Architizer is thrilled to welcome Lyndon Neri, Hon. FAIA, co-founder of 2023 Firm of the Year Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, to the jury for the 2025 Vision Awards. As one of the most respected voices in contemporary architecture and design, Neri brings a deeply interdisciplinary perspective that aligns powerfully with the program’s celebration of conceptual rigor and visual innovation. To have your work seen by Neri and secure a place in the running for global publication this year, Architizer cordially invites you to submit your best architectural concepts, images and ideas to this year’s Vision Awards: Share My Vision Based in Shanghai and working globally, Architizer’s 2023 Firm of the Year Neri&Hu is known for its boundary-defying approach to design — where architecture, interiors and product design are all treated as part of a singular, research-driven narrative. With a stunning portfolio of richly layered cultural projects, Neri&Hu’s work expresses a commitment to contextual storytelling and material exploration at every scale. The firm’s projects are recognized not just for their aesthetic sensitivity, but for the conceptual clarity that underpins each spatial gesture. Educated at the University of California, Berkeley and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Neri is equally celebrated as an educator and theorist. In recent years, he has held prominent teaching positions at Harvard, Yale, Berkeley and Princeton, where he was appointed as Visiting Faculty in 2024. His editorial and written contributions — including Persistence of Vision: Shanghai Architects in Dialogue and Neri&Hu’s monograph Thresholds: Space, Time and Practice — have helped frame an emergent dialogue around contemporary Asian architecture and its role in global discourse. Neri’s presence on the 2025 Vision Awards Jury is particularly exciting given the program’s expansive exploration of architectural ideation across every medium. Categories for architectural drawings, models, renderings and conceptual designs all speak directly to Neri’s longstanding interest in the process and craft of architecture, from concept to construction. His insights will undoubtedly help shape a new generation of design thinking through this year’s program. Sketch for Aranya Art Center by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, Qinhuangdao, China. Neri joins a stellar judging panel that includes fellow architectural luminaries such as Daniel Libeskind, Steven Holl, Winka Dubbeldam and Suchi Reddy — all united in the search for the most inspiring architectural ideas and visual work from around the world. Entries for the 2025 Vision Awards are open, with a Main Entry Deadline of June 6th, 2025. Winners will be featured in Architizer’s Visionary 100, a definitive guide to the architecture industry’s most innovative creators, and see their work published on Architizer’s new book How to Visualize Architecture. Think you belong among them? Take part in the Vision Awards and show the world your boldest architectural visions! Click the button below to get started: Enter the Vision Awards Featured image: The Walled – Tsingpu Yangzhou Retreat by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, Yangzhou, China The post Master of Architectural Research Lyndon Neri Joins the 2025 Vision Awards Jury 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.   Is an architecture firm designing its own studio the equivalent of an artist painting a self-portrait? (Should we coin the term “auto-architecture?”) Perhaps this isn’t a perfect analogy, but it certainly contains parallels that are productive to parse… Studio spaces are distinct from offices in that they not only shape daily rituals and structure relationships between colleagues but also act as an expression of the values at the core of the firm’s design philosophies. Freed from the usual constraints of client briefs, for many firms, designing their own workspace offers a unique opportunity for experimentation and self-expression. The studios featured in this collection span diverse geographies and contexts — from a vaulted school library repurposed as an “anti-office,” to a carbon-neutral warehouse conversion in Sydney, to a minimalist tiled atelier in Casablanca. Despite their differences, each workspace shares a commitment to thoughtful design that blurs the line between functions and offers a vision for cultivating creativity. More than places of production, these studios are active expressions of architectural identity; spaces that support not only what architects make, but how they make it. They also challenge outdated typologies and embrace the hybrid realities of contemporary practice. Skylab HQ By Skylab, Portland, Oregon After spending years in a historic structure in downtown Portland, the Skylab team decided the time had come to create a space that reflected the dynamic nature of their practice. They asked themselves: “How can our studio evolve from a dedicated workspace to a playground for the art and design community? Where can we find a space to integrate gardens, an event venue, and a fabrication shop, as well as our studio?” Leaving the downtown core, they opted to transform a pair of WWII-era prefabricated steel warehouses into a hybrid studio, fabrication lab and cultural venue supporting both architectural production and artistic exchange. Strategic insertions — like a 60-foot-long (18-meter) ridge skylight, 10-foot (3-meter) operable window walls and CLT-framed meeting rooms — maximize daylight and material contrast, balancing industrial grit with biophilic warmth. The adaptive reuse reflects the firm’s ethos of experimentation, extending their design process into the very architecture that houses it. Alexander House By Alexander &CO., Sydney, Australia Jury Winner, Architecture +Workspace, 10th Annual A+Awards Alexander House functions as both studio and experimental prototype, integrating low-carbon construction with hybrid live/work spatial typologies tailored to an evolving architectural practice. While functioning as an architectural residential showcase, the team also works from this home, and their clients meet with them there; the project challenges preconceptions of home, land, family and work. From a voluminous material library in the basement to a concrete mezzanine bench designed for quiet focus, the layout supports varied modes of design work while challenging conventional boundaries between domestic and professional space. Crafted in collaboration with local makers, the building also pioneers sustainability through reclaimed timber linings, carbon-neutral bricks, and a solar system supplying up to 80% of daily energy demand. say architects Community Office By say architects, Hangzhou, China Say Architects’ office reimagines workplace architecture as a life-oriented, materially expressive environment, where exposed I-beams structure both the building and the studio’s daily rhythms. Cantilevered volumes, rope-grown greenery, and integrated misting systems animate the exterior, while steel-framed shelving and model rooms of rich timber textures create a tactile, inspiration-driven interior. Prioritizing adaptability and sensory comfort, the space dissolves traditional partitions in favor of spatial arrangements that align with design habits, offering a studio that is both tool and manifesto. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Philadelphia Studio By Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Bohlin Cywinski Jackson’s Philadelphia studio transforms a historic social club (founded in 1923) into a contemporary workspace through adaptive reuse, prioritizing flexibility, daylight and material economy. The goal was to create a highly flexible work environment that would allow designers to move quickly between individual work, impromptu discussions and group meetings throughout the day. Restored terrazzo floors and ornamental detailing anchor a modern layout featuring hoteling desks, collaborative mezzanine zones and panoramic views of the city center.  The design supports agile workflows and hybrid collaboration while integrating repurposed custom furnishings to extend the life cycle of past projects. ADND OFFICE By Atelier Design N Domain, Mumbai, India ADND’s new Bombay headquarters is a richly layered adaptive reuse of a century-old industrial warehouse, reimagined as an expressive design laboratory charged with material experimentation and symbolic nuance. The studio’s soaring central bay reaches 26 feet (8 meters) in height, punctuated by 7-foot (2-meter) pivoting porthole windows that flood the workspace with southern light, evoking a cathedral-like ambiance. Throughout, bespoke interventions — from terrazzo-cast floors and mirrored reception desks to hand-sketched upholstery and looped oak chairs — translate the founders’ personal design dialects into architectural form, creating a space where industrial memory and contemporary authorship converge. Studio Cays X Studio BO By Studio CAYS, Casablanca, Morocco In this Casablanca-based studio, minimalist rigor meets material clarity through tiled walls and seamless epoxy flooring, crafting a luminous, low-maintenance workspace. At its core, a central bench anchors the open-plan layout, fostering daily collaboration and reinforcing the studio’s emphasis on shared ideation within a purified architectural envelope. Smart Design Studio By smart design studio, Alexandria, Australia Jury Winner, Office Interiors (<25,000 sq ft); Jury Winner, Office Building Low Rise, 10th Annual A+Awards Smart Design Studio’s headquarters fuses industrial heritage with cutting-edge sustainability, transforming a conserved warehouse into a carbon-neutral workspace powered by on-site energy and water collection systems. The studio’s open-plan interior is crowned by a mezzanine framed by original steel trusses, while a striking vaulted residence above features self-supporting brick catenary arches — an elegant synthesis of structural economy and sculptural ambition. Designed to reflect the material restraint and innovation of early industrial architecture, the building is a working manifesto for the studio’s interdisciplinary ethos. Architect’s Office at Kim Yam Road By Park + Associates, Singapore Popular Choice Winner, Office Interiors, 10th Annual A+Awards Photos by Edward Hendricks Occupying a former library hall atop a repurposed 1960s school, this studio embraces the latent grandeur of its barrel-vaulted, column-free volume to craft a boundary-less, anti-office environment. Full-height louvered windows invite daylight and breeze through the arching space, while the design resists conventional programming in favor of layered, informal settings that foster creativity and fluid collaboration. Rather than overwrite its past, the intervention amplifies the building’s inherent spatial expression; through adaptive reuse, the architects position atmosphere as architecture. Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters.   The post Self-Portrait in Plan: 8 Architecture Studios Designed By Their Owners appeared first on Journal.

It’s time to share your vision with the world: Applications are now open to get your work featured in Architizer’s new print publication, How to Visualize Architecture! This stunning new book will highlight how architects, designers and creative thinkers shape culture, influence clients and envision what architecture can be through powerful concepts, ideas and imagery. The only way to apply for your work to be showcased in this landmark publication is to enter your work in the 2025 Vision Awards before the Main Entry Deadline on June 6th, 2025. Apply for Publication Every Vision Awards Winner will have their work published in this instructional guide, which will lift the curtain on creative processes in architecture, from early sketches and conceptual drawings, to renderings and physical models, to powerful photographs of finished projects. Don’t miss your chance to secure a spot in How to Visualize Architecture and a host of other prizes for your work! Let Your Work Lead the Conversation How to Visualize Architecture will serve as a global reference for clients, collaborators and the next generation of architects. Thematic chapters will explore key concepts that are critical to communication of architectural ideas, including: Narrative: How to craft compelling visual stories that communicate architectural vision, from concept to construction. Environment: How to root projects within their landscape, city or climate, building a powerful sense of place. Atmosphere: How to evoke emotion and spark intrigue in architecture through a variety of creative techniques. Identity: How to imbue architecture with the cultural and social meaning within a distinct, localized context. Tectonics: How to celebrate structure, materiality and craft, translating abstract ideas into physical manifestations. With so much design content living online, being published in a high-quality print anthology gives your work a lasting, tangible presence. This publication will be distributed to a global network of design professionals, making it a timeless showcase of the visionaries defining architecture today. Start My Entry Create a Lasting Legacy for Your Vision Your work is already inspiring. Winning a Vision Award and getting published in How to Visualize Architecture promises to transform it into an educational precedent for decades to come. For every emerging architect, client, student and creative professional that picks up a copy, your work will be presented as an exemplar for architectural ideation and representation — today and tomorrow. To get yourself in the running for inclusion, start your entry for this year’s Vision Awards today, and make 2025 the year your work is celebrated — both online and in print. Apply for Publication To find out more about the Vision Awards, check out our handy About pages, including FAQs, fees and deadlines, and eligibility and guidelines. If you have any questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at visionawards@architizer.com. The post Apply for Publication in Architizer’s New Book “How to Visualize Architecture”! appeared first on Journal.

