architects and landscape architects who trained in Barcelona. In 2005 they founded SCOB architecture and landscape studio, where they have been developing projects that combine both disciplines. They are professors of the Master in Landscape Architecture and the Bachelors Degree in Landscaping of the ETSAB, at Universidad Politcnica de Catalua (UPC).Their work has been recognized through the years by winning several prestigious international awards and competitions. In 2020, they have won the LILA Award by Landezine, and the Jury & Popular Choice awards by ARCHITIZER, all of them for their landscape architecture project Terra Dominicata Hotel & Winery.Some of SCOB Architecture & Landscapes most prominent projects include:Landscape architecture for Terra Dominicata Hotel & winery, Tarragona, SpainOneOcean Marina Port Vell, Barcelona, SpainCasa Pich i Pon. LOOM Plaza Catalunya, Barcelona, SpainClimatic Islands, public spaces at Barcelonas Old Port, Barcelona, SpainPort Museum, Barcelona, Spain The following statistics helped SCOB Architecture & Landscape achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Winner 4 Featured Projects 6 Total Projects 13 15. OHLAB / oliver hernaiz architecture lab OHLAB / oliver hernaiz architecture labPaloma Hernaiz and Jaime Oliver direct OHLAB, an office devoted to urban analysis and cultural research of contemporary society through design, architectural practice and urban strategy. Based in Palma de Mallorca, the team consists of 20 architecture, interior design and engineering professionals. OHLAB is currently working on different hotel, residential and commercial projects in Spain and abroad.Some of OHLAB / oliver hernaiz architecture labs most prominent projects include:CONCEPT STORE IN MIAMI, Miami, FloridaCAN BORDOY, Palma, SpainMM HOUSE, Palma, SpainCASA PALERM, Lloret de Vistalegre, SpainPaseo Mallorca 15, Palma, Spain The following statistics helped OHLAB / oliver hernaiz architecture lab achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Finalist 3 Featured Projects 5 Total Projects 10 14. Roman Izquierdo Bouldstridge Roman Izquierdo BouldstridgeWe are an architectural studio that works in very diverse fields of design, from urban planning and architecture to interior design and objects. We combine professional practice with artistic experimentation and research.We design each project based on the daily experience of people, seeking a balance between functionality, relationship with environment and beauty of spaces created to be lived in a natural way. We keep a close dialogue with our clients through the design process, deeply understanding their needs and expectations, applying innovative tailored solutions and paying special attention to detail.Some of Roman Izquierdo Bouldstridges most prominent projects include:Multidisciplinary design office, Barcelona, SpainLes Corts Apartment, Barcelona, SpainSant Antoni Lofts, Barcelona, SpainColvin Florist, Barcelona, SpainCosta Brava House, Girona, CT, Spain The following statistics helped Roman Izquierdo Bouldstridge achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 9 Total Projects 13 13. Pepe Gascn Arquitectura Pepe Gascn ArquitecturaPepe Gascn Architecture is an architectural studio with an extensive experience and professional background. Its work has been recognized through publications and awards, national and international. The study has a multidisciplinary team where reigns the creative and innovative spirit. It also has external collaboration of the best experts in the most varied disciplines.We develop projects of architecture, interior design and urban space design, covering all the stages of the construction process: from the project, its management, as well as its subsequent realization. Through an integral control of the construction process, we are able to manage projects from initial conception to final realization, always in the planned budget and timing. We develop each project with a great intensity, rigor and professionalism, trying to do a sober and essential architecture, provided with innovative solutions and timeless character.Some of Pepe Gascn Arquitecturas most prominent projects include:Barbacoa House, Barcelona, SpainJuncal & Rodney home, Begur, SpainAttic Apartment, Barcelona, SpainToni HouseSant Miquel Special Education School, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain The following statistics helped Pepe Gascn Arquitectura achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 24 12. Barozzi / Veiga Barozzi / VeigaBarozzi / Veiga is an architectural office devoted to architecture and urbanism, that was founded in 2004 in Barcelona by Fabrizio Barozzi and Alberto Veiga. The office has won numerous prizes in national and international competitions among them, the Rehabilitacin of the Palacio de Santa Clara in beda, the Auditorioum of guilas, the Headquarter of the D.O. Ribera del Duero in Roa, the Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin, the Muse de Beaux-arts in Lausanne, the extension of the Bndner Kunstmuseum in Chur, the School of Music in Brunico and the Tanzhaus in Zrich.Some of Barozzi / Veigas most prominent projects include:Auditorium and Congress Center, guilas, SpainMusic School, Bruneck, ItalyMuse Cantonal des Beaux-Arts de Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandTanzhaus Zurich, Zrich, SwitzerlandHeadquarters Ribera del Duero, Burgos, Spain The following statistics helped Barozzi / Veiga achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 7 11. RUBN MUEDRA ESTUDIO DE ARQUITECTURA RUBN MUEDRA ESTUDIO DE ARQUITECTURARubn Muedra founded RUBN MUEDRA ESTUDIO DE ARQUITECTURA in 2010, with the conviction that architecture is the way to provide well-being to people. Always solving technical and functional needs through architecture, but without renouncing beauty through innovation, insinuation or provocation. And living in continuous learning, always close to known or previously explored limits.Since the formation of the Studio, the work has always been oriented towards the pursuit of excellence in each project, creating architecture of the highest quality and precision. Each project that the Studio initiates is a new challenge and in all of them, we try to achieve complete customer satisfaction.Some of RUBN MUEDRA ESTUDIO DE ARQUITECTURAs most prominent projects include:ALPHA HOUSE, Valencia, SpainDUNE HOUSE, Valencian Community, SpainCONCRETE HOUSE, Valencia, SpainBRISE SOLEIL HOUSE, Valencia, SpainMURVIEDRO SILK HOUSE, Valencia, Spain The following statistics helped RUBN MUEDRA ESTUDIO DE ARQUITECTURA achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 9 Total Projects 22 10. IDOM IDOMIDOM is a leading multidisciplinary group that provides engineering, architecture and consulting services around the world.Some of IDOMs most prominent projects include:San Mams, Bilbao, Spain58 Public Housing Torresolo, Leioa, SpainSalburua Civic Center, Vitoria-Gasteiz, SpainThe Masterplan of the University of Gastronomic, Tourism and Environmental SciencesLima Convention Centre (LCC) , Lima District, Peru The following statistics helped IDOM achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Finalist 4 Featured Projects 9 Total Projects 16 9. AGi architects AGi architectsThe international design firm AGi architects was founded by architects Joaqun Prez-Goicoechea and Nasser B. Abulhasan. With a noticeable international character and a multidisciplinary focus, AGi architects offers a professional service emphasizing quality, creativity and exclusive design. AGi has a vision to create environments that create a lasting value for clients through distinctive and imaginative solutions. At present, the studio has offices in Kuwait and Madrid, with a team comprised of more than 50 professionals.The studios architecture is based on four founding pillars: innovation, an inherent life component, ecological and social interventions and research. AGi architects provides comprehensive services in architecture, interior design and urban planning.Some of AGi architects most prominent projects include:Mission Possible The UN Opportunity Pavilion, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesTrazas de Pontevedra, Pontevedra, SpainLa Ascension del Senor Church, Sevilla, SpainAli Mohammed T. Al-Ghanim Clinic, KuwaitStar House, Ahmadi, Kuwait The following statistics helped AGi architects achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Winner 1 A+Awards Finalist 2 Featured Projects 9 Total Projects 28 8. Mateo Arquitectura Mateo ArquitecturaMateo Arquitectura is an architectural practice led by Josep Llus Mateo. It is globally active and tries to connect intelligence and artistic ambition with pragmatism and objectivity.Some of Mateo Arquitecturas most prominent projects include:Film Theatre of Catalonia, Carrer dEspalter, Barcelona, SpainThe FactoryBetween Sky and Earth: Prague National Gallery Entrance Hall 2004-2012, Prague, Czech RepublicRemodelling of El Ninot Market in Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainPGGM Headquarters, Zeist, Netherlands The following statistics helped Mateo Arquitectura achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 10 Total Projects 24 7. CrystalZoo CrystalZooCystalZoo arises from the idea of a studio as a discussion forum. It is immersed continuously in a learning process and research of new techniques, because the intervention in a metropolitan scale needs mutable plans able to adapt themselves to the agents involved in each treatment, time or environment and to the specific needs of each project as well. We are experts in low cost architecture and design.The concept of CrystalZoo Team emerges from the idea of the architectural studio as a heterogeneous and multidisciplinary centre. Each member comes from a different cultural and professional field and possesses special characteristics, which are combined to contribute to the enrichment of the group as collective.Some of CrystalZoos most prominent projects include:Coworking LAB Nuca, Alacant, SpainExpansion of Government Offices, Alicante, SpainVELDROMO LUIS NAVARRO AMORS, Novelda, SpainCasal de la Juventud de Novelda, Novelda, SpainThe Tossal Social Center, Alicante, Spain The following statistics helped CrystalZoo achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Winner 4 Featured Projects 7 Total Projects 8 6. Picharchitects/Pich-Aguilera Picharchitects/Pich-AguileraThe respect for the environment as a value that has to be managed became a social consensus. Architecture has to search for new alternatives that propose a more stimulating relation with nature and an honest application of natural resources. This can give us objective guide lines to approach planning and construction technology from a really contemporary point of view. To approach the project from a knowledge of the building mechanisms and planning.The dialogue between multidisciplinary teams during the development of the project. The industrialization of the construction process as a way of increasing quality and comfort and of reducing costs. New architectural forms as a result of the aspiration of the environment and not of an individual expression.Some of Picharchitects/Pich-Aguileras most prominent projects include:University Hospital Sant Joan, Reus, SpainTelefonica Moviles Building, Ciudad Real, SpainEXPERIMENTAL CENTER FOR THE AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION MAGICAL . TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENTIFIC PARK., Lleida, SpainMagical Science and Technology Park, Lleida, SpainPOMARET HOUSES, Barcelona, Spain The following statistics helped Picharchitects/Pich-Aguilera achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 10 Total Projects 22 5. selgascano Iwan Baanselgascano was established in Madrid in 1998. It is a small atelier and intends to remain so. They have worked with a wide variety of projects keeping always nature at the core of the program. Its work is focused on research into the construction process, which is treated as an ongoing process of `listening to the largest possible number of elements involved, from manufacture to installation. Selgascano avoids the use of games and mechanisms that lead to disciplinary issues and strives to seek beauty that is comprehensible to any human being.They tend not to give lectures or classes in order to focus