​​In a quiet residential pocket of Southwest Portland, a mid-century ranch house has been transformed into a family home that embraces its landscape, celebrates material craft, and amplifies the Pacific Northwest’s nuanced natural light. Led by Jeff and Jenny Guggenheim of Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio, the project reimagines a dated layout with a new architectural clarity — one defined by intimate volumes, warm materials, and integrated moments of delight. “This project began with the desire to create a more functional kitchen and a larger living room that did a better job embracing the backyard,” said Jeff Guggenheim. From that foundational brief, the design grew into a full reorganization of the home, centered on spatial flow, daylight, and a connection to nature. A House That Unfolds The original home, while structurally sound, lacked visual and spatial cohesion. The design team addressed this by establishing a new living room addition as the project’s anchor. “We used the living room as the anchor point,” Guggenheim explained, “and brought similar materials throughout the house to create a consistent aesthetic.” This strategy informed every subsequent design move, from the cabinetry details to the new openings created through Marvin doors and windows. “We didn’t want the house to feel like one part was remodeled and the other wasn’t,” Guggenheim said. “We wanted it to feel like it was all built at the same time.” Cohesion was therefore prioritized in the spatial layout, with a focus on subtle transitions between rooms. “When we’re designing a home, we think about flow and cohesiveness — how you might pass through different spaces and ensuring that those spaces all relate to each other,” he said. “There are threads of similarity that hold it together.” The Joy of Whimsical Architecture Though grounded in modernism, the house also reflects the spirit of the young family that lives there. “Early on in our design process, our client requested spaces that were modern yet warm, and also contained an element of whimsy,” Guggenheim explained. “They have two younger kids and this is a family home.” Whimsy is introduced through unexpected spatial gestures and opportunities for interaction, such as the inclusion of the Marvin Skycove, an innovative glass alcove that extends beyond the envelope of the home. “It’s a window that you can occupy,” Guggenheim said. “You can imagine curling up and reading a book in it, or just looking out at the clouds and daydreaming.” The Skycove supports what the client described as “moments of delight” — an idea that became a conceptual touchstone throughout the design process. “That was the first design meeting I’ve ever been in where we had a client request moments of delight,” he recalled. “How do you create that? Sometimes it’s as simple as a place to sit and read or a dining space that opens to the outdoors.” Windows That Frame Experience Daylight and ventilation played a pivotal role in shaping the home’s interior experience. The kitchen features a Marvin Awaken Skylight positioned directly above the island and sink. The Awaken Skylight is designed to enhance both natural and artificial light in the home, pairing venting capabilities with built-in, tunable lighting that adjusts throughout the day to mirror the changing color temperature of daylight. “We recognized right away that natural light was going to be very important,” Guggenheim said. “We put the skylight front and center, as it gets great morning daylight. When you wake up, you want to make your coffee and be greeted by the rising sun.” In other areas of the home, Marvin’s range of products allowed for functional variation while maintaining a unified aesthetic. “One thing that our office really appreciates about the Marvin product lines is that they all work so well together,” he noted. “We can pick and choose depending on the use of that window, and people can move through the space and feel like they belong to the same design language.” For Guggenheim, windows and doors are more than just architectural components—they are instruments for memory and belonging. “These are the apertures to time and experience,” he said. “You see the sun rise through them and the sunset through them. You see the moon, the stars. Those are the touchpoints that bring delight into a space.” Rooted in the Pacific Northwest While the home’s interiors were comprehensively reimagined, its relationship to the street and neighborhood was handled with care. “We didn’t really make any large changes to the street-facing side,” Guggenheim explained. “The house feels very appropriate to the neighborhood. It doesn’t stick out. That was really important to us.” The home’s exterior scale and material palette allow it to blend naturally into its surroundings while hinting at something more refined within. “I was driving away from here recently and I thought, it’s really nice that the house can be this high level of design but still respectful to its neighbors,” he added. Natural materials, from white oak cabinetry to cast concrete fireplaces, reinforce the project’s grounding in place. “Everything was meticulously crafted,” said Guggenheim. “Everyone who came to the site cared deeply about what they were creating — and that included the window systems.” The ability to match that craftsmanship through Marvin was essential. “It would have been inappropriate to spec a window that didn’t rise to the same level,” he said. “We wanted doors and windows that could complement our cabinetry and its details and also meet the expectations we had for all the other trades on our site.” For Guggenheim, that trust in product is paramount. “Our clients have a lot of trust in us and what we do for them,” he concluded. “And with this in mind, I like to specify Marvin products because I trust that they’re going to be quality, function well, and be well supported through their lifetime.” For architects seeking to create these kinds of connections for their clients, visit Marvin.com. Project photography by 22 Waves. The post Portland Renewal: A Modern Family Home Defined by Light, Craft and Connection 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, June 6th marks the end of the Main Entry period — click here to submit your work. The word “ideal” carries a subtle yet powerful trap, particularly in the context of city-making. Detached from the practicalities of construction, many architects throughout history have assumed a godlike role, crafting visionary urban proposals prioritizing perfection over feasibility. These so-called architectural utopias were often driven by the desire to radically improve how societies function, adopting the belief that reshaping physical environments could lead to social transformation. Yet, the allure of the ideal can be double-edged, often leading to designs that, albeit “perfect,” have repeatedly resulted in unintended consequences such as social exclusion, control, and isolation rather than the promised harmony. During the 20th century, a big surge of visionary utopias emerged through the practice of architecture. Of course, there were many earlier “iterations” of utopian visions, from drawings of Amaurot (Thomas More’s utopian capital) to the Cenotaph for Sir Isaac Newton by Étienne-Louis Boullée; still, the 20th century marked an astounding era of futuristic designs and technological aspirations. Perhaps the desire to explore more radical built environments and apply the modernism style to an urban scale was the driving force behind this endeavor. And yet, now nearly at the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, architectural utopianism has declined. Have architects abandoned grand ideals in favor of more practical, incremental approaches? Have they stopped dreaming big, or have these utopian models simply failed to live up to their promises? To explore the following questions, let’s first delve into some of the most famous, radical, and—according to some—failed architectural utopian projects. Brasilia Anonymous Unknown author, Brasilia aerea torredetv1304 4713, CC BY 3.0 Brasilia was designed by urbanist Lucio Costa and is filled with some of the most beautiful, sculptural and symbolic buildings by Oscar Niemeyer. Costa’s ambition was to create a progressive city that would offer a good quality of life to its residents. Following principles of orderly, rational, and systematic design, the city was conceived in four scales: the Monumental, meaning the long axes; the Gregarious, meaning the civic architecture; the Quotidian, for the residential areas; and the Bucolic, for the open space. In theory, the proposal signified an era of profound transformation. However, numerous problems arose when construction began: work camps (in the form of slumps) cropped around the city, and a massive segregation between upper and lower class occurred. Additionally, the design failed to account for pedestrian accessibility (relying heavily on cars) or consider the effects of land and urban economics. Albeit beautiful and impressive, transportation issues, urban sprawl and inequality are very real challenges modern-day Brasilia has to address, hence the label of “a cautionary tale for urban dreamers.” Radiant City Chandigarh, The theatre sector 17 by Richard Weil , via Flickr  Perhaps the most radical suggestion for the “implementation” of Radiant City was Le Corbusier’s idea to demolish historic parts of Paris. He envisioned a city organized in perfect symmetry, influenced by the parts of the human body and how they operate together efficiently. Famously, he viewed the city as a living organism — a machine for effective inhabitation. Vertical concrete towers arranged in a symmetrical grid, combined with large open spaces fit for public transportation, would offer social housing and accessibility. A business district would connect to the residential and commercial zones at the center via underground passages. Even though Radiant City was never implemented, it inspired the urban plan for Chandigarh in India, drawn by Le Corbusier in the 1950s. Still, despite its ambitious design, the city (according to some critics) “lacked Indianness.” At the same time, it very quickly outgrew its capacity, with the prominent green strip that surrounded it becoming occupied by scruffy homes and shops. Broadacre City Kjell Olsen, Wright Sketches for Broadacre City, CC BY-SA 2.0 Broadacre City was essentially Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of an architectural and urban democratic city. Placing the individual at the center of design, the proposal ensured each inhabitant a home, a farm and a place of employment. In parallel, utilities of everyday necessity such as power, transportation, and mediums of exchange were publicly owned. Although the city was much more chaotic than the previous two examples, it was based on a genuinely democratic society where the government was strictly impersonal. Following such a free-thinking and complex design, Broadacre City was never realized. However, it fueled many of Wright’s architectural community projects and provided a framework for American city planning processes. Ideal Cities, Flawed Realities Bibliothèque Mazarine, Thomas More Utopia 1516 VTOPIAE INSVLAE FIGVRA (Bibliothèque Mazarine) Skull Version, CC BY-SA 4.0 Today, the spirit of architectural utopianism seems to linger more as a cautionary tale than a guiding light. In an era increasingly defined by economic constraints, climate urgency, and social complexity, the focus has shifted toward feasibility, resilience, and incremental change. The profession often celebrates what can be built rather than what dares to imagine, leaving many visionary, unbuilt projects overlooked or dismissed as impractical. Consequently, holistic and speculative thinking has taken a backseat to metrics, deliverables, and regulatory compliance. While this pragmatism addresses real-world constraints, it raises a pressing question: have we lost something vital by retreating from the imaginative realm? The challenge for today’s architects is not simply to dream or to build, but to reclaim the space in between, where visionary thinking can coexist with grounded execution. 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, June 6th marks the end of the Main Entry period — click here to submit your work. Featured image: Utopia by Peter Wheatcroft / 10 Design, 2023 Vision Awards, Special Mention The post The Death of 20th Century Idealism: Are Today’s Architects Too Pragmatic? appeared first on Journal.