intensely on their projects, although they were involved with the MIT (2013-14) in a short-term extension of the studios main concern: an intense search for new outlets for nature using artificial means, applying technologies borrowed from other fields that are rarely mixed with architecture.Some of selgascanos most prominent projects include:El B, Cartagena, SpainPavilion Martell, Cognac, FranceBrugge Pavilion, Bruges, BelgiumPlasencia Auditorium & Congress Centre, Plasencia, SpainDesign District Canteen, London, United Kingdom The following statistics helped selgascano achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 9 Total Projects 9 4. arnau estudi darquitectura arnau estudi d'arquitecturaAsk on the spot, listen to the customer, follow your gut. To believe in the magical power of the first idea, in the wisdom of innocence; make sincere architecture. Love the detail of a texture on a facade and the touch of the backrest on a chair. Clinging to the beauty of a random patch of fresh grass and the warmth of a weather-beaten wooden can; to all that is true. Load the haystack, the threshing floor and the seat into the rucksack.Some of arnau estudi darquitecturas most prominent projects include:RETINA HOUSE, Santa Pau, SpainCASA MOSSEGADA / BITTEN HOUSE, Sant Feliu de Pallerols, SpainESPAI VERTICAL / VERTICAL SPACE, Olot, SpainCASERNA / QUARTER, Bas, SpainCARRERAS FARMHOUSE BARN, Girona, Spain The following statistics helped arnau estudi d'arquitectura achieve 4th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 12 Total Projects 14 3. BATON BATONBATON emerged in the 1990s as an architecture studio with a clear goal: to develop meticulous architecture projects and promote housing with a strong commitment to design and the impeccable quality of the final result. Since then, there has been ongoing research into materials and new solutions that are incorporated into projects. The team of professionals at BATON makes a continuous effort to improve the solutions they offer to their clients to achieve more sustainable, beautiful, and timeless homes.Before reaching 25 years of history, BATON has left its mark on more than 500 new construction and renovation projects (homes, hotels, offices, restaurants) in Spain and abroad, and its work has been recognized in specialized press in over 80 countries.BATON offers, along with its architecture, interior design, and construction services, decoration, furnishing, and landscaping services, adding value, coherence, and ease to the process.Some of BATONs most prominent projects include:PORTABLE HOME APH80, Madrid, SpainCOMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION IN ALCAL, Madrid, SpainCOUNTRY HOUSE IN EXTREMADURA, EX, SpainVALLADOLID PROJECT, Madrid, SpainBATON MAUSOLEUM, Madrid, Spain The following statistics helped BATON achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: A+Awards Winner 4 Featured Projects 11 Total Projects 39 2. Nook Architects Nook ArchitectsFrom Barcelona, Joan G Corts and Rubn F Berenguer direct Nook Architects, paying special attention to the most relevant aspects for the user, without losing sight of the balance between context, functionality and materiality. Its premise is to achieve timeless and comfortable spaces that allow the user to modify them to adapt them to their needs over time.Some of Nook Architects most prominent projects include:THE BOOKCASE, Barcelona, SpainAUGUST, Barcelona, SpainMARIA & CUB, Barcelona, SpainCASA JES, Barcelona, SpainZAMNESS, Barcelona, SpainFeatured image: BEATES, Barcelona, Spain The following statistics helped Nook Architects achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 19 Total Projects 34 1. Fran Silvestre Arquitectos Fran Silvestre ArquitectosThe project approach arises from a double commitment: the will to give a technical response to a specific context (needs program, budget, regulations, environment) and the desire to seek beauty through the built work. This process pursues the satisfaction, understood in its most complete sense, of all those who actively participate in development. Especially customers and users, but also collaborators, builders and designers.Another characteristic of the process is continuity. Continuity with an environment that we must respect, spatial continuity, the use of few materials, the integration of facilities, lighting These are common factors in the work carried out. And also the search for continuity in time, valuing the architecture that is capable of going through it without becoming obsolete.The dialogue is always present, since the work becomes part of the identity of those who inhabit it.Some of Fran Silvestre Arquitectos most prominent projects include:House on Cliffside, SpainHouse between the pine forest, Paterna, SpainHofmann House, Valencia, SpainBreeze House, Castelln de la Plana, SpainCasa Balint, Btera, Spain The following statistics helped Fran Silvestre Arquitectos achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Spain: Featured Projects 46 Total Projects 62 Why Should I Trust Architizers Ranking?With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the worlds 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 worlds 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 highlightedA Guide to Project AwardsThe 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 Architizers Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a projects likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:Project completed within the last 3 yearsA well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphsArchitectural designwith a high level of both functional and aesthetic valueHigh quality, in focus photographsAt least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the buildingInclusion of architectural drawings and renderingsInclusion of construction photographsThere 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 Architizers Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.Were constantly look for the worlds 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 dont hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.The post 30 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Spain appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Picket fences, emerald lawns, and colorfully painted houses, neatly arranged in linear and circular rows, were once the hallmarks of the American Dream. In the 1950s, living in the suburbs, far away from the hustle of the bustling city, was a symbol of the ideal life and yet, even back then, the concept of suburbia was always a struggle in architectural debates. The reinforced segregation, the false visions of idyllic domesticity, and the uniform and counter-normative designs posed great challenges for architects dealing with the suburbs.Today, urban sprawl has once again taken center stage in architectural discussions. In this post-pandemic era, the rising housing market, refugee crises and youth unemployment are driving more people toward the outskirts of cities, forcing them into an urban model that does not truly meets their needs. For decades now, suburbs were considered somewhat of a dead zone, where trade, culture and entertainment could be accessed only by commuting to the big city. Still, concepts like the 15-minute city and mixed-use architecture are gradually explored as a means to improve the suburbia model in response to the rapid urban sprawl. Consequently, can the suburbia design be adapted to meet the demands of the future or does the solution lie in abandoning the model altogether?Real de los Reyes by Miguel de la Torre mta+v, Coyoacn, Mexico CityWhat defines a suburb? At its core, the single-family home serves as the fundamental unit of suburbia. The streets, highways, and infrastructural grid shape its most dominant features, while a handful of shopping centers, scattered along the outskirts, provide access to essential goods and community services. But what if we reimagined and redesigned these three defining elements?In the 1920s, Frank Lloyd Wright intensified and extended the single family home. He brought the logic of the skyscraper to the domestic scale, constructing housing units that were arranged around a central core, focusing on shared open spaces and asymmetrical designs that irregularly joined together. One century later, the Real de los Reyes project by Miguel de la Torre mta+v introduces a new model for suburban living.Located in the Coyoacan borough, south Mexico City, this group of houses is situated within a historic colonial district, filled with museums, craft markets and recreational spaces. This multi-unit residency offers an array of multifunctional interior and exterior spaces in multiple levels, accommodating to versatile ways of living. Even through the project is situated within a vibrant communal neighborhood, the design borrows elements from the surrounding context and proposes a micro-community within a thoughtfully structured residential plan.SouthWorks by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Ithaca, New YorkIn parallel, SouthWorks by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, an adaptive reuse speculative project of the historic Morse Chain Industrial site in Ithaca, showcases the power of mixed-use development and infrastructure. The project spans in nearly two million square feet of research, maker, fabrication, commercial, and public spaces, as well as mixed-income housing, activating the community and its economy, while celebrating its unique industrial history. It features 900 planned units of affordable, workforce, and market rate housing and provides multiple types of transportation options, thus minimizing the need for private vehicles. The project also employs passive design and is supported by on-site geothermal and photovoltaic solar generation.Sitting within a very different context, the 520-acre Downsview Framework Plan by Henning Larsen reimagines the future for the expansive North End neighborhood of Toronto and lays the foundation for a thriving community for generations to come. The project transforms the former Downsview Airport site and surrounding land into a new type of community, by employing climate-responsive design. One hundred acres of green spaces and integrated hydrological elements will become the new infrastructure of the neighborhood, which in turn is comprised of mid-rise residences and repurposed historic buildings found on site. The proposal is inspired by the 15-minute City concept, providing easy access to a network of residential, commercial, retail, institutional and industrial amenities through a short walk, roll, bike, or public transit ride.Downsview Framework Plan by Henning Larsen, Toronto, CanadaIt is not arbitrary that all three proposals are not tabula rasa projects. In the 1950s, the conditions of suburbia were vastly different, with many plots of uninhabited land being available for development without facing any sort of negative criticism. Today, however, architects are preaching about mindful construction and the importance of adaptive reuse, urging developers to take advantage of existing building fabrics in the outskirts of cities. Additionally, the traditional suburbia model has also proved quite unsuccessful, prompting an urgent need for innovative, community-driven alternatives.Frankly, reversing suburbia does not necessarily mean erasing it but rather rethinking its purpose, structure and potential. As cities continue to expand, the challenge lies in transforming suburban landscapes into vibrant, sustainable and inclusive environments. By embracing adaptive reuse, mixed-use developments, and organic infrastructure suburbs can evolve from isolated residential zones into dynamic, self-sufficient communities. These three projects demonstrate that the future of suburbia is not about abandonment, but reinvention where connectivity replaces isolation, density enhances livability, and sustainability drives growth. If urban sprawl is to be addressed effectively, then suburbia must no longer be a relic of the past but a model for the future.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Featured image: LevittownPA, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia CommonsThe post Suburbia 2.0: Design Solutions for Sustainable Sprawl, From Dead Ends to Destinations appeared first on Journal.

The countdown to 13th Annual A+Awards winners' announcement has begun! Stay updated by subscribing to Architizer's Awards Newsletter.Community centers play an important role in cities, offering spaces for individuals to learn, connect and share experiences. More than just physical structures, they shape how people interact with their surroundings and one another. Thoughtfully designed community centers not only meet practical needs but also foster sustainability and social well-being.Typically, these spaces serve as public hubs where community members gather for group activities, social support, public information and various other purposes. While some cater to the broader community, others focus on specific subgroups. Community centers can be community-owned, religiously affiliated, government-operated, sponsored, or commercially managed.Good architecture transforms these spaces from purely functional buildings into welcoming environments. Thoughtful use of materials, light, and spatial design enhances how people experience and engage with these places, encouraging interaction and a sense of belonging.Here, we explore seven community centers that go beyond being simple gathering spaces. These projects adopt innovative design, inclusive planning, and sustainable principles to create meaningful public spaces that bring people together in new ways.Nunawading Community HubBy fjcstudio, Nunawading, AustraliaJury Winner, Community Centers, 12th Annual A+AwardsThe community hub is built on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung People of the Kulin Nation. The place is designed as a space for sharing knowledge, gathering, and celebrating the collective memories of the people who spent their childhood there. The building is interlinked with the football oval and Tunstall Park within Nunawading Primary School. The design strategy focuses on creating a space that is open and inviting to the public, providing equitable access for all. The architecture connects with the landscape and surroundings through its simple form.Kula Vocational Training & Community CenterBy BE_Design, RwandaPopular Choice Winner, Architecture +For Good, 12th Annual A+AwardsKula Vocational Training & Community Center in northern Rwanda supports female entrepreneurs and farmers. Built from local volcanic stone on a steep hill in the Virunga range, the centers design retains the slope, avoiding costly retaining walls. A covered area made from eucalyptus hosts community events, while a kitchen provides meals. Inside, there are tailoring classes and farming seminars for women. Natural light enters through a skylight and large windows, showcasing views of the volcanoes. The design is inspired by traditional Rwandan Imigongo art, featuring a tapering glass facade that offers space for administration and a counseling room for young womens health needs program.Habitat on JuersBy REFRESH*DESIGN, Brisbane, AustraliaThe community centers is at the heart of Habitat on Juers, creating a shared space where residents can come together while still maintaining options for privacy. Juers is one of 20 social housing demonstration projects being delivered by the Queensland Government. Through its learning-by-doing approach, it offers a chance to consider what lessons might be transferable to effect systemic change by contributing to the new design guidelines for future social housing. This central area includes communal amenities that encourage social interaction and foster a sense of belonging. Each home faces the garden, providing both a connection to nature and a feeling of safety. The design encourages residents to build strong community ties, supporting a way of life where people can work, socialize, and grow older in a comfortable and welcoming environment.Arverne East RISE Community Hub and Nature Preserve HouseBy WXY architecture + urban design, Queens, New YorkBuilt in 2023, the design of the Arverne East RISE Community Hub and Nature Preserve House includes gender-neutral public restrooms that are accessible for the Nature Preserve and Community Farm, as well as for visitors to Rockaway Beach and the community during operating hours. Additionally, it features new administrative offices for the staff of the Nature Preserve and Community Garden, along with the Department of Parks and Recreation Rangers, and offers a versatile meeting space for local community gatherings.Arboretum Community CenterBy ISTUDIO Architects, Washington, DCThe community center merges heritage and innovation with principles of community enrichment, a sustainable ethos, and the preservation of historical heritage. Its master plan integrates architecture and landscape to provide spaces that are multi-faceted and functional. Most importantly, the design team led a series of community meetings to discuss the recreation center. These meetings yielded a rich tapestry of requests, ranging from amenities such as a senior room to the inclusion of boxing facilities and a half-court gymattesting to the vibrant diversity within the neighborhood. Additionally, these efforts involve collaboration with the Historic Preservation Office and the Commission of Fine Arts to oversee renovations and improve historic structures; this process helps to reimagine structures and meet users expectations.Veterans Home at Chelsea, Community Living CenterBy PAYETTE, Chelsea, MassechusettsThe community center is a long-term care facility for the Commonwealths veterans. This transformative new facility features 154 private rooms organized around shared community spaces and surrounded by generous courtyards. The design and interior planning decisions were based on research, including workshops. This includes centralized dining and living rooms within the houses, bright lighting with circadian tuning, a home-like environment with positive sensory and safety enhancements, and features that allow for personalization by residents.Erlebnis-Hus St. Peter-OrdingBy Holzer Kobler Architekturen Berlin, Sankt Peter-Ording, GermanyErlebnis-Hus St. Peter-Ording, built in 2023, aims to serve visitors of all ages and backgrounds as an inclusive meeting point. The construction features five oversized solid wood cubes that are positioned at various heights. Each of these five cubes serves a distinct purpose: they house an analog game venue, an information center and shop, a restaurant, a staff office, and sanitary facilities. A large number of terraces and stairs make the building accessible and functional on multiple outdoor levels, while a reinforced concrete core with an elevator and utility rooms stabilizes the iconic wooden structure.The countdown to 13th Annual A+Awards winners' announcement has begun! Stay updated by subscribing to Architizer's Awards Newsletter.The post More Than Bingo Nights: 7 Community Centers Raising the Social Standard appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.When one sees the words France and balcony together, a specific image comes to mind: wrought iron railings, a pair of doors that might not open all the way and just enough room to lean out with a coffee or a cigarette (in the true spirit of the French). While we all love the charm of a classic French balcony, France also excels at larger terraces with a real presence and more versatile uses (though some might argue that the original French balcony serves its purpose just fine).From wide planted platforms and stepped rooftops to deep loggias and layered facades, these outdoor spaces are no longer just decorative. Theyre functional, generous and central to the architecture. To capture that shift in scale and intent, this collection features nine projects across the country where terraces shape the building, frame the view and give users room to live beyond the walls.EmblemBy Hamonic+Masson & Associs, Lille, FranceAt the edge of Parc Matisse, Emblem rises between roads, rail lines and the city. The building steps up gradually, starting low near the park and reaching 50 meters at its tallest point. This shift in height brings light into the site and opens up views in every direction. Its most striking feature is the residential towers continuous balconies, which wrap the building in curved lines of perforated metal.These terraces extend the apartments and provide shade, airflow and outdoor space throughout the tower. The perforated metal screens filter light and add a fine texture to the curved faade. Finished in an earthy tone, the balconies pick up on the colors of the nearby park and local buildings. They shape how the tower is seen from a distance and how it is experienced by the people living inside.ARBORESCENCE Winner of Imagine AngersBy WY-TO Group, France Located between Angers historic center and the banks of the Maine, Arborescence introduces a layered design that brings nature into every part of the building. A mix of housing, senior living, childcare and co-working spaces makes it a place for all generations.Terraces define the projects identity. They shift and grow across the faade like branches, shaped by wind and light. Deep planters and green edges soften the concrete and create privacy without closing residents off from their surroundings. These outdoor spaces add texture and variety, offering different ways to live with the seasons.The building wraps around a planted courtyard, where shared spaces and gardens bring people together. Every unit opens to light, air and views of the evolving landscape.Apartments in Illkirch GraffenstadenBy tectne architectes, France In a car-free woodland near the Rhine-Rhne Canal, this six-story housing project is shaped by its calm setting and careful densification. The structure follows a compact rectangular form, allowing space for gardens and shared areas at ground level.Each of the 31 apartments includes a private loggia, framed by a concrete exoskeleton that wraps the entire building. These terraces act as sheltered extensions of the interiors, offering fresh air and outdoor space while preserving privacy. Beveled pillars and wooden guards filter views and sunlight, giving the faade a quiet rhythm. A shared rooftop terrace crowns the building, offering residents a place to meet, relax or enjoy the surrounding trees from above.LArboretumBy Leclercq associs, Nanterre, France Set along the Seine in Nanterre, Arboretum reimagines the office campus with a focus on sustainability and sensory comfort. Spanning 1355 square feet (126,000 square meters), the complex is built almost entirely from cross-laminated timber and organized around a curved central path that follows the rivers slope.Terraces play a key role in the campus design. Every office opens onto outdoor extensions some for meetings, some for quiet work, others simply for fresh air. These planted spaces vary in size and purpose but all support a connection to the surrounding landscape. The scent of wood, access to light and changing views offer a calmer work rhythm. Together, the terraces and gardens bring nature into the workday without losing sight of the sites industrial past.Tale of Transformation La Fantaisie Hotel, ParisBy PETITDIDIERPRIOUX, Paris, France Tucked between dense city blocks in Paris 13th arrondissement, Hotel Rosalie transforms a former hotel into a garden-focused retreat. The renovation keeps the original structure while introducing a new faade of pre-patinated zinc that shifts in tone with the light. At the rear, terraces open out toward a reimagined courtyard garden.These outdoor spaces extend the hotel experience beyond the rooms, offering guests a quiet place to pause, read or have a coffee. The terraces connect directly to a ground-level restaurant beneath a wide glass roof, where diners overlook dense