These annual rankings were last updated on May 30, 2025. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking. Ireland’s architecture is a rich tapestry of vernacular craft, foreign architecture, and, most importantly, good ol’ grit. Like any nation, Ireland’s complex history is easily contextualized through its urban makeup. Dublin and Cork, for example contain a wealth of Georgian and Victorian structures that directly speak to the republic’s past ties to Britain through churches, libraries and courthouses. In the 20th century, Irish designers turned to modernism and other international trends, this time on their own terms. Art Deco, Brutalism and sleek Modern structures began to appear around the country, generating an architectural expression to mirror the republic’s newfound independence. Ireland’s traditional architecture — specifically the thatched cottage — was again made popular by tourists seeking a quintessential ‘Irish experience.’ Today’s designers continuously engage with discourse surrounding nationalism. What is the quintessential ‘Irish experience’, and how does it inform today’s architecture? With a built environment rooted in pluralism, Irish architects have an incredible opportunity to recreate and rectify an architectural language that best represents today’s Irish folk. 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 Ireland 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 Ireland architecture firms throughout the year. Without further ado, here are the 30 best architecture firms in Ireland: 30. Hussey Architects © Hussey Architects Hussey Architects was established in 2009 in Dublin. The practice has grown from working on small domestic projects then to large healthcare, housing and hospitality projects now. We are a small practice with experience completing large projects. Over the past decade we have completed seven Primary Care Centres, two hotels, a nursing home, ten masterplans and over one hundred houses. Our focus is on designing simple economical buildings that respect their context. Our style has evolved from our more angular early buildings and projects to a more classical simple architectural language in traditional materials. Some of Hussey Architects’ most prominent projects include: National Leprechaun Museum Cafe The Hendrick, Dublin, Ireland Navan Road Primary Care Centre, Dublin, Ireland Celbridge Primary Care Centre, Celbridge, Ireland Balbriggan Primary Care Centre, Balbriggan, Ireland The following statistics helped Hussey Architects achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Total Projects 14 29. Donaghy & Dimond Architects © Donaghy & Dimond Architects Based in Dublin, Donaghy + Dimond Architects was established in 2001 by Marcus Donaghy and Will Dimond, two architects with extensive experience of working on urban and rural design projects in Ireland and abroad. The practice has developed a reputation for high-quality, innovative and sustainable design, and has been selected for numerous national and international awards for completed projects. Their work has been published and exhibited in Ireland, Europe and the USA. Some of Donaghy & Dimond Architects’ most prominent projects include: Laneway Wall Garden House, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped Donaghy & Dimond Architects achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 28. ABK Architects © ABK Architects Established in 1961, ABK Architects is a design-led practice with an international reputation for the delivery of buildings of the highest quality. It is renowned for its work in many fields including master-planning, education, healthcare, housing and the arts. The practice offers skills in architecture and related fields such as urban design and planning, interior and furniture design and is one of the leading exponents of sustainability in the field of architecture. Implicit in the work of ABK is a search for quality, which concerns the character and atmosphere of spaces and a sense of place. Each building proposal is a unique response, integrating the general and the particular into a coherent whole. Some of ABK Architects’ most prominent projects include: Roscommon Civic Offices, Roscommon, Ireland The following statistics helped ABK Architects achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 27. de Siún Scullion Architects © de Siún Scullion Architects We are a new Dublin-based Architecture practice offering a broad range of experience and specialist expertise in high quality, innovative and sustainable design to both public and private sector clients Some of de Siún Scullion Architects’ most prominent projects include: 5Cube, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped de Siún Scullion Architects achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 26. TAKA architects © TAKA architects TAKA is an architectural practice based in Dublin, Ireland. Our practice is focused on creating buildings, places and moments which have a distinct character. Our approach involves a careful and economic approach to materials and construction and a first-principles approach to sustainability. We collaborate closely with clients, professional consultants, and expert makers to ensure the ambitions of projects are met and exceeded. A continuing level of excellence in the built work of the practice is recognized by multiple national and international awards and worldwide publication. Some of TAKA architects’ most prominent projects include: Merrion Cricket Club, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped TAKA architects achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 25. NOJI Architects © NOJI NOJI Architects are a practice based in Sligo Town working on individual and collaborative projects throughout Ireland. NOJI architects have been in existence for 4 years, now with two staff and the principle architect being John Monahan. The practice has been primarily involved with residential work ranging from renovation extensions of period properties to one off houses and the possibility of community level buildings in the near future. In parallel to the mainly residential work there is an emphasis on the smaller scale design projects allowing an artistic expression and shorter build fruition periods. NOJI architects aim to have craft and innovative design solutions at the core of their work. Some of NOJI Architects’ most prominent projects include: Scale of Ply, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped NOJI achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 24. Carr Cotter Naessens Architects © Dennis Gilbert, VIEW Box Architecture was created in 1997. Since conception, the company has been established as a leading design practice in the nation. Quality has remained the focus of Box throughout and this has been employed to a variety of projects including urban schemes, apartment units, award-winning private commissions, corporate offices, crèches and housing developments. The success of Box Architecture is achieved through a personal approach to understand client needs. With a hands-on approach, technical expertise, creative execution and a commitment to continued education, the company applies a philosophy of the highest principle in order to contribute to a sustainable future and maintain quality architecture. Some of Carr Cotter Naessens Architects’ most prominent projects include: dlrLexicon, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped Carr Cotter Naessens Architects achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 23. Box Architecture Timber elements mark the transition between openness and enclosure - © Box Architecture Box Architecture was created in 1997. Since conception, the company has been established as a leading design practice in the nation. Quality has remained the focus of Box throughout and this has been employed to a variety of projects including urban schemes, apartment units, award-winning private commissions, corporate offices, crèches and housing developments. The success of Box Architecture is achieved through a personal approach to understand client needs. With a hands-on approach, technical expertise, creative execution and a commitment to continued education, the company applies a philosophy of the highest principle in order to contribute to a sustainable future and maintain quality architecture. Some of Box Architecture’s most prominent projects include: BALLYROAN PARISH CENTRE Ballyroan Library The following statistics helped Box Architecture achieve 23rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 2 22. Kingston Lafferty Design © Donal Murphy Kingston Lafferty Design are an award-winning, international multi-disciplinary design company run by Roisin Lafferty based in Dublin, Ireland. At KLD we think differently about design. Our designs take people on a journey, delivering fun and unexpected experiences. With a holistic approach, we study the way in which people live and work to create tactile and meaningful design, putting human behavior at the centre of every project. Some of Kingston Lafferty Design’s most prominent projects include: Dublin Residence, Dublin, Ireland Ballsbridge Residence, Dublin, Ireland Ranelagh Residence, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped Kingston Lafferty Design achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 3 21. Architecture Republic © Architecture Republic Architecture Republic with offices in Dublin (Ireland)and Lyon (France) operates in the fields of architecture, urbanism and landscape design. We engage with engineers, artists, researchers, policy-makers, and other professionals through research, analysis and cross disciplinary collaboration. We find the seeds of our inspiration in the rich and complex realm of ordinary everyday life. We believe in the social engagement and spatial power of architecture more than its visual or plastic expression. We believe in architecture that creates public spaces and democratic cities. An architecture that revitalizes redefines and strengthens existing buildings and neighbourhoods. Some of Architecture Republic’s most prominent projects include: The Plastic House, Dublin, Ireland Formwork Studio Brick a Back, Gordon Street, Dublin, Ireland Orla Kiely’s New York Store, New York, New York The following statistics helped Architecture Republic achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 4 20. Conneely Wessels Architects © F22 PHOTOGRAPHY Conneely Wessels Architects is an Award Winning Architectural Practice, established in 2008 and based in Kinsale, County Cork. Our practice provides a responsive, imaginative and professional service, tailored to the aspirations of each of our clients, and to deliver quality results, regardless of commission size or type. Some of Conneely Wessels Architects’ most prominent projects include: Three Pavilions, House Clancy, Kinsale, Ireland Peek-a-Boo!, Kinsale, Ireland Cardinal Point, Kinsale, Ireland Ardgwee House, Kinsale, Ireland The following statistics helped Conneely Wessels Architects achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 4 19. ARCHITECTSTM © Ros Kavanagh ARCHITECTSTM is a design practice founded by Tom Maher. Based in Dublin, Ireland the firm boasts a portfolio of residential, cultural and commercial designs. Some of ARCHITECTSTM’s most prominent projects include: K HOUSE, Ranelagh, Ireland GARDENER’S WORLD (FUTURE), Callan, Ireland SLATE STOREY EXTENSION, Dublin, Ireland COTTAGE, County Kilkenny, Ireland 8BY4, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped ARCHITECTSTM achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 5 18. Paul Dillon Architects © Paul Dillon Architects In 1999, architect Paul Dillon established his full-service practice in Galway, which quickly earned a reputation for combining design sensitivity with professional management and delivery. Each year, paul dillon architects complete a small number of challenging everyday projects, ranging from domestic extensions and garden designs to large commercial, retail, industrial and public projects. This commitment to the process of building, has been recognized with numerous national and international publications and awards. The completed work, both public and private, is receiving growing understanding and appreciation from those who take responsibility for their built environment. Some of Paul Dillon Architects’ most prominent projects include: Carnaun Primary School, Athenry, Ireland Extension to Secondary School, County Galway, Ireland Kilrickle Primary School, Kilreekill, Ireland Art Room, Secondary School, Aran Islands, County Galway, Ireland Art Room, Inis Mór, County Galway, Ireland The following statistics helped Paul Dillon Architects achieve 18th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 5 17. Isabel Barros Architects © Robert Mullan Photography isabel barros architects are driven by a passion for creating high quality contemporary architecture. Our goal is to make good design available to the general public while maintaining a strong focus on the energy efficiency and sustainability of our designs. Some of Isabel Barros Architects’ most prominent projects include: Seaview House, Wexford, Ireland Conservation Works at Brandon House Hotel, New Ross, Ireland Extension to House Over 100 Years Old, Ireland River House Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland Shaolin Cottage, Ireland The following statistics helped Isabel Barros Architects achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 6 16. Solearth Architecture © Solearth Architecture Solearth Architecture specialise in design that is both beautiful and deeply sustainable. We have for 15 years been Irelands leading green design firm and now provide architecture, design and consulting services further afield. All projects and client types are of interest to us but our key experience to date lies in hospitality, visitor, environment, wellness and buildings for spirituality as well as housing and private houses. We also have expertise in sustainable masterplanning and urban design. We are Europes only Living Building accredited practice. Some of Solearth Architecture’s most prominent projects include: Airfield Evolution, Dublin, Ireland Castle Espie, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom The Daintree Building, Dublin, Ireland Ballybay Wetland Centre, Ballybay, Ireland Dechen Shying, Cork, Ireland The following statistics helped Solearth Architecture achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 7 15. Foley Architects © Foley Architects, CAMPUS Foley Architects is an architectural practice based in Dublin led by Stephen Foley and Marta Lopez driven by creating sustainable buildings and considered spaces that connect to their physical and social contexts. Our mission is to uncover what is special about each project to create unique spaces and buildings which can inspire communities. The concept of our first built project, the Eastbourne Beach Hut took inspiration from a local story involving fossils and was developed using digital fabrication tools. The pavilion’s translucent skin allows it to transform at night, emitting light and expressing its structure. The Cork Butter museum involved the adaptive reuse of an existing space, it’s remodelling and installation of elements for a collection of artefacts, using economic materials like mild steel and birch plywood. Some of Foley Architects’ most prominent projects include: The Lark