plantings that change with the seasons. More than a simple refresh, the project is shaped by a clear goal: to give city guests a reason to slow down and step outside.Tolbiac ApartmentsBy Atelier Architecture Vincent Pareiram, Paris, France On a corner site in Paris 13th arrondissement, Les toffes de Tolbiac builds on the areas layered history, replacing former workshops with housing, retail and generous outdoor space. The project is shaped by a striking grid of balconies that stretches across three volumes, tying them into a single architectural gesture.These balconies are not just repetitions however as they they shift slightly on each floor, expanding outward as the building rises. This subtle movement increases outdoor space and creates a rhythm that softens the scale of the concrete and timber structure. On the courtyard side, shared terraces and raised walkways link the blocks, offering spaces to gather, rest or look out over the city. A rooftop garden completes the network, giving all residents access to the Paris skyline.I ParkBy NBJ architects, Montpellier, France Facing Montpelliers new city hall, I Park explores how housing can adapt to the Mediterranean climate. The eight-level building is made up of shifting horizontal bands, each one adjusted to optimize shade, airflow and outdoor living.Terraces are central to the design. Every apartment opens onto an outdoor space, with planted faades that bring greenery to the edges of each floor. These terraces vary in depth and layout, shaped by solar exposure and wind conditions. The result is a building that reads like a series of stacked gardens.Designed in close collaboration with local specialists, the project uses vegetation not as decoration, but as an essential part of daily comfort. The terraces make space for both privacy and connection, shaped by climate and site.Ateliers VaugirardBy Hamonic+Masson & Associs, Paris, FranceStretching 425 feet (130 meters) along a busy street, this housing project aims to replace repetition with variety. Ninety-six apartments are divided into 37 distinct layouts, each shaped by a generous terrace or garden. The buildings stepped form opens up views and sunlight, while breaking down the scale of its long volume.Terraces are wide and deep, averaging 215 square feet (20 square meters) per unit. These outdoor spaces give residents room to grow plants, eat outside, or simply pause between indoors and out. The planted terraces also act as visual filters, softening views between neighbors and creating a layered edge to the street. Above, the skyline rises and dips. On the ground, shops and public paths invite life to spill into and around the building.BEAUPASSAGEBy Franklin Azzi Architecture, Paris, France In Paris 7th arrondissement, a formerly hidden industrial block is carefully brought back to life through a mix of rehabilitation and new construction. Franklin Azzis design respects the sites patchwork of buildings, preserving historic faades and structures while introducing modern uses.Terraces are carved into the architecture with precision. Inserted between existing frames and new additions, they act as quiet thresholds between the homes and the city. These outdoor spaces vary in scale, responding to the irregular geometry of the site. Some open to shared courtyards, others are tucked above street level, catching light where it falls.The project stays close to the original materials and proportions, using terraces to invite daily life into a place long kept out of view.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Beyond the Balustrade, Balconies Gone Wild: How French Architecture is Expanding Outside appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Theres a moment in Doctor Strange where the Ancient One flicks Stephen Stranges astral form out of his body, and suddenly, hes tumbling through alternate dimensions. Skyscrapers bend, cities multiply and infinite versions of himself spiral past, each slightly different, each existing at the same time. In some of the more recent Spider-Man adaptations, Peter Parker (or Miles Morales, depending on what youre watching) swings across New York only to realize hes not the only one there. There are many of him, each from a different universe, each experiencing the same city in a completely different way. The idea is simple. One place, multiple realities, all unfolding at once.In this world of overlapping timelines, somewhere, there would be another version of you reading this article but with slightly better posture. This is the closest analogy to whats happening in architecture right now.You step into a museum to see a particular exhibition. Another visitor, walking the exact same path, experiences a completely different exhibition. You check into a hotel where the lobby, the lighting, and even the artwork on the walls shift based on who is present and their preferences.For all our lives, buildings have played by certain rules. A space was one thing at a time. A store was either open or closed. A stadium was either full or empty. A park and its various plant life were defined by the seasons. Even flexible spaces, like multi-use theaters or pop-up retail, operate within a single physical reality. That assumption is now collapsing.The rise of phygital architecture where physical space blends with digital augmentation has shattered the idea that a building or place must exist in just one form at a time. Digital overlays, seen through devices, screens and headsets, mean that it could be winter where we are, but our display allows us to experience a space as though it is the height of summer. Mori Art Museum by Gluckman Mayner Architects. TokyoThe Mori Art Museum in Tokyo has experimented with digital-physical exhibition hybrids, such as MAM Digital: Imaginary Landscapes, which merged real-world exhibits with interactive, AR-enhanced digital layers. While the museum itself remains a physical space, exhibitions are increasingly integrating real-time digital augmentation that allows visitors to experience different layers of content depending on how they interact with the space. In spaces like this, its possible for remote audiences to access a completely different version of the same show, with alternate sequencing, enhanced visuals, and interactive digital layers that respond to their engagement. Unlike during COVID-19 times when these types of exhibitions first started gaining traction, becoming online experiences when visits to the physical sites were restricted, now, you can still experience the architecture in person while the exhibition is shown on screen. Incorporating user data can take this idea even further. Nikes House of Innovation in Seoul is designed as a shape-shifting retail experience. The store isnt simply designed to showcase products; it reacts to its visitors. RFID tags track which items a customer picks up, adjusting nearby screens to display product details, styling suggestions, or limited-edition drops available only at that moment. In some areas, mirrors transform into interactive displays so shoppers can customize their purchases in real-time. The store adapts to who is in it, what theyre doing, and even what they might like based on their previous purchases. Opus by Zaha Hadid Architects,Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Photos by Laurian GhinitoiuHotels, always spaces that have analyzed guest data to curate seamless experiences, are beginning to apply similar ideas. At the Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in Singapore, digital installations throughout the hotel, such as sensors, make changes in things like temperature and lighting based on guest movement and hotel occupancy levels. Nowhere is it clearer than at ME Dubai, housed inside the Opus by Zaha Hadid Architects. From the moment guests check-in, AI-driven concierge systems personalize their stay, while the buildings smart rooms also adjust lighting and temperature based on individual preferences. We could soon see this personalization develop into artwork and material surfaces that change per guest. All of this points to a shift in architectural thinking and a larger trend in which spaces are being designed to operate in parallel states. But this evolution of our spaces raises the question: if two people can experience the same space in completely different ways, is it still the same place?Cities are already embedding these real-time responsive elements, too. Singapores pedestrian tracking system adjusts lighting, wayfinding and traffic flow based on density if certain areas become overcrowded, digital signage redirects foot traffic to alternative routes. While in Seoul, AI-driven kiosks allow street vendors to book and reconfigure public space, meaning the citys commercial landscape is constantly reshaping itself to what visitors need and want most but meaning no two visits would likely be the same.The Edge by PLP Architecture, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Photos by Ronald Tilleman PhotographyWith all this, it looks as though the next evolution of phygital architecture wont be more digital layers or overlays. Designing buildings that actively learn, evolve and optimize themselves over time is the new goal.The Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi, designed by Aedas Architects, was one of the first to feature a kinetic faade that responds to sunlight, automatically opening and closing to reduce heat gain and glare. The panels adjust throughout the day, optimizing internal temperatures without additional energy consumption.While in Amsterdam, The Edge, designed by PLP Architecture, is one of the most advanced self-optimizing office buildings in the world. It uses a network of over 28,000 sensors to track desk usage, air quality and occupancy, automatically adjusting lighting, temperature, and workspace assignments in response to real-time data. Employees work in an environment that continuously adapts to their needs.For architects, the change demands a completely new approach. Design form and function are not necessarily intertwined or static any longer, how space behaves, adapts, and reconfigures itself will depend upon the realities of individual participants and designing to accommodate that is incredibly complex.None of this is speculative. The next generation of cities and buildings are already being built. And just like in the multiverse, there is no going back.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Shapeshifting Spaces: How Phygital Design Is Reshaping Reality and Architecture appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.In January, Kendall Jenner of the Kardashian-Jenner clan shared a tour of her at-home tequila bar. As the founder of the award-winning tequila brand 818, it makes sense for the model slash TV star slash influencer to have one. The space itself is textbook contemporary luxury: exquisite marble surfaces, rich dark timber, stools sourced from Galerie Half, and a vintage Ralph Lauren cocktail shaker, all perfectly set up for both sipping aejo and taking selfies. Predictably, after posting the video, half the internet promptly searched for the custom home bar. Jenners carefully styled space highlights something that is becoming increasingly prominent in residential design. The home bar.Joining wellness rooms or outdoor kitchens as markers of sophisticated contemporary living, the personal bar is popping up everywhere, with the trend going deeper than celebrities promoting their various liquor companies. Economic uncertainty is nudging even the most affluent of households towards hosting intimate gatherings at home, architects and designers are responding with creativity and flair as home entertaining spaces now incorporate craftsmanship and functionality, whether its concealed cocktail stations or discreet wine rooms behind pivoting doors.The six designs that follow demonstrate how architects are cleverly and, yes, sometimes quite literally raising the bar for staying in.Upper HouseBy KOICHI TAKADA ARCHITECTS, South Brisbane, AustraliaPopular Choice Winner, Multi Unit Housing High Rise (16+ Floors), 13th Annual A+AwardsPhotos by Tom Ferguson and Mark NilonIn recent years, the word amenity has become property marketing shorthand for a windowless gym or a tokenistic co-working space. However, at Upper House in South Brisbane, communal living gets a lavish rethink. Koichi Takada Architects have included not just a rooftop lounge bar but a wine cellar and tasting room too. With fluted marble, warm timber, and thoughtful lighting design, the atmosphere feels simultaneously relaxed and refined. Designed to foster interaction and build a sense of community, they are spaces residents genuinely want to spend time in.Residence WBy fws_work, Taoyuan City, TaiwanPopular Choice Winner, Apartment, 12th Annual A+AwardsPhotos by fws_workResidence W belongs to an airline pilot whose daily commute involves more airport lounges than living rooms. Its only fitting then that the home feels like a first-class cabin. Designed by fws_work, this apartment renovation in Qinpu centers around both tranquility and craftsmanship by layering oak, woven cane, ribbed glass and earthy encaustic tiles into a sophisticated pallet.The centerpiece of the space is a moody yet inviting kitchen and bar area, darkened with black-stained millwork and ceramic tiling from 41 zero 42. Suspended shelves show off bottles as though they were artifacts in a museum by gently illuminating them. This approach highlights the subtle textures and hues of the premium whisky the owner enjoys. A considered home bar that invites slow evenings and the perfect pour.Galeria ApartmentBy ARCHITECTS OFFICE, So Paulo, BrazilPhotos by Andr KlotzGaleria Apartment isnt the sort of home youd describe as cozy, exactly. More like curated. The space, designed by French architect Gregory Bousqueta, who is known for carefully balancing Brazilian warmth with European restraint, has a relaxed elegance that encourages slowing down and staying awhile.The dedicated bar and lounge space neatly illustrates this thoughtful approach. A Wyllis sideboard by Arthur Casas gives the otherwise plain room a sense of structure, and paired with Cassinas mid-century Tre Pezzi armchairs, upholstered in burnt-orange velvet, there is a warmth that is needed for the otherwise neutral palette. Meanwhile, Adalfan Filhos playful Tapioca tea cart introduces a charm that keeps the mood from becoming overly serious. Look up, and the Skygarden lamp from Dimlux casts a soft, even glow. Its the kind of room where a cocktail could easily last an entire evening because the conversation and the furniture is just that good.Urban MetamorphosisBy Brengues Le Pavec architects, FrancePhotos by Zo ChaudeurgeTurning a warehouse into a home is always a tricky business. If you keep too much industrial grit, you risk living in perpetual gloom; smooth it out too much, and youre stuck in a sterile box. Brengues Le Pavecs solution in southern France strikes an ideal balance, embracing the buildings original metal structure while slicing open generous courtyards that flood every room with Mediterranean sunlight.Inside, two walnut-clad volumes cleverly hide away lifes more mundane necessities like laundry, storage, and services but free up space for a glass-fronted wine cellar integrated neatly into the kitchen. This tasting area, flanked by sleek black cabinetry and framed with warm wood, becomes the informal center of the home.Tyra HouseBy FIALA ARCHITECTS, Trinec, CzechiaPhotos by Luk LegierskiAt first glance, you could mistake Tyra House for a particularly bold Bond villains lair. But hidden beneath the Moravian-Silesian Beskids landscape is a thoughtfully designed, ecologically sensitive retreat. Architects FIALA has cleverly placed most of the structure underground, softening the buildings visual footprint with a lush, green roof that blends into the hillside.Beneath this serene surface, however, lies a subterranean hideaway. The dedicated wine cellar has illuminated shelving and geometric timber cabinetry that create an atmosphere similar to that of an upscale lounge. Materials such as Welsh quartzite and raw stone give the space a natural and textural backdrop, echoing the surrounding landscape. Lighting is integrated and dynamic to transform the cellar and adjoining club area into spaces built to host lively gatherings and intimate evenings.Lark HouseBy SHED Architecture & Design, Seattle, WashingtonPhotos by Rafael SoldiAs more people rethink their relationship with alcohol, the home bar doesnt necessarily need to be cocktails and wine fridges. At SHED Architecture & Designs Lark House, instead of shelves stocked with spirits, the Seattle-based project features a meticulously detailed coffee bar framed in warm white oak and accented with delicate tilework and Nero Marquina marble. Respectful of Al Bumgardners original 1958 vision yet confidently contemporary, this space in Seattle, where coffee is something of a sacred ritual, the bar becomes an intentional gathering space for slow mornings, good conversation, and perhaps the occasional philosophical debate.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Raising the Bar: 6 Home Bars Perfecting the Domestic Drink Station appeared first on Journal.

The Extended Entry Deadline for Architizer's 2025 A+Product Awards is Friday, February 21st. Get your brand in front of the AEC industrys most renowned designers by submitting today.Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.Oscar Wilde clearly had some thoughts on shades. Most of us do. But what does todays distinctly monochrome palette say about where weve got to as a species?Last September, Finnish Architectural Review published its fourth issue of the year. On high-grade paper, it should not have been as daring as it was. Yet even the editorial acknowledged dedicating a magazine to color at a point in history when hues have all but vanished from an architects toolbox was pretty bold.The publication is not alone in perceiving a prevailing sense of greyness about the world. In the UK, the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) tracked the color of objects over time and found a substantial rise in the use of grey. The results, published in 2021, also revealed a significant decline in the prevalence of browns and yellows.Sugamo Shinkin Bank / Nakaaoki Branch by emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design, Kawaguchi, JapanThe work, led by Britains Science Museum Group, examined over 7,000 photographs, identifying the shade of every pixel to create a catalogue of colour. Or lack thereof. Dark charcoal grey was the most common, which staggeringly appeared in over 80% of all pictures. The contrast of a wooden telegraph machine from the mid-1800s, ornate communications cabinet rich in reds, yellows and browns, and a late-noughties silver, black and grey iPhone, casts the decline in sharp relief.Materials drive design. Or at least feasible design. And this counts for aesthetics as much as things like durability and ergonomics. In the 21st century, we make things from other things which are much less adaptable in terms of color, and, against the infinite rusty hues of trees, way less colorful to begin with. Nevertheless, the slide into greyscale is evident across the board, including products which could easily be toned to exacting specifications. Cars being one. Buildings another.1140 Formosa Ave. by Lorcan OHerlihy Architects [LOHA], Los Angeles, CaliforniaIn his piece, Coil Coatings: Architects Secret to Brighter Metal Building Faades, architecture and communications specialist Eric Baldwin offers some hope that contemporary resources and materials are not binding us to a grey future by presenting a number of examples of bright coatings applied to modern exterior walls. Apparently, its possible to recreate almost any color or effect. And in her collection, 10 Buildings Making Bold Statements with Color and Form, Architizers Nidhi Upadhyaya offered more eye-candy counterpoints celebrating the countless shades architects have at their disposal.Colorful backdrops and quirky aesthetics are accumulating millions of likes and saves on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, she wrote at the time. Given the power of digital networks to make or break governments, let alone inspire design, the apparently-subconscious move to a more monochrome side of life is even more jarring. Were making things people are not naturally conditioned to notice.Wolf Creek Library by Leo A Daly, Atlanta, Georgia, an example of bright coil coatings on metal building faadesWriting for PULP, the University of Sydneys student magazine, Simon Harris threw his hat into the greyness conversation with an op-ed, Greyness. A pervasive phenomenon in contemporary Sydney buildings, which is both vernacular and pedigreed. The view that architectural conversations consistently fail to talk about the majority of architecture humans interact with daily is omnipresent our tendency to focus on capital A projects by practitioners who defined the image of Architecture through each age rather than most buildings.Februarys cover story in The Atlantic,The Anti-Social Century, shed some light on modern architectural priorities for the majority of what we build (or what gets built in the publications US homeland). For every landmark, there are thousands of off-the-shelf houses finished to meet our needs. Discussing an age of solitude and isolation, where points of connection are rarer and narrower than ever, the feature explained how were spending more time at home than any other point in recent history. So homes have become bigger, and weve filled them with more to fill the hours we would have spent out in the world.ARCA Wynwood Design Center by Esrawe Studio, Miami, FloridaAccording to a US real estate broker quoted in the piece, contemporary house design now reflects this with a demand for television-mountable walls in every room. This necessity often comes before fundamentals like the amount of light allowed into a space. Its thoroughly depressing rooms are getting darker, save for the flicker of flatscreens showing films and series, which in 2022 led Vox to ask why do so many TV shows and movies look like they were filmed in a grey wasteland?The point being, by taking our eyes off the look of the everyday, by focusing so much on monochrome modern materials, architecture has become the basic design of assets. An idea legitimized by a global housing crisis of our own making and an economic obsession with breakneck growth rather than solution-focused development. The sad fact is, the market demands building are built fast. And that means, for the most part, putting limited effort into designing a scheme because we need to move on to the next. In this environment, uniformity will always be the easiest option. Which isnt a declaration of architectures death, but an admission that urbanscapes are increasingly lacking differentiation. And were now so bored of what we see, we want Netflix and Prime at every possible point in our washed out worlds.The Extended Entry Deadline for Architizer's 2025 A+Product Awards is Friday, February 21st. Get your brand in front of the AEC industrys most renowned designers by submitting today.The post Color Optional: How Grayscale Became the Default Design Setting appeared first on Journal.