Theatre, Dublin, Ireland Eastbourne Beach Hut, Eastbourne, United Kingdom Rossaveel Small Craft Harbour, Galway, Ireland 12th Lock Area Masterplan, Lucan, Ireland Killybegs Small Craft Harbour, Donegal, Ireland The following statistics helped Foley Architects achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 9 14. David Flynn Architects © David Flynn Architects Ltd We are award-winning Architects in Dublin specializing in residential projects, including newbuild houses, reconstruction and significant refurb / extension / transformation of existing. We are currently engaged as Architects in a small number of projects across Dublin with construction values ranging from €400,000 up to €1.5m. The majority of our houses will end up as highly efficient A-rated homes for life. We have a track record in delivering highly bespoke residential architecture projects which run smoothly through design, planning and construction stages, many of which have received awards and been widely published. We use highly detailed 3D Digital models to plan, visualise and clearly communicate from early in the design process to ensure a successful outcome. Some of David Flynn Architects’ most prominent projects include: Garden Retreat, Blackrock, Ireland Mount Merrion, Dublin, Ireland 1930s Extension Renovation, Booterstown, Ireland 1870s period house extension, Sandymount, Ireland Rebuild & Renovation, Clonskeagh, Ireland The following statistics helped David Flynn Architects achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 10 13. ODKM Architects & Designers © ODKM Architects & Designers ODKM are highly experienced award-winning architectural practice, with accolades and publications both in Ireland and abroad. We love design, how it makes us feel, and what it offers us every day, and we are passionate about how important this is in creating new spaces, identities and places that exceed our clients expectations. Ultimately, buildings are about people, and we believe in quality driven design to create environments with a sense of place. Our team each bring unique and diverse skills to the practice, all stemming from a common holistic design philosophy; that design can improve the quality of our lives, and make us happier. Some of ODKM Architects & Designers’ most prominent projects include: Ranelagh House, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped ODKM Architects & Designers achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 12. Architectural Farm © Ste Murray | Photography & Design Architectural Farm is a design focused architectural studio based in Dublin. The studio has been led by Shane Cotter and Kathryn Wilson since 2010. To date the practice has worked on a variety of projects specializing in residential and public commissions in both urban and rural settings but also have collaborated on retail, commercial and landscaping projects. Some of Architectural Farm’s most prominent projects include: Walled Garden, Ballsbridge, Ireland St Declans Terrace, Saint Declan’s Terrace, Ireland The following statistics helped Architectural Farm achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 2 11. GKMP Architect © GKMP Architect GKMP Architects is a Dublin-based practice that designs high quality modern architecture. Our recent projects include house design, domestic extensions, public spaces and tourist facilities. Some of GKMP Architect’s most prominent projects include: Hedge House at Leeson Walk, Dublin, Ireland House Extension at Silchester Park, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped GKMP Architect achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 2 10. Aughey O’Flaherty Architects © Aughey O'Flaherty Architects Since the start, in 1999, we have been blessed with great clients. We work closely with them to understand their needs and create buidings to fit those needs. By 2003, the practice had won the first of many awards and in 2005, we won the prestious RIAI award, best building in the landscape.As conservation architects, we have Grade II RIAI Conservation Accreditation. Some of Aughey O’Flaherty Architects’ most prominent projects include: Fethard House on Mount Anville, Goatstown, Ireland New House The following statistics helped Aughey O'Flaherty Architects achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 3 9. BRENNAN | FURLONG Architects & Urban Planners © BRENNAN | FURLONG Architects & Urban Planners BRENNAN | FURLONG Architects, founded in 2015 by Gareth Brennan and Séamus Furlong, is an award-winning RIAI-registered practice based in Clontarf, Dublin. The practice is accredited in Conservation (Grade III), can act as Project Supervisors for the Design Process (PSDP) and holds full Professional Indemnity Insurance. The work of the practice – a mix of residential and commercial projects — centers on the principle that the well-considered and carefully developed design of buildings and spaces we use every day helps to enrich and enliven our experience and interaction with the built environment. Some of BRENNAN | FURLONG Architects & Urban Planners’ most prominent projects include: GLENTORA, Howth, Dublin, Ireland FOUR WINDS, Dublin, Ireland STRAND ROAD, Dublin, Ireland LERRIG, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped BRENNAN | FURLONG Architects & Urban Planners achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 4 8. Ambient Architecture © Ambient Architecture At Ambient Architecture we design exclusive residences for private clients in new builds, renovation and conservation projects. For our commercial partners, we develop innovative, sustainable, and sound feasibility and planning solutions. As architects we focus on providing the best outcome for our clients, in terms of design, costs, and buildability. Some of Ambient Architecture’s most prominent projects include: New house in Malahide, Malahide, Ireland Rathgar Redbrick, Dublin, Ireland Loreto Abbey Dalkey Sportshall, Dalkey, Ireland Rathmines Redbrick, Dublin, Ireland 2SEMIS, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped Ambient Architecture achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 5 7. Coady Architects © Coady Architects Coady Architects is an award winning practice of highly skilled professionals, specializing in healthcare, residential, workplace and education design. We are passionate about understanding our clients’ and end users’ needs. We understand commercial drivers and add value at every opportunity. We enjoy design, we listen and explore, we innovate and challenge to deliver better environments and better buildings. Some of Coady Architects’ most prominent projects include: Scholen van Morgen. VIIO, Tongeren, Belgium Eolas, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland Clinical Education and Research Centre, Limerick, Ireland Scholen van Morgen. Heilig Hart van Mariainstituut, Berlaar, Belgium Scholen van Morgen, Virga Jessecollege, Hasselt, Belgium The following statistics helped Coady Architects achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 5 6. Architecture 53seven © Architecture 53seven Architecture 53seven is focussed on the delivery of inventive architecture and urban design, with a particular interest in developing new programmatic forms that reflect the complexities of the contemporary city. Established by Jason O’Shaughnessy in 2000, Architecture 53seven has developed a series of acclaimed projects in Ireland and overseas and was nominated for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2009. Some of Architecture 53seven’s most prominent projects include: Egans Juice Bar and Roof Terrace, Main Street, Portlaoise, Ireland Tullow Ciivic Offices and Library Montenegro Villa, Dobra Voda, Montenegro Villa Petrovic, Dobra Voda, Montenegro Renaasance day hospital The following statistics helped Architecture 53seven achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 37 5. FKL architects © FKL architects FKL architects is committed to contemporary design with a focus on the application of abstract ideas to built form. Each project is approached from first principles by responding to the specifics of site and program and formulating a singular concept that informs all aspects of the design. This individual concept is firmly rooted in the pragmatics of the project. We seek to condense ideas to their essentials, from the building form to the detail of junctions between materials with all decisions re-affirming and complementing the primary concept. The form and language of each project grows out of this approach leading to a diversity in the work, within a framework given by enduring interests; in space, atmosphere, assemblage, pattern, hierarchy, texture and materiality. Some of FKL architects’ most prominent projects include: A House, Rathmines, Ireland A house, Rathmines, Ireland St John’s House Nursing Home, Dublin, Ireland Brick House Reuben Street Apartments, Dolphins Barn, Ireland The following statistics helped FKL architects achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 3 Total Projects 17 4. Heneghan Peng Architects © Iwan Baan heneghan peng architects is a design partnership practicing architecture, landscape and urban design. The practice was founded by Shih-Fu Peng and Róisín Heneghan in New York in 1999 and in 2001 opened an office in Dublin, Ireland. We take a multi-disciplinary approach to design and have collaborated with many leading designers and engineers on a range of projects which include larger scale urban masterplans, bridges, landscapes and buildings. Current projects include the Canadian Canoe Museum, The Old Library refurbishment at Trinity College Dublin, the Visitors’ Centre at the Berlin Botanic Gardens and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Some of Heneghan Peng Architects’ most prominent projects include: The Palestinian Museum, Bir Zayt Air BnB European Operations Hub, Dublin, Ireland School of Architecture and Design/Library at the University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom The following statistics helped Heneghan Peng Architects achieve 4th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 3 Total Projects 3 3. Scullion Architects © Scullion Architects SCULLION ARCHITECTS are a Dublin-based Architectural Studio established by Declan Scullion MRIAI, providing architectural services for both the public and private sector. The practice’s work is characterized by a particular attention to user experience supported by an interest in things well-made. Our ambition is to provide a dedicated and professional service delivering exceptional buildings. Some of Scullion Architects’ most prominent projects include: Grand Canal Street, Dublin, Ireland Glass Ribbon, Dublin, Ireland Blackrock House, Dundalk, Ireland Churchtown, Dublin, Ireland The Liberties, Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped Scullion Architects achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 4 Total Projects 5 2. ODOS © ODOS The constant questioning of how people work, rest and play in today’s society is the fundamental driving force behind the practice. We strongly believe our clients deserve to be challenged and that buildings need to inspire their occupants. As architects we have a duty to expose such possibilities. We hope to instill a sense of curiosity and excitement, stimulating a response, confronting and challenging traditional conceptions of architecture Some of ODOS’s most prominent projects include: Flynn Mews House, Dublin, Ireland Dwelling at Maytree, Wicklow, Wicklow, Ireland 3 Mews Houses, Dublin, Ireland Grangegorman, Dublin 7, Dublin, Ireland 31 Carysfort Road, Dalkey, Ireland The following statistics helped ODOS achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 4 Total Projects 9 1. McCullough Mulvin Architects © McCullough Mulvin Architects McCullough Mulvin Architects is an architecture and urban design practice based in Dublin. Much of our work has been in the design of cultural and civic buildings around Ireland, projects working to define a new public realm in a changing society, dealing with Ireland’s diffuse light and stark materiality. The work is based around an idea of experimentation – from small domestic work through to larger civic projects – testing at all scales, the work is original and the response to each brief particular. There is no house style, rather a concern for improving the lives of people by designing public and private spaces where life is played out. Some of McCullough Mulvin Architects’ most prominent projects include: Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny, Ireland Featured image: Trinity Long Room Hub, Dublin, Ireland Z Square House, Temple Gardens, Dublin, Ireland Beaufort Maritime Research Building, Cork, Ireland one up two down , Dublin, Ireland The following statistics helped McCullough Mulvin Architects achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Ireland: Featured Projects 4 Total Projects 6 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 Ireland 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! The Main Entry deadline of June 6th is fast approach — submit your work today. Architectural visualization has gone from a technical exercise to a creative discipline in its own right. Once treated as a (more or less) behind-the-scenes tool for client approval, rendering is now front and center, circulating online, shaping public perception, and winning awards of its own. There are many reasons for this shift. More powerful software, changing client expectations, and a deeper understanding of what visualizations can actually do have all contributed to it. As a result, photorealism has definitely reached staggering levels of clarity, but that’s just one part of the story. In this new era of rendering, visualizations also have a role in exploring what a building or a space could represent, evoke or question. This conceit is precisely why the Architizer’s Vision Awards were created. With categories for every style and approach, the program highlights the artists, studios and images pushing architectural rendering forward. With that in mind, take a closer look at what defines this new era and explore the Vision Awards categories we’ve selected to help you find where your work belongs. Rendering Is Now Part of the Design Process New Smyril Line headquarters, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands by ELEMENT, Studio Winner, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, Photorealistic Visualization For years, renderings were treated as the final step in the process. Once the design was complete, someone would generate a few polished visuals to help sell the concept. They weren’t exactly part of the design conversation, but rather, a way to illustrate it after the fact. That’s no longer the case, however. The best rendering artists are involved early, helping shape how a project is perceived and even how it develops. This results in visualizations that don’t just represent architecture, but influence it, affecting crucial decisions in the process. Through framing, atmosphere and visual tone, renderings can set the emotional register of an entire design, meaning that rendering artists have a much bigger role to play than before. Image by Lunas Visualization, Special Mention, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, Architectural Visualizer Of The Year Recognizing this shift in studio culture and design thinking, the Vision Awards treats rendering as its own form