Philippine architecture is caught between the East and the West, with American, Spanish and Japanese colonial occupation rapidly transforming its built environment. Many architects were influenced by the countrys intercultural identity. Most notably, the national Artist for Architecture, Leandro Locsin, was known for his distinct style, crafting masterpieces like the Cultural Center of The Philippines.During the 1920s, architect Juan Nakpil paved the way for environmentally conscious construction techniques. He utilized bamboo as a locally sourced component for his designs instead of relying on imported materials such as stone and brick. Conversely, cities like Makati or Manila have now been transformed into bustling urban centers, filled with high-rise structures incorporating solar framing and rainwater collection systems, thus responding to the challenging tropical climate. Filipino architects have reveled in the countrys intercultural, diverse nature. By creating new assemblies between architectural typologies and practices, they are constantly progressing the countrys built environment without sacrificing its cultural heritage.With so many architecture firms, its 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 the Philippines 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 demonstrating each firms architectural excellence level. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firms 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)The foot of this article explains each of these metrics in more detail. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account the new achievements of Philippine architecture firms throughout the year.Without further ado, here are the 8 best architecture firms in the Philippines:8. hearthgroup hearthgroupWe provide residential and commercial architectural design services to families and business people.Some of hearthgroups most prominent projects include:HB Mausoleum, Bulacan, PhilippinesEco Life Seaweed Plant, Central Visayas, PhilippinesQ Square, Quezon City, PhilippinesChapel of the Nativity, Santa Maria, Philippines The following statistics helped hearthgroup achieve 8th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 4 7. Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates Jorge Yulo Architects and AssociatesSince its inception, JYAA has accumulated a few hundred projects of various types, from high-rises to luxury residences. The company survived the Asian Financial crisis by fortifying its interior design services, which currently make up a sizeable portion of its portfolio.JYAA is an efficiently sized architectural firm that offers Comprehensive Design Services from Concept/Schematic Design to Construction/Coordination/Supervision. The company is affiliated with select technical consulting firms to support the comprehensive technical services offered.Some of Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates most prominent projects include:The Hacienda Community House, Santa Rosa City, Philippines The following statistics helped Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates achieve 7th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 6. DST Design + Build DST Design + BuildWe are a new breed of individuals from different fields who are very passionate about the fields of architecture, interior design, furniture and landscaping.We strive to modernize Filipino architecture and interior design and harmonize all other design elements. Moreover, the firm remains steadfast in its advocacy to adapt principles and dynamics of building green. At DST Design Lab, we generally work on the key concept of creating quality avant-garde architectural + design and workmanship. We aim to design and build high-quality and world-renowned projects that will put Filipino architecture in the forefront.Some of DST Design + Builds most prominent projects include: (Multi Level Residential house), San Mateo, Philippines (BOUTIQUE RESORT COMPLEX), San Mateo, Philippines ( ) 2 Storey Family Villa, San Mateo, Philippines ( ) 2 Storey Villa Honeymooners, San Mateo, Philippines , San Mateo, Philippines The following statistics helped DST Design + Build achieve 6th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines: A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 15 5. DEQA Design Collaborative DEQA Design Collaborative (formerly DDC Architectural Studio)We create impactful sensory experience ecosystems that use the power of design to inspire and innovate our everyday. We are a design partner for ambitious clients and bold businesses. DEQA designs through our ideas, objects, places, buildings, and communities. We focus on research-driven, human-centric, and sustainably concentrated design.In our practice, we integrate planning, architecture, interior design, product design, and branding to maximize interdisciplinary cross-pollination. We design at all scales, from the micro to the macro, in powers of 10 to create value and innovation. Our process is highly collaborative. We work closely with our clients to understand their visions, values, and needs. DEQA Design Collaborative was formerly known as DDC Architectural Studio.Some of DEQA Design Collaboratives most prominent projects include:Rizal Eco Center, Rizal, Calabarzon, PhilippinesHyve, Taguig, PhilippinesHyphys, Pasig City, PhilippinesContemporary Museum of Art and Design Competition Entry, Taguig, PhilippinesVyne, Taguig, Philippines The following statistics helped DEQA Design Collaborative (formerly DDC Architectural Studio) achieve 5th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines: A+Awards Winner 1 Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 21 4. LLG Architects Design Studio LLG Architects Design StudioLLG Architects is a Cebu-based interdisciplinary design firm that practices architecture and interior architecture. The firm strongly believes that form coexists with function, that one should not do without the other to be able to achieve that perfect harmony of aesthetics and functionality.The firm, established over 12 years ago, is led by the dynamic husband and wife team, Architects Lendel and Leizle Go, who are also the principal architects of the fir.a Their vast experience in their respective practices propelled them to establish LLG Architects Design Studio with a clear vision to holistically approach every design challenge through story-telling, attention to detail, and client-centric service.Some of LLG Architects Design Studios most prominent projects include:The Rise at Monterrazas, Cebu City, Philippines The following statistics helped LLG Architects Design Studio achieve 4th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines: A+Awards Winner 1 Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 3. Jim Caumeron Design Jim Caumeron DesignManila-based architectural design firm with projects focusing mainly on residential architecture.Some of Jim Caumeron Designs most prominent projects include:Panorama House, Tagaytay, PhilippinesViewpoint House, Quezon City, PhilippinesTop image: Through House, San Fernando, Philippines The following statistics helped Jim Caumeron Design achieve 3rd place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 3 2. TJSO ARCHITECTS TJSO ARCHITECTSArch. T. Jordan Ong graduated B.S. in Architecture from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (Now College of Architecture) at the University of Santo Tomas. He has worked in various reputable architectural firms and has always risen among the top key employees. He has handled hundreds of residential and high-rise projects in one of his previous firms, where he worked as department head for construction. But having the drive and passion to pursue his goal, he humbly started his own practice in the summer of 2007. He has since expanded his portfolio, designing various projects ranging from high-end residential projects, townhouses, mid-rise buildings, high rise buildings, restaurants and commercial buildings. He embraced the modern minimalist style, which shows in all his works, but has added his own style in the process.Some of TJSO ARCHITECTS most prominent projects include:SCRAP HOUSE: BICYCLE FRAME HOUSEMODERN TROPICAL HOUSE, Pinamalayan, PhilippinesYu house, Quezon City, PhilippinesUno resort hotel, Puerto Princesa, PhilippinesCogeo Commercial Building The following statistics helped TJSO ARCHITECTS achieve 2nd place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 7 1. WTA Design Studio WTA Design StudioWe believe in and socially relevant practice architecture. Architecture that relates to the community promotes urbanity and develops society. We are curators and proponents of the urban realm, and we are in the business of creating places. Places that live and breathe. Places that are a critical part of peoples lives and play a vital role in defining their sense of self and community.Our studio is a place of ideas and possibilities. A place where design and architecture create new and exciting opportunities for our clients and the communities we serve.Some of WTA Design Studios most prominent projects include:The Book Stop, Manila, PhilippinesEl Museo del Prado En Filipinas, Manila, PhilippinesThe Oriental Legazpi, Legazpi City, PhilippinesThe Oriental Leyte, Tacloban City, PhilippinesNew Taipei Museum of Art, Taipei, Taiwan The following statistics helped WTA Design Studio achieve 1st place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines: A+Awards Winner 3 Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 161 Why Should I Trust Architizers Ranking?With over 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the worlds 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 worlds 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 highlightedA Guide to Project AwardsThe 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 Architizers Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a projects likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:Project completed within the last 3 yearsA well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphsArchitectural designwith a high level of both functional and aesthetic valueHigh quality, in focus photographsAt least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the buildingInclusion of architectural drawings and renderingsInclusion of construction photographsThere 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 Architizers Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.Were constantly look for the worlds 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 dont hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.The post 8 Best Architecture and Design Firms in the Philippines appeared first on Journal.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.At its peak, the global textile industry accounted for over half of all factory workers worldwide, fueling the rise of industrial architecture from Manchester to Mumbai. The sheer scale of production demanded innovations in building design like we had never seen before. Multi-story brick mills expanded the use of cast-iron frames; sawtooth roofs optimized daylight; and vast floor plate prefigured the open-plan logic of modernism. The architecture of the textile mill was very much the blueprint for the contemporary factory and even the modern office model as we understand it today.However, it isnt just what was on the outside of a textile mill that has influenced architects for decades, whats on the inside has equally inspired some incredible designs. From Gottfried Sempers theory that weaving gave us the first walls to mosaics that mimic materials. Architects have pleated panels, embroidered entryways, and stitched steel all in the tradition of textiles. For something inherently soft, textiles have had an unexpectedly firm grip on the architecture industry, and the following nine projects show the stunning results that can be achieved when architects draw their creativity from cloth.Herning Museum of Contemporary ArtBy Steven Holl Architects, Herning, DenmarkPhotos by Iwan Baan A museum designed with textiles in mind makes perfect sense for Herning. The roof, shaped like folded shirt sleeves, nods to the towns history as a hub for garment production. Even the concrete walls pick up the theme, their fabric-like texture created by pressing truck tarps into the formwork. Inside, solid gallery walls give the art its due, while curved ceilings soften the light. Outside, sculpted mounds extend the buildings geometry into the landscape, tying everything together with a careful attention to material and form.The Veil HouseBy Paperfarm Inc, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanPhotos by Daniel YaoBuilt in a dense neighborhood where privacy is scarce, The Veil House takes its name quite literally. Its brick faade is arranged like a woven textile, changing in density to control light, air, and visibility where required. Inspired by the districts historic brick kilns, the design uses floating clay bricks to create its tapestry-like faade, becoming a screen that is both structural and stunning. Behind it, a central atrium pulls as much light as possible deep into the house, carefully finding the balance between openness and enclosure.Brick Weave HouseBy 4site architects, KA, IndiaPhotos by Shamanth Patil J.Cubbon Peth historically housed Bangalores oldest handloom silk weavers colony. But post industrial revolution, handcrafted silk weaving art was lost. With the intent of preserving the idea of a traditional weaving, the facade of Brick Weave House is a woven screen of bricks, threaded onto steel rods and rotated at precise angles to balance light, ventilation, and privacy. By day, the screen scatters shifting patterns of light through the interiors. By night, the house glows, casting its intricate weave pattern back onto the street.Ferrum 1By TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten, Saint Petersburg, RussiaPhotos by Ilya IvanovThe Corten steel faade of Ferrum 1 is designed as a woven grid, with horizontal and vertical bands appearing to thread through one another, creating the illusion of warp and weft. The material choice is no accident. The deep rust-red patina is a reference to the sites industrial past, once home to the Rossiya factory, while the name itself (Latin for iron) reinforces its connection to the citys manufacturing heritage. At the corners, structural glazing cuts through the steel, juxtaposing the weight with moments of lightness and transparency. Inside, the theme shifts. Gold-toned finishes replace the raw exterior, creating a deliberate tension between industrial and refined: Rust on the outside, gold on the inside.Paul Smith, MayfairBy 6a architects, London, United KingdomPaul Smith built his reputation on sharp tailoring and attention to detail. His Mayfair store does the same, only in cast iron. Borrowing inspiration from woven hats and finely drawn gold ingots alongside the soft fall of cloth, the intricate facade uses interlocking circles to create a surface that appears woven. The pattern, abstracted from Regency architecture, catches the light at different angles, shifting between depth and opacity. Up close, the texture of the casting process is visible, giving in the imperfections it needs. Paul Smiths own drawings are embedded in the metal too, adding a playful touch.VICUTU Concept Flagship StoreBy AntiStatics Architecture, Beijing, ChinaPhotos by UKStudioVICUTU is one of Chinas leading menswear brands, specializing in precision tailoring and technical fabrics. Its flagship store brings that same idea to its architecture. The faade is made from bent aluminum sheets, interlocked to form a patterned outer skin. Inside, a woven diagrid motif runs through floors, pedestals and partitions to create a unified design language. Display counters are moulded to the ground, while curving walls direct movement through the space. Spanning two floors and housing multiple brand lines, the store translates the technical craftsmanship of tailoring into the built environment.Jinke Hanwang Tingquan Xiaozhen lifestyle and arts loungeBy Le Brand Strategy, Xuzhou, ChinaPhotos by Sun XiangyuAt Jinke Hanwang Tingquan lounge, the designers drew directly from the regions Han dynasty heritage, particularly its celebrated woven textiles fabrics famously described as thin as cicada wings. Interior partitions are designed to replicate this tradition, formed from transparent mesh and layered screens, they divide spaces, tea rooms and quiet areas without fully separating them. The suspended wooden ceiling also references the iconic curved rooftops of Han palaces, giving the space a sense of historical depth. Throughout, saw-marked timber and raw steel accents keep the space restrained and contemporary, offering a balance between ancient craftsmanship and modern design.Ceramic HouseBy Studio RAP, Amsterdam, NetherlandsPhotos by Riccardo De VecchiStudio RAP used its own custom-built 3D-printing technology to create the faade of Amsterdams Ceramic House. Inspired by knitted textiles, the ceramic tiles are algorithmically designed and individually printed. Each is entirely unique. At street level, large tiles glazed by Royal Tichelaar in pearl-white with hints of yellow provide illuminating texture up close, while higher up, bricks in varying shades of red blend comfortably with the original masonry. The faade maintains the familiar structure and proportions of P.C. Hooftstraat, yet brings a truly unique aesthetic to one of Amsterdams historic streets.CASA MYMBy Numero 26 Studio, Murcia, SpainPhotos by David FrutosCASA MYM borrows directly from Murcias textile tradition. The ceramic tiles that cover the faade replicate patterns found on local farmers embroidered workwear. This connection grounds the building naturally to its setting. Divided into three separate volumes, the house angles towards views of the surrounding orchards and mountains. While, inside, simple materials like unfinished clay walls, galvanized metal doors and pine joinery keep the design practical and straightforward.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Threading the Line Between Fabric and Form: Architecture Inspired by Textiles appeared first on Journal.

For more ways to supercharge your workflow, check out more articles in ourTech for Architects series, which includes our recommendations of Top Laptops for Architects and Designers.There are many reasons to love Rome: the food, the art, the history. For architects, it is home to some of the most inspirational buildings in the world: the Colosseum, Vittoriano, and St. Peters Basilica, to name but a few. However, there is another lesser-known visual spectacle in Rome that has architects around the world talking: massive flocks of starlings. For centuries, these tiny birds have been drawn to Romes deeply textured faades and intricate stonework, creating nesting spots in the many cracks and crevices of its ancient buildings. Romes dense mix of historic structures, sheltered courtyards, and warm microclimate have allowed these birds to thrive for generations, delighting locals and tourists alike with their stunning murmurations for many winters.However, the urban landscape is changing dramatically. Restoration projects and modern construction throughout the city are increasingly favoring smooth materials like polished concrete, steel and glass, none of which offer sheltered spots for nesting. Renovations to historic sites, such as the cleaning and sealing of travertine stone, have further reduced nesting spaces. The city continues to host significant murmurs of starlings in its skies, but their ability to roost and breed within the built environment is diminishing, and its not just Rome thats the problem.The Tip of the Iceberg: Bird-Safe GlassThe Hub at Prairie Shores by Gensler, Chicago, Illinois | Photo by Kendall McCaugherty Hall + Merrick PhotographersStarlings arent the only species losing ground. Urban expansion frequently disrupts airborne wildlife. Take New York City. Each year, roughly 230,000 birds collide with reflective skyscraper windows, mistaking mirrored glass for open sky. These fatalities present one of the largest killers of birds in the world. In Sydney, the pressures of urbanization on bats, particularly the grey-headed flying fox, are coming to light. As natural forests have been cleared for housing developments and commercial centers, these bats, key pollinators for native eucalyptus trees, have been forced into smaller roosting sites within city parks and green spaces. Unlike many birds, which can nest in artificial structures, flying foxes require large, interconnected tree canopies to live happy lives.In both instances, architects and designers are being brought in to consult on finding solutions. Bird-safe glass, for example, that features ultraviolet coatings and subtle etchings, which break up reflections in ways that birds can detect but remain nearly invisible to the human eye, is becoming more and more popular with many champions of the technology campaigning to make it essential in buildings of heights above 75 feet (23 meters), or the primary flight zone for many bird species. In New York, regulations now require bird-safe glass for all new construction up to 85 feet (26 meters) to reduce the number of collisions.Vertical Forests and Green Corridors100 VandambyCOOKFOX Architects, New York City, New YorkSydneys architects and urban planners are introducing vertical forests and green corridors, effectively extending the citys canopy through high-rise structures covered in vegetation. It is an initiative that not only supports displaced wildlife like the grey-headed flying fox but also as a way of mitigating urban heat, controlling air pollution, and enhancing stormwater management.Undoubtedly, green roofs and living walls contribute to biodiversity, though much of their effectiveness depends on plant selection and placement. Monarch butterflies in North America, for example, rely on milkweed and other native plants as larval host species, but often green developments will choose aesthetics over function, planting non-native species. For pollinators, these non-native plants actually offer little value and do nothing to help increase biodiversity numbers. Studies by Cornell University have shown that butterfly populations thrive in cities that integrate native vegetation into rooftop gardens and green infrastructure projects. Their research indicates that urban spaces with native plantings can increase pollinator activity by up to 50% compared to ornamental plantings. The importance of ecology-driven design choices by architects and designers cannot be overstated.From Lighting to Swift Bricks100 Vandam by COOKFOX Architects, New York City, New YorkLighting is another crucial, often-overlooked factor that affects urban wildlife. Artificial light pollution disrupts the circadian rhythms of nocturnal species and confuses migratory birds that navigate using celestial cues. Studies in Toronto, where thousands of birds die each year due to disorientation caused by excessive lighting, have led to the implementation of bird-friendly lighting guidelines. These measures include motion-activated lighting, downward-facing fixtures, and warmer-colored LED bulbs, all of which help reduce avian casualties without reducing functionality.One of the simplest and most effective interventions for avian conservation in cities is using swift bricks. These are specially designed nesting boxes that are built into the masonry of modern buildings, mimicking the deep crevices found in older stonework. Unlike traditional birdhouses, swift bricks are designed to be unobtrusive, blending into contemporary structures as part of the overall design. They have been successfully incorporated into new residential developments across the UK, where local planning regulations encourage their inclusion in new build properties after the species was added to the red list of endangered birds in 2021, when its population fell by 58% from 1995-2018. Typically placed at least five meters above ground level, swift bricks provide safe nesting sites without too much crossover between the nesting birds and the homeowners.Learning From the PastHAUT Amsterdam by Team V Architecture, Amsterdam, Netherlands.History often offers essential lessons for todays architects. Romes textured faades, built for their beauty and grandeur, once unintentionally housed a diverse array of bird populations. From those earliest architectural wonders, it has been clear that material choices shape urban ecology for better or worse. Sadly, many of todays modern architects have forgotten, and our preference for glossy, seamless buildings has led to substantial ecological losses in cities worldwide. Yet, there is always time to turn things around, and by choosing to incorporate varied surface textures, modular nesting elements, and considered lighting solutions, architects can design a world where humans can live harmoniously with our avian neighbors. Romes starlings are a reminder that urban wildlife is deeply linked to the built environment. Their decline makes it clear that how we design buildings must evolve to prioritize animal-safe materials, habitat-conscious design, and an awareness of ecological impact. In doing so, we can actively reverse the increase in biodiversity loss across the world, and the Starlings can continue to delight Romes visitors for generations to come.For more ways to supercharge your workflow, check out more articles in ourTech for Architects series, which includes our recommendations of Top Laptops for Architects and Designers.Top image: The Muse & CasaNova by Barcode Architects, Rotterdam, Netherlands.The post Concrete Jungles, Empty Skies: How Smarter Design Can Bring Wildlife Back to Cities appeared first on Journal.

The countdown to 13th Annual A+Awards winners' announcement has begun! Stay updated by subscribing to Architizer's Awards Newsletter.When we appreciate architecture, it often comes from a place of feeling. Just like with art, the tilt of the head or a momentary squint reveals our attempt to understand the emotions woven into a space by the designer. Color and emotion in architecture are deeply connected, shaping how we experience and interact with our surroundings from vibrant public areas to more intimate spaces. Through careful consideration of color, architects shape the aesthetics of a space, influencing not just its mood and functionality but also the deeper connections people form within it.These seven projects use bright hues to cultivate connection, spark creativity, and enhance the experience of their occupants across different scales. Each demonstrates how color can serve as more than just decoration it can shape identity, inspire activity and transform spaces into emotionally engaging environments.Die Macherei MnchenBy HWKN Architecture, Munich, Germany The faades dynamic color gradient transitions from an energetic red through a creative orange to a cheerful yellow. More than just an aesthetic feature, this gradient plays a critical role in reshaping the sites industrial identity. This bold choice of colors now serves as an emotional light bulb to an area that was once barren and utilitarian. It now radiates warmth and has transformed into a vibrant, welcoming neighborhood filled with energy and emotion.NeighboursBy ZAV Architects with Next Office, Fardis, IranWorking alongside shapes and massing, the designers used color to break the monotony of post-disaster construction in Fardis. A vibrant palette of coral reds, warm ochres and deep teals creates a dynamic landscape, giving each cellular-shaped unit its own identity. This intentional use of color fosters individuality and strengthens the sense of ownership within the community. It also introduces warmth and optimism, counteracting the impersonal feel that mass-produced housing developments often create. In a space where rebuilding is more than just physical restoration, color becomes a tool for emotional recovery and renewal.Publicis Groupe, Le TrucBy Architecture Plus Information (A+I), New York A+I infused the spaces with vibrant hues and shades to ignite creativity across the organization, making them the heart of Publicis creative culture. Colors like pink, green, yellow, orange and blue mark key stages in the organizations creative process; each color choice serves a functional and psychological purpose. For example, the pink meeting room fosters collaboration by creating a sense of openness and encouraging dialogue. The green break room promotes relaxation, allowing employees to recharge between tasks. Meanwhile, the orange hallway injects energy and dynamism into circulation spaces, ensuring that movement through the office feels inspiring rather than routine.Arts District ProjectBy Perkins & Will, Los Angeles The buildings faade features aluminum louvers wrapping around its concrete frame. Painted in bright colors, they enhance energy efficiency as solar filters while doubling as large-scale murals. The color palette echoes the sites industrial past, drawing from the textures of brick, concrete, and steel, as well as the bold murals and wheat-paste posters that characterize the districts streetscape.This fusion of color and function makes the facade more than just an aesthetic statement it becomes a storytelling element, connecting the building to its urban fabric. By reflecting the neighborhoods artistic character, the project honors the Arts Districts legacy while promoting sustainability and energy efficiency.Charles Aznavour conservatoire of music, theatre and danceBy Dominique Coulon & Associs, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France The designers infused the academys faade with dynamic dichroic films that create colors whose hues depend on where a person stands and the suns movement. This kaleidoscopic effect ties the interiors together, reinforcing the academys artistic identity. Inside, bold colors heighten the dramavivid blacks and striking reds bathe some rooms, sparking creativity, energizing performers and immersing them in an atmosphere of expression.Beyond aesthetics, this use of color and light influences how performers and students experience the space. The changing hues create a sense of movement, reflecting the rhythm and emotion of the performing arts. Just as music and theater rely on shifts in tone and intensity, the conservatoires colors evolve throughout the day, reinforcing the dynamism of artistic expression.Haus 2+By Office ParkScheerbarth, Berlin, Germany The bold red faade of Haus 2+ serves as a striking entrance to Holzmarkt 25, injecting life just like blood into the cultural quarter. As an entry point, its evolving tone throughout the day reinforces the buildings progressive nature, making a bold statement amidst its eclectic surroundings. The combination of red and larch wood adds contrast and mirrors the creative energy of the diverse tenants who also bring the space to life.Wonderland Elementary School Kindergarten Classroom, Play Areas, and Learning GardenBy John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK), Los Angeles, California Designed for children, the kindergarten integrates color and form to spark wonder and discovery. The colorful louvers that trace the playful swoops of the facade create a sense of movement and energy, while polycarbonate fins above a large roof opening cast multi-colored hues of light into the space.Inside, the thoughtful application of color extends into the classrooms, where the designers infused different pops of color to enhance the environment and foster curiosity. Each shade contributes to a unique atmosphere softer hues create a calming effect for focused activities, while bolder tones inspire creativity and play.The countdown to 13th Annual A+Awards winners' announcement has begun! Stay updated by subscribing to Architizer's Awards Newsletter.The post Pigment of Imagination: 7 Bold Designs That Color Outside the Lines appeared first on Journal.