of architectural authorship, capable of shaping how buildings are imagined, remembered and understood. To reflect that sentiment, the program includes categories that celebrate mood, meaning and precision alike: Photorealistic Rendering – For visuals that bring spatial clarity and technical realism to life. Artistic Rendering – For painterly, stylized or interpretive representations. Architecture & Atmosphere – For renderings that evoke emotion through light, weather or tone. Technology Expanded the Medium Image by iddqd Studio, Special Mention, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, Architectural Visualizer Of The Year Rendering used to be a time-consuming process with limited flexibility. Now, however, entire scenes can be generated, re-lit, re-textured and even redesigned in mere minutes. Want to see a project at dawn, dusk and golden hour? You can. Want to swap out a concrete façade for charred timber without starting from scratch? That’s part of the workflow. But these new capabilities are not limited to speed or polish. They open the door to new kinds of creativity where rendering becomes a tool for exploration, not just presentation. What if a building had no fixed scale? What if its context was imagined, not real? Silk & Stone by Mohammad Qasim Iqbal, Student Winner, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, AI Assisted Visualization And then, of course, there’s AI. Whether used to generate inspiration or build fully composed environments, AI-assisted rendering is pushing authorship into uncharted territory. The results are sometimes surreal, sometimes speculative, but they speak to a medium that’s still expanding its identity. The Vision Awards recognizes these new roles of visualizations, offering categories for rendering artists that focus on experimenting with tools, tone or technique, including: AI-assisted Rendering – For images that push the boundaries of representation using generative tools. Artistic Rendering – For stylized visuals that embrace abstraction, mood, or imagination. Context Became a Key Part of the Picture Image by BINYAN Studios, Special Mention, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, Architectural Visualizer Of The Year Architecture doesn’t exist in isolation and, increasingly, neither do the renderings that represent it. By showing how a design sits within its surroundings (whether it’s a busy street, a lakeside, or a forest) visualization becomes a way of understanding context, not just composition. In this new era of visualization, renderings show where people gather, how light travels across a building, or what it feels like to approach it through trees, traffic or rain. Movement, interaction and use-cases are highlighted, allowing viewers to grasp the idea that architecture is more than a single object, but rather, a part of a bigger picture. Image by Lunas Visualization, Special Mention, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, Architectural Visualizer Of The Year That shift comes from a growing awareness that design is experienced, not just observed. A rendering can communicate density or calm, movement or pause, the rhythm of a city or the quiet of a field. It can reveal how a project sits in its environment or how it reshapes it. The Vision Awards includes several categories that speak directly to this expanded role of rendering, including: Architecture & Urban Life — For renderings that depict street-level energy, crowds, or civic scale. Architecture & Environment — For visuals grounded in landscape, terrain, or ecosystem. Exterior Rendering — For exteriors that communicate architectural form through environment, setting and scale. Architecture & People — For moments that highlight human presence, interaction, or use. Details Tell the Story Natura Veritas by David Scott Martin, Special Mention, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, Photorealistic Visualization New tools have made it easier to render with nuance by highlighting texture, light and atmosphere in ways that feel specific rather than generic. With real-time engines, expanded material libraries and refined lighting controls, rendering artists are spending more time on the parts of a project that might once have gone unnoticed. Image by ELEMENT, Studio Winner, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, Architectural Visualizer Of The Year This shift reflects changing priorities in architectural storytelling. Material choices, interior qualities and subtle transitions are becoming central to how a space is communicated. Whether it’s the grain of unfinished timber or the glow of morning light across a tiled floor, these moments give architecture its tone. The Vision Awards includes categories that reward this level of focus, recognizing renderings that carry weight through surface, rhythm and mood: Exterior Rendering — For close-up visuals that highlight the materials, textures, and design details of a building’s outer skin. Interior Rendering — For immersive representations of interior space. Architecture & Materiality — For images that showcase texture, depth and construction logic. Rendering Is Architecture’s Visual Language — and the Vision Awards are Here to Celebrate It Cloud Peak Hotel above the Rainforest Mist by FTG Studio / Zhiwei Liu, Xianfang Liu, Special Mention, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards, AI Assisted Visualization Architectural rendering is no longer a supporting act. It’s a growing creative field with its own voice, influence and momentum. As visualization continues to shape how projects are developed, discussed and shared, it’s clear that the people creating these images deserve recognition for their role in the architectural process. The Vision Awards were built to recognize exactly this. By highlighting both the artistic, technical and conceptual strength of architectural imagery, the program gives visualization the space it’s earned — alongside architecture itself. If you’re an Arch Viz artist, you can explore multiple categories that reflect the challenges, innovations and opportunities of this new era of rendering—from photorealism to abstraction, mood to material. And if your work reflects a strong point of view across multiple images, the Rendering Artist of the Year accolade was created with you in mind. Winners are featured across Architizer’s global platforms, published in print, included in the Visionary 100 and celebrated by a jury of industry leaders. Winning means visibility, credibility and long-term recognition at a global scale. So if your work helps shape how architecture is seen and understood, this is your platform to share it (and, hopefully, your time to shine!). Enter the Vision Awards 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! The Main Entry deadline of June 6th is fast approach — submit your work today. The post Is Rendering Is the New Sketch? The Rise of Visualization in Architecture Today appeared first on Journal.

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 Main Entry prices! As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the creative industries, Architizer’s Vision Awards jury reflects the design world’s most forward-thinking voices. This year’s panel includes pioneering architects, educators, researchers, and visual storytellers at the forefront of generative design. From fostering ethical innovation in global practice to exploring the cultural implications of machine intelligence, each juror brings a unique perspective on how AI, computation, and creativity intersect. Start Vision Awards Entry Collectively, they represent a paradigm shift in architecture — one in which designers are not just users of new technologies, but active participants in defining their purpose. Their influence spans continents and disciplines, proving that the tools of tomorrow can still be wielded with vision, intention, and humanity. Niknaz Aftahi Founder of aecplustech Niknaz Aftahi is the CEO and founder of aec+tech, an all-in-one innovation platform and community that connects professionals in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AEC/O) with cutting-edge tools and technologies. Before launching aec+tech, Niknaz worked as both a design professional and a design technology director at architecture firms in the Bay Area, California. Niknaz is passionate about advancing technology and innovation in the AEC space and is a frequent speaker at national and international AEC-tech events. She serves on the AIA San Francisco Design Technology Committee and is a member of the AIA’s first-ever AI Task Force, a national initiative exploring how artificial intelligence will shape the future of architecture and the built environment. In addition to her work in tech, Niknaz is committed to educational equity. She has developed and taught online architecture courses for Baháʼí students in Iran, who continue to be denied access to higher education in their home country. Ismail Seleit AI Influencer, Foster + Partners Ismail Seleit is a design architect at the industry-leading Foster and Partners, specializing in design technology. With extensive experience in architecture and computational design, Ismail has contributed to diverse projects, ranging from design competitions to the realization of buildings on various scales. Actively supporting design teams, Ismail leverages his expertise in BIM and Computational Design to navigate complex challenges. His primary focus is on enabling project teams to achieve efficient, informed, and collaborative design outcomes. Collaborating across departments, Ismail works to implement innovative methodologies to manage the design process from urban planning to product scale. Simultaneously, Ismail engages in applied research, exploring new opportunities for implementing cutting-edge design workflows. His research specifically focuses into the integration of generative AI image-generating tools, with a keen interest in the combination of Stable Diffusion and ControlNet. This unique approach offers various techniques for generating controlled image compositions based on diverse user-defined inputs. Beyond his architectural pursuits, Ismail is an ambient-electronic music producer, with a focus on film scores. He has composed and produced soundtracks for architectural short films and contributed to the music and sound design of various independent films. Ismail’s passion for creative thinking, coupled with his dedication to design problem-solving, continues to drive his multifaceted and innovative endeavors. Hamza Shaikh Creative AI Lead at Gensler Hamza Shaikh is a creative AI leader at Gensler, pioneering a human-first approach to generative artificial intelligence in design. With a multidisciplinary background as a digital artist, architect and published author, he brings a proven track record of driving creative innovation at scale. His work focuses on integrating AI into the design process and storytelling, ensuring that emerging technologies enhance rather than replace human creativity and design. June Chow Principal Architect and Founder of JUN Architect Licensed architect based in Malaysia and AI specialist with expertise in Generative AI for architecture, urban design, and conceptual visualization. Trainer and consultant for architectural firms and academic institutions on AI-driven design workflows. Speaker at local and global forums and workshops on AI in architecture. Active on LinkedIn as one of the top 100 AI Creators. Andy Shaw Architect and Managing Partner at AMA Design, Chair of RIBA Gulf Chapter Andy Shaw RIBA is an architect based in Dubai. Andy is passionate about how combining innovative technology such as AI and sustainable design can improve the built environment for all citizens. He is the Managing Partner at AMA, a boutique design studio, designers of the landmark ‘Yacht Club’ in Dubai Harbour, the Nobu Hotel and Residences in Abu Dhabi, and over 2000 homes for the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority. He is currently working on large urban PIF projects in Riyadh, KSA and new hotel resorts and housing communities in the UAE. He is the Chair of the RIBA Gulf Chapter, from 2019 till 2025, helping to grow the design community and create events including the regionally focused Sustainability Series, and led the team delivering the Sustainability – Past, Present and Future exhibition in London and Dubai during COP28. He has been using AI technology to further the design process in the studio, and has his AI generated work featured in the RIBA Journal and Building Design Magazine. He has lectured about AI and city design at the Big 5, various tech conferences and run panels and workshops in Design Week, INDEX and Everything Architecture focused on AI and the future of construction industry. He is active online and in practice promoting architecture for the benefit of all the community of designers and citizens. Follow Andy on Instagram. Hassan Ragab Media Artist / Interdisciplinary designer / Architect at HSNRGB Hassan is an interdisciplinary designer, architect and conceptual artist exploring the intersection of art, technology, and humanity. His work delves into themes of identity, heritage, and the evolving role of creativity in a rapidly changing world. Combining generative AI with traditional design processes, he challenges conventional aesthetics while raising questions about the societal and cultural implications of technology. Driven by a desire to provoke thought and inspire dialogue, Hassan’s practice focuses on using innovation as a tool to reimagine how we perceive ourselves and the environments we create. Social Media Handles (@hsnrgb) via Instagram, LinkedIn, X and Bluesky, Marcelo Coehlo Director of MIT Design Intelligence Lab Marcelo Coelho is director of the MIT Design Intelligence Lab and faculty at the MIT Department of Architecture. Spanning a wide range of media, processes, and scales, his work explores how we embody and physically interact with computation, creating new forms of expression and collaboration between human and machine intelligence. Marcelo’s work has been exhibited internationally, including places such as the Rio 2016 Paralympic Ceremonies, Times Square, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and Ars Electronica, and can be found in museums, private collections, and billions of products sold all over the world. Recognition for this work includes two Prix Ars Electronica awards, Design Miami/ Designer of the Future Award, Red Dot Design Award, and Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Award. Marcelo holds a doctorate degree from the MIT Media Lab and is also a Design Tech Innovation Fellow at Cornell University. He teaches graduate and undergraduate studios in industrial design, human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence. 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 Main Entry prices! The post Creative Code: 7 Multi-Hyphenates Guiding This Year’s Vision Awards Jury 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, June 6th marks the end of the Main Entry period — click here to submit your work. What does the future of architecture hold? How will tomorrow’s buildings look, feel, and interact with the existing human-made environment? Which innovations are primed to help us reduce the footprint of construction, improve liveability, and redefine our idea of and relationship to space? These are the questions Architizer’s Vision Awards look to answer (or, at least offer some suggestions in lieu of concrete answers). Dedicated to the planned and unbuilt, which may or may not ever be, nominations represent one of our most unique human traits — the ability to imagine possibilities and impossibilities, to dream big and think well into unchartered territory. Unbuilt architecture, whether it is planned for construction or destined to remain on “paper,” should be more present in a newscycle of press releases for recently constructed or newly opened buildings. Indeed, many of the ideas presented in such projects directly respond to emerging crises exacerbated by our continued reliance on 20th-century practice’s approaches and materiality. Meanwhile, the evolution of architectural visualization allows architects to develop their wildest ideas and to communicate their boldest visions with more clarity and urgency than ever before. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Many studios are looking to re-write the script with high tech innovations that simply would not have been possible in the recent past, or emphasize the urgent need to get back to traditional building styles that utilize natural resources and passive principles in a bid to bring down carbon emissions and other outputs with negative environmental impact. The Kyathos Mass Timber Basketball Arena proposal does both. It’s fitting that we should look at this concept in spring 2025. The Osaka Expo recently opened in Japan and features the largest free-standing wooden structure ever built. The Grand Ring encases the event site and a section of its coastal waters with a circumference of 61,035 square meters (656,975 square feet). To us, it reflects what is possible when modern engineering meets one of the world’s most sustainable materials. Likewise, realizing a size previously unthinkable with wood, Alexander Kitriniaris’ KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm‘s plans for this Greek sports stadium offer a new vision for the athletic facility typology.  Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Employing a composite timber load bearing system, the project — commissioned by Galatsi Municipality — comprises a main court, spectator stands, internal mezzanine and gallery running the perimeter, changing rooms for athletes and referees, toilets, offices, and auxiliary spaces. Its total surface area is 4,000 square meters (43, 055 square feet), all of which complement the location. Designed for the site of an older, smaller wooden gymnasium, which fails to meet modern standards and is scheduled for demolition, the aesthetics reflect the surrounding Mediterranean flora grove. The name Kyathos refers to a type of painted pottery cup popularized in ancient Greece. The design of this was based on the petals of a milkweed belonging to the Euphorbia genus of plants. The countryside in this region is home to around forty such species, making the entire building an ode to indigenous nature and culture that has been here for millennia. When realized, it will stand in sharp contrast to the stereotype of arenas and stadiums most fans across the world have grown accustomed to, which often seem to have landed in situ, from another district if not planet. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Above the main court level, the building’s structure is composed entirely of engineered wood, including glue-laminated timber, cross-laminated timber, and plywood. A timber support frame wraps the indoor gymnasium in a precise 45-by-30-meter (148-by-98 foot) rectangular grid. The roof is formed by ten identical isostatic frames. Symmetrical in design, these triple-arched assemblies combine beams and posts, reinforced where necessary by discreet metal connectors and stiffeners. Overhead, a lightweight polymer roof — waterproof, UV-resistant, recyclable, and printable — ensures durable protection while minimizing weight. In the renderings, an elegant lattice-like pattern, calls attention to these delicate considerations. At the heart of the design, the firm’s plans and visualizations emphasize, lies a bioclimatic structural shell (pictured below), conceived to provide constant shade while optimizing natural ventilation, daylighting, and passive cooling. Meanwhile, rainwater collected from the roof and shaped surfaces is reused for on-site irrigation, supporting the lush Mediterranean flora of the existing grove. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece This year, Saudi Arabia has begun working towards the World Cup 2034. Set to be held in November that year due to the incompatibility of regional climate and international football — or football at any level — the environmental price tag for this edition of the planet’s biggest soccer tournament is likely to be huge. While recent years have seen major strides taken to improve the impact of competitive sports, with last year’s Paris Olympics achieving more than 50% carbon reduction compared with the previous two Games, there are clear differences in what’s needed to host matches in cities like Jeddah and Riyadh. Not to mention the ultra-futurist urban experiment, NEOM — a metropolis that doesn’t exist yet.   Even during winter months, average temperatures across the desert state sit at a very hot 29°C. Humidity is high in coastal areas, while frost and snow are not uncommon overnight on higher ground. While it’s too early to tell the footprint of the vast mega-stadiums we’ve been promised for the competition, heating and cooling requirements are almost certainly going to be immense. We are, after all, experiencing a surge in global temperatures year-on-year and an increase in weather extremes of all kinds, and this will have significantly worsened in another ten years. More so, whether we’re powered with renewables or dinosaur fossils, high energy consumption of all types is not sustainable in the real sense.  Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Analyzing the legitimacy, authenticity and suitability of Saudi Arabia as a World Cup host nation is a conversation for another time. Perhaps another publication. But the fundamental point is we urgently need to rethink and reprioritize non-essential undertakings for the sake of the climate and our planet. When seen through this lens, the plans for Kyathos in Greece act as a symbol of progress and sets benchmarks for a future in which we acknowledge the need for our passions to be in balance with the Earth, rather imposing upon it. The fact this is achieved through an homage to a history in which we were more aligned to nature, and associated materials, but also utilizes modern engineering techniques and manufacturing methods of those materials, only accentuates the masterful vision behind this design.  Given the number of projects that will be designed between now and the stadium’s project 2028 construction date, and the ever-increasing concentration of carbon in our atmosphere, its urgent that we begin celebrating such plans now — while they’re still plans — rather than waiting for the design to become a physical building. After all, architecture starts before you put two bricks together (or, in this case, two pieces of timber). Learn More About Vision Awards 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, June 6th marks the end of the Main Entry period — click here to submit your work. The post Hoop Dreams: Greece Tips Off a New Vision for Arena Architecture 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! The clock is ticking — submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th. After almost fifty years of being open to the public, the Centre Pompidou will temporarily close for a major renovation. The works will address structural aging and bring the facility up to current safety, accessibility and environmental standards, ensuring the Centre Pompidou can continue to operate as a world-class institution. The closure is expected to last approximately five years, with reopening planned for 2030. As would-be visitors postpone their architectural pilgrimages, it’s an opportune moment to revisit some of its most distinctive architectural features. Since its inauguration in 1977,  it is one of Paris’ most recognizable landmarks, an icon of High-Tech architecture and a beacon of cultural innovation. Designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the building turned traditional museum design upside down (or, rather, inside-out!), with its boldly exposed infrastructure and brightly color-coded mechanical systems. French architecture firm Moreau Kusunoki, in collaboration with Frida Escobedo Studio, was selected to lead the ambitious project for their thoughtful approach to contemporary interventions in historic settings and their commitment to sustainability. The upgrade involves no expansion of the original structure; instead, it focuses on improving the building’s long-term resilience and functionality while staying true to the original design’s spirit. View of Centre Pompidou from Montmartre, Paris, France. | Photo by Zairon via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 4.0. 1. The Centre Pompidou is undoubtedly a bold architectural landmark and a prime example of High-Tech Architecture, also known as Structural Expressionism. This style emerged in the late 1960s, primarily in the United Kingdom, and later spread internationally. Highly influenced by Modernism and Brutalism, High-Tech Architecture proudly displays building components, such as structural and mechanical systems, which are typically concealed. The style also celebrates industrial materials, engineering innovation, and prefabrication. Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers were part of a wave of architects, including Norman Foster, Santiago Calatrava, Nicholas Grimshaw, and Michael Hopkins, among others, who contributed significantly to the style’s development. As one of the style’s earliest and most provocative designs, the Centre Pompidou remains an all-time architectural icon.  2. The Centre Pompidou opened its doors in 1977, stirring controversy because of its industrial, rough aesthetic. Its boldly displayed structural and mechanical systems made the building look more like an industrial construction — such as factories or power plants — than a conventional civic building. Many critics saw it as out of place in historic Paris, especially compared to institutions like the Louvre, which embody traditional architectural principles. Yet, its provocative aesthetics, once criticized, are now recognized as a strength, pushing the boundaries of what an art institution can look like. Today, the Centre Pompidou is a powerful symbol of contemporary architecture that reflects the spirit of artistic avant-garde. Views of Paris from Centre Pompidou’s panoramic escalator. Photos by Huân Lê via Unsplash (right) and Florian Peeters via Unsplash (left). 3. Located in the Beaubourg area of Paris’ Marais district, the Centre Pompidou — also referred to as Beaubourg — has played a key role in revitalizing the neighborhood and activating public life with its plaza. It represents far more than a traditional museum, promoting street performances and cultural events. This strategy has transformed the area into a dynamic neighborhood, attracting both locals and visitors. 4. The Centre Pompidou was envisioned as a multidisciplinary cultural institution. In addition to its world-class modern and contemporary art collection, it also houses the Bibliothèque publique d’information (Bpi), the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music (IRCAM), movie theaters, and performance spaces. The integration of multiple disciplines under one roof promotes a vibrant cultural ecosystem that engages a broad and diverse public. 5. One of the Centre Pompidou’s most striking features is the external glass-enclosed escalator that rises the south façade overlooking the plaza. Nicknamed “la chenille” — French for “the caterpillar” — the escalator is more than just functional; it is a defining part of the visitor experience, offering panoramic views of Paris. This façade, with its distinctive escalator, has become so emblematic that a stylized drawing of it serves as the Centre Pompidou’s logo and branding. Centre Pompidou’s color-coded infrastructure. | Photo by Adora Goodenough via Unsplash. 6. Another outstanding feature of the building’s design is its color-coded infrastructure systems, which not only serves a functional purpose but also creates a vibrant visual language. Each  system is painted a different color to indicate its function: Blue for air ducts Green for plumbing Yellow for electrical systems Red for circulation (staircases, escalators, and elevators) The upcoming upgrade project will maintain this defining design aspect — so closely tied to the building’s identity and the spirit of the institution it houses — while improving the building’s overall functionality and sustainability with more energy-efficient technologies.   Centre Pompidou 2030 design by Moreau Kusunoki in association with Frida Escobedo Studio. Paris, France | Visualization by Moreau Kusunoki 7. Like the building’s infrastructure systems, the structure is also external, forming a steel exoskeleton composed of prefabricated steel trusses and diagonal bracing. This design approach reflects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers’ intent to create a visually striking architecture that emphasizes clarity and legibility. The renovation will preserve and restore this architectural expression while making significant upgrades to meet today’s standards, including the refurbishment of the steel frame and façades without compromising the original design intent. 8. By placing the building’s structural and mechanical systems on the exterior, the Centre Pompidou offers expansive open spaces that can be easily reconfigured. This design approach optimizes the flexible use of spaces, ideal for exhibitions and performances. The new design will not expand the original structure but will make better use of previously underutilized areas. According to the architect’s project statement, the renovation seeks to “rationalize and simplify the spatial organization in order to establish clear, readable layout principles.” Centre Pompidou 2030 design by Moreau Kusunoki in association with Frida Escobedo Studio. Paris, France | Visualization by Moreau Kusunoki 9. In their project statement, Moreau Kusunoki also explain the shift in societal values since the Centre Pompidou opened in 1977: “When the Centre Pompidou was conceived, notions of speed, animation and information dissemination symbolized progress. Today, the paradigm is reversed: faced with information overload, fragmented attention and isolation caused by screen time, the Centre Pompidou offers a space where mediation, human interaction and the physical experience are central.” 10. The Atelier Brancusi is integral to the Pompidou’s identity. Situated just beside the main building on Place Georges-Pompidou, it will also close temporarily during the renovation. The renovation measures are aimed to ensure its careful preservation and eventual reopening in 2030. 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! The clock is ticking — submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th. Top image: Centre Pompidou 2030 by MOREAU KUSUNOKI,Paris,France The post 10 Facts About Centre Pompidou, a High-Tech Architectural Iconic in Paris appeared first on Journal.

These annual rankings were last updated on May 23, 2025. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking. Split by the North China Sea into Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo’s East Malaysia, the country has a particular geographical location that has contributed to a diverse and forward-thinking architectural landscape. Its history originates from the Malay kingdoms, which were colonized by the British Empire in the 18th century. Ornate mosques adorned with intricate carvings to elegant colonial buildings lining the streets of George Town are testaments to the country’s architectural heritage. Malaysia’s modern architecture such as the Petronas Twin Towers, designed by César Pelli and the visionary works of Hijjas Kasturi that have reshaped the urban landscape of Kuala Lumpur exhibit technological prowess and sustainable designs. Malaysian architects today draw equal inspiration from traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous motifs, infusing contemporary designs with elements that resonate with Malaysia’s diverse cultural fabric. The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia for example is where traditional Islamic architecture harmonizes with modern museum design principles. Projects such as the Forest City development in Johor demonstrate the country’s commitment to integrating green spaces and innovative technologies to create eco-friendly communities of the future. 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 Malaysia 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 Malaysia architecture firms throughout the year. Without further ado, here are the 20 best architecture firms in Malaysia: 20. Design Unit © Design Unit Sdn Bhd John Bulcock has 35 years experience working as an architect, planner, interior designer and landscape designer on a wide variety of projects in Europe, Turkey, India and Southeast Asia. His experience encompasses Architecture as well as Architectural, Master, Urban and Sustainable Planning. Since 1994 he has been commissioned to carry out a variety of projects in Malaysia, India and Southeast Asia including residential, commercial and institutional buildings and sustainable master planning of resorts and townships. Low energy and sustainable design is central to his philosophy and approach to architecture and he has received a number of awards for his work. Some of Design Unit’s most prominent projects include: Cantilever House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The following statistics helped Design Unit Sdn Bhd achieve 20th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 19. Eowon Designs © Eowon Designs An integrated team of design professionals incorporating architects and interior designers. We believe exquisite designs are produced as a result of artistic judgement coupling with visional innovation. Dedicated to pursue perfection in every project through expressive creativity and committed professionalism. We design to impress! Some of Eowon Designs’ most prominent projects include: BSG Sales Gallery , Penang, Malaysia The following statistics helped Eowon Designs achieve 19th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 1 18. Hijjas Architects & Planners © H Lin Ho Formerly known as Hijjas Kasturi Associates; Hijjas Architect & Planners is the evolution of a long standing professional practice that values a holistic approach to design and building; combining multi-disiplinary approach with strong concept and contextual driven solutions. Some of Hijjas Architects & Planners’ most prominent projects include: Heriot Watt University, Putrajaya, Malaysia Heriot Watt University Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia The following statistics helped Hijjas Architects & Planners achieve 18th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 2 17. Anuar Aziz Architect (a member of Arte Axis Design Group) © Anuar Aziz Architect (a member of Arte Axis Design Group) Arte Axis Design Group is a boutique multi-disciplinary design group specializing in green build environment. Central to the company philosophy is design excellence, achieved through extensive and active collaboration with our clients, consultants and specialists. The work emerges from an evolutionary design process, exploring and testing ideas, while focusing on the clients’ objectives, functional discipline and value based design. Some of Anuar Aziz Architect (a member of Arte Axis Design Group)’s most prominent projects include: SOCSO Rehabilitation Centre, Malacca, Malaysia PPR (People Housing Program) Gua Musang , Gua Musang, Malaysia UPSI Student Village, Tanjung Malim, Malaysia The following statistics helped Anuar Aziz Architect (a member of Arte Axis Design Group) achieve 17th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 3 16. Seshan Design © Rupajiwa Studio We are a boutique, design driven practice based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, where we offer customized design solutions, tailor-made to suit our clients’ needs and exceed their expectations! We believe every project is unique and the best results are obtained from intimate discourse and development with our clients. We are passionate about our work and we seek equally passionate clients who will willingly work closely with us to push the limits of what is possible. We are a very versatility office- our projects range from masterplanning, architecture to interiors and in various categories: residential, commercial, food and beverage and hospitality. Some of Seshan Design’s most prominent projects include: “Chahna” – Glenhill, Shah Alam, Malaysia Menerung House, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia SS3 House, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia The following statistics helped Seshan Design Sdn Bhd achieve 16th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 3 15. Kee Yen Architect © Pixelaw Photography We respond to the sensitivity and random at its artfulness for all reveries. – Ar. Lim Kee Yen “We are dedicated in using multi-perspective and rational means to intervene the development of contemporary living environment, committed to creative-thinking and thorough design solutions. In this complex era, the new ideas and inspirations are always come from the responsiveness and sensitiveness of the contextual study – a careful study of the unique needs, the constraints of each project as well as from continuous improvements in the process from conceptual to construction details. Some of Kee Yen Architect’s most prominent projects include: Project Conservatory, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia KYA Studio, Shah Alam, Malaysia Fillet House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kemaris House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3-Juxta House, Malaysia The following statistics helped Kee Yen Architect achieve 15th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 5 14. D&P Associates © D&P Associates Founded by Romain Duval in 2004 after a successful career with top practices in Paris. We are band of makers — curious, industrious and experimental. We are architects, designers, creators and entrepreneurs working together across a wide range of landscapes and locations. We are futurists, making today what we believe will inspire and connect people tomorrow. Our philosophy is to work closely with client to refine designs and produce cost effective and elegant solutions. People entrust us with realizing the expression of themselves and to translate that into built form. Ours is an architecture of listening & understanding. This is what we know to do. Some of D&P Associates’ most prominent projects include: Spaces Rialto , Melbourne, Australia Regus HP Tower , Wellington, New Zealand Regus Center One, Seoul, South Korea Regus Center One, Seoul, South Korea La Table du Chef, Hanoi, Vietnam The following statistics helped D&P Associates achieve 14th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 36 13. TKCA Architect © TKCA Architect TKCA Architect is an award-winning architectural firm located in Kota Damansara, Selangor, Malaysia which provides complete architectural, planning and interior design services. Founded by Ar. Ts. IDr Rien Tan in year 2020, TKCA Architect has a diverse portfolio of outstanding community, adaptive reuse, industrial, commercial and residential projects. TKCA Architect fully embraces the Integrative Design Team and Integrative Design Process method of design and building which assures the most responsive, accurate and cost effective process for each client. Notably, TKCA Architect has recently earned recognition as one of the emerging architects in Malaysia under KLAF 2023. Some of TKCA Architect’s most prominent projects include: Skyblox Co-living, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Spectrum House, Subang Jaya, Malaysia SAMA Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ERASCAPE PAVILION, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The following statistics helped TKCA Architect achieve 13th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 1 Total Projects 4 12. zlgdesign © zlgdesign zlgdesign was set up some 20 years ago by two architect both trained in London under the banner of zeidlerlim design. Susanne Zeidler had worked and studied under sir Peter Cook in London and Frankfurt, and later at the Bartlett, London, whereas Huat Lim trained at the Architectural Association London, and then went on to work at foster and partners in the UK (at the time the chelsea reach offices had not yet been built) in 1984 and for foster france at the time, in Nimes, south of France. Some of zlgdesign’s most prominent projects include: Point 92, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Lantern Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia BOH Tea Visitor’s Centre, Pahang, Malaysia The following statistics helped zlgdesign achieve 12th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 3 11. Fabian Tan Architect © Fabian Tan Architect Fabian Tan Architect is an architectural studio based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The firm has completed several notable houses which have garnered awards and favourable publication throughout Asia & Europe. Its approach to architecture has been one that involves evolution and flexibility. Ideas that are formed in the conception of a project never imposes anything on the site. Throughout, conventions are constantly reassessed, resulting in individual variations of concepts meant for a specific context. He believes that the essence and consistency of a space is a whole that reflects its constituent parts such as light, material, volume, and relationships. In this hectic and overly complicated times we exist in, restraint and refinement serve as his guiding philosophy to create buildings of subtle beauty. Some of Fabian Tan Architect’s most prominent projects include: Voila House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Eigent House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Ittka House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Ottiqa House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tessera House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The following statistics helped Fabian Tan Architect achieve 11th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 6 10. Eleena Jamil Architect © Marc Tey Ge Wai EJA was formed in 2005 by Eleena Jamil and is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has a breadth of experience in delivering successful and imaginative projects. With a dynamic and committed team of architects and assistants, it focusses on creating enduring architecture by seeking tactile spatial solutions with strong references to context and culture. Some of Eleena Jamil Architect’s most prominent projects include: Sepang House, Selangor, Malaysia The Buzz.ar, Malaysia Bamboo Playhouse, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sri Rampai Pedestrian Bridge, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Shadow Garden Pavilion, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia The following statistics helped Eleena Jamil Architect achieve 10th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 8 9. S.PIN ARCHITECT © S.PIN ARCHITECT S. Pin Architect is an award-winning firm based in Kuala Lumpur. Founded by Ar. Tan Sih Pin, one of the alumni of ’30 Under 40 Emerging Malaysian Architects 2011′, the firm strives for holistic approach in architecture which includes urbanism, interior design & landscape design. It has vast experience in wide range of projects which include residential, commercial, hospitality, recreational, industrial and mixed development. Inspired by Malaysia’s rich nature & diverse culture, S.Pin’s architecture has been persistently spinning out from the following core visions: NATURE When architecture embraces & responses to the surrounding nature, magic happens, innovative solutions will emerge. We believe architecture & nature can symbiotically co-exist and mutually calibrate to reach a new sustainable balance for our challenged environment. CULTURE Architecture functions at its best when it works seamlessly with its surrounding socio-cultural and historical fabric. Some of S.PIN ARCHITECT’s most prominent projects include: The Skywalker House, Jalan Medang Tanduk, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The Concrete Cloud, Bayan Club, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia MINANGKABAU-LONIAL House at Subang Heights, Subang Jaya, Malaysia Pantech Corporation, Pasir Gudang, Malaysia The following statistics helped S.PIN ARCHITECT achieve 9th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 11 8. architects 61 © architects 61 sdn bhd Architects 61 was established in 1995 by Jeffrey Ling. The firm with 50 strong workforces has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and is associated to the regional architectural practice of Architects 61 which is one of the largest practice in Singapore that was founded in 1974. With a proven track record spanning over 25 years, our portfolio includes master planning, mixed use developments, hotels, residences, offices, civic buildings and urban heritage conversion. The Firm is registered with US Green Building Council (USBGC) and also member with GBI as we strongly believe GREEN would be direction to pursue in order that developments become sustainable. Some of architects 61’s most prominent projects include: Kia Peng Suites, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Troika Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia Continew, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Lakeville, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia D’Sara Sentral, Sungai Buloh, Malaysia The following statistics helped architects 61 sdn bhd achieve 8th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: A+Awards Finalist 1 Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 6 7. Core Design Workshop © Core Design Workshop With experiences in new builds, remodeling design and adaptive reuse architecture, Core Design Workshop has been emphasizing on looking deep into the iNSIDE of Architecture, not in the context of interior design but simply representing architecture from the iNSIDE out. Putting Form and Function as the old norm, prioritising on defining the spatial quality within the context of architecture, with creating NEW spatial experiences as the top agenda of all the design programs, re-discovering the inner essence of what truly matters to the building users. Some of Core Design Workshop’s most prominent projects include: inTroVerse House, Subang Jaya, Malaysia inSight House, Malaysia inTerlace House, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia The following statistics helped Core Design Workshop achieve 7th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 3 6. Kuee Architecture © Kuee Architecture Kuee Architect(s) is a multiple PAM Award-winning ISO 9001 Architecture practice in Malaysia. With our design works spread across various countries, our focus is on delivering green, sustainable buildings with exquisite quality and functionality. Some of Kuee Architecture’s most prominent projects include: Rebranding of Pantai Hospital Ipoh, Ipoh, Malaysia 1 Lasam, Ipoh, Malaysia Galasa Event Place, Ipoh, Malaysia Kuee Architect’s Residence, Ipoh, Malaysia The following statistics helped Kuee Architecture achieve 6th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 4 5. SAVA Architects © SAVA Architects SAVA is a design consultancy firm based in Borneo, Malaysia and Danang, Vietnam. We are inspired by the mountains in Northern Borneo and coastlines in Central Vietnam. SAVA is formed with a commitment to designing spaces for people from every walk of life – by utilising locally-sourced materials and local building techniques. Our design intends to bring people closer to nature, especially in an urban environment. Our portfolio ranges from residential, hospitality, commercial to interior design, with past experience in masterplanning, housing and bamboo architecture in Asia and Europe. SAVA’s architecture is beyond aesthetics. Our aim is to raise awareness and appreciation for our surroundings through our thoughtful design process. Some of SAVA Architects’ most prominent projects include: Thavi Cosmetic Showroom, Vinh, Vietnam Red House, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia The following statistics helped SAVA Architects achieve 5th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: A+Awards Winner 1 Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 2 4. Gibert&Tan © Gibert&Tan GIBERT&TAN is a design studio directed by Michael Gibert & Tan Seok Foong. The studio was founded on the premise that a small but expert group of individuals can deliver outstanding works. Our prism is in a permanent search for an accurate interaction with the present, attentive and non-arrogant, with collaboration standing at the core of our methodology. Our interest does range from the mundane to the spiritual and we endeavor to bring these two conditions together to truly impact those who experience our works in real time. Some of Gibert&Tan’s most prominent projects include: 181Chambers@Semantan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia BBR Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Gale’s Residence, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Lotus KL Store, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The following statistics helped Gibert&Tan achieve 4th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 3 Total Projects 4 3. ArchiCentre © Archicentre Sdn. Bhd. Founded in 1994, ArchiCentre is a multidisciplinary architecture design practice based in Malaysia. Archicentre’s work is driven by sustainable regionalism to create socially responsive built environments. Their portfolio of works range from large scale city and town planning through to commercial, hospitality, residential, and adaptive re-use projects. Archicentre’s multi award-winning designs are widely published in the region. Some of ArchiCentre’s most prominent projects include: Estuari Sport Complex, Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia Setia Corporate Headquarters, Shah Alam, Malaysia Glad Tidings Vision Centre, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia S14 House, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Setia Eco Tower, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Malaysia The following statistics helped Archicentre Sdn. Bhd. achieve 3rd place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 3 Total Projects 10 2. Code Red Studio © Utile, Inc. CRS also known as Code Red Studio, aim to be the key player of architecture, interior and illustration industry in Johor Bahru. Some of Code Red Studio’s most prominent projects include: Autodesk Boston Workspace Expansion , Boston, Massachusetts The Bunker House, Kulai, Malaysia 30° tilted terrace REJUVENATION, Taman Tasek, Johor Bahru, Malaysia POOL HOUSE @ Leisure Farm., Malaysia The following statistics helped Code Red Studio achieve 2nd place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: A+Awards Finalist 3 Featured Projects 2 Total Projects 5 1. DRTAN LM Architect © H Lin Ho DRTAN LM Architect (DTLM) is an architectural design studio that operates out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where they are involved in a large variety of high profile work. Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun is the principal of DrTan LM Architect (DTLM). DTLM’s works embrace and interpret regionalism in a modern social context. In a rapidly changing world landscape, they believe that well designed buildings and spaces create added value for all its users. Often working from the basis of typologies, they have managed to interpret and translate simple regional metaphors into their increasingly green architecture. DTLM’s notable projects include GTVC Centre, M Marini, No.19 Subang Jaya, Puchong Festival City, Nagaworld Phnom Penh Cambodia, Suen Galleries Bangsar, No.18 House, 23 Terrace and House 12H. Some of DRTAN LM Architect’s most prominent projects include: PJKita Community Centre, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia 23 Terrace, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia House No.18, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Clay Roof House, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia 8D House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The following statistics helped DRTAN LM Architect achieve 1st place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia: Featured Projects 8 Total Projects 16 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 20 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Malaysia appeared first on Journal.

Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th! Cities can integrate play and participation into their urban planning activities by creating playable spaces, incorporating playful design elements, and promoting citizen participation. Urban spaces have the potential for children to learn through play, enabling them to develop critical social, cognitive and emotional skills in an engaging environment. Moreover, play and participation in public spaces are essential for creating dynamic and inclusive communities where individuals of all ages can connect, interact, and share experiences. Playful interventions, such as interactive installations, art projects and play zones, alongside participatory design processes, empower citizens by giving them a voice and encouraging collaboration in the development of their surroundings. This collaborative approach not only fosters a sense of ownership but also helps to identify and address the unique needs of diverse communities. Lately, designers have been exploring innovative methods to create more inclusive and playful public spaces by using unconventional and sustainable materials. One example is the use of rope-based structures, which offer flexible, tactile, and visually engaging environments that encourage climbing, swinging, and imaginative exploration. These designs often incorporate recycled or locally sourced materials, reinforcing environmental consciousness while promoting accessibility and creativity. Let’s see a few examples. Soft Civic By Bryony Roberts Studio, Columbus, Indiana Soft Civic was a site-specific architectural installation built in 2019 that responded to the architectural geometry of the historic Columbus City Hall. It featured custom-fabricated structures adorned with colorful woven surfaces, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and evoking a sense of engagement and curiosity among viewers. The primary vision of this installation was to create an environment for play, performance, and active participation, encouraging community members to immerse themselves in the space. Additionally, Soft Civic served as a vibrant venue for various community-driven events centered around significant themes such as democracy and leadership. Netscape By Oyler Wu Collaborative, Los Angeles, California Netscape, which consists of 45,000 linear feet of knitted rope, 6000 linear feet of tube steel, and 3000 square feet of fabric shade louvers, creates a sail-like canopy of rope and fabric that floats above the audience. It used a double layer of netting in varying configurations to form a three-dimensional field of billowing shade louvers. Based on a conventional knitting technique, similar to that used in making a sweater, the pavilion exploits the malleability of this method as it stretches to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the structure. The Rope Factory By icecream architecture, Glasgow, United Kingdom The Rope Factory was a large, three-day installation in the heart of Glasgow, installed in 2013. The concept behind our submission was to utilise different colours of rope to represent the different countries of the Commonwealth. This installation will be located on Brunswick Street in Glasgow’s Merchant City. The precursor to the event was a series of activities that brought local communities together to share stories and weave a net from rope. PlayDome Bristol By Arc2 architecten, Bristol, United Kingdom PlayDome was an installation that contained jungle bridges, net tunnels, rope ladders, slides and lianas for Hengrove Playpark in Bristol, UK. Built in 2002, The geodesic dome, diameter 25 metres, is constructed of Azobé hardwood timbers. Beneath the dome, children can safely indulge in vigorous play activities such as climbing, running and sliding. The Floating Island By OBBA, Bruges, Belgium The Floating Island, designed in 2018 and installed as part of Triennale Brugge 2018, is situated near the canal. The pavilion takes on a long, streamlined shape that floats on the water and guides people to the water’s edge. It consists of pontoons on the water, metal frames, deck plates, metal pillars, upper metal rails connecting the pillars, and rope curtains embracing the rails. The rope curtains and their shadows create ambiguous spaces that seem to be both open and closed at the same time. Additionally, the curtains and shadows react to the light and wind, blurring boundaries, repeatedly opening and closing visitors’ views, and refreshing familiar landscapes. Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th! The post Knot Your Average Playground: How Rope Became Urban Design’s New Thread 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! The clock is ticking — submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th. Spiral staircases are famously beautiful but notoriously tricky to design, particularly in section. (Ask any architect who’s ever tried!) Still, the payoff is worth it. Beyond their visual appeal, spiral stairs can save space, guide circulation, and even become striking centerpieces within a building. The projects below prove there’s more than one way to embrace the twist, using unexpected materials and creative details to shape spaces in offices, schools, restaurants and parks. Even when things get complicated, these nine stairs make a strong case for taking the spiral route. OFFICE @ 63 By Sanjay Puri Architects, Navi Mumbai, India Popular Choice Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Commercial Interiors (<25,000 sq ft.) A curved steel staircase rises through the center of this workplace, connecting three levels in one continuous movement. Perforated and matte-finished, it feels both solid and light. Its underside, lined with warm tones, softens the otherwise industrial palette. Set within a tall, multipurpose space used for exhibitions and gatherings, the stair becomes a quiet focal point. Surrounded by concrete, cork, glass and exposed metal, it stands out not just as a route between floors, but as an element that gives the entire space rhythm and focus. La Maison de Beauté Carita, L’Oréal-Luxe By Le studio REV, Paris, France At the center of Carita’s Paris beauty house, part of the L’Oréal portfolio, a curved staircase rises through what was once a closed courtyard. The space is now topped with a tall glass roof that brings in soft, natural light. Pale marble, pink onyx and brushed metal set a quiet, polished tone. The staircase is kept light with floating steps and slim supports. It connects the levels clearly and efficiently, without blocking views through arched openings. In a building designed around care and detail, the stair adds just the right touch of structure and calm movement. Sjustjärnan, New Nordic Headquarters for E.On By Kanozi Arkitekter, Malmö, Sweden A wide, open staircase connects the floors of E.ON’s Malmö headquarters, rising through a central glass atrium that joins the two curved volumes of the building. Designed to encourage movement and connection between departments, the stair is placed at the heart of shared circulation. Materials are simple and natural: light wood treads, glass balustrades and metal accents, chosen to support the building’s focus on well-being and daylight. Generous landings allow for pauses and casual interaction, reinforcing the workplace’s flexible layout. With no assigned desks and no divided entrances, the building encourages a sense of togetherness and the staircase plays a clear role in making that daily flow visible and accessible. The Learning Center at Quest By KSM Architecture, Chennai, India Jury Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Learning A vivid red spiral staircase rises along the facade of this learning center in Chennai, connecting the top floor library to a rooftop cafeteria and terrace. Attached to the exterior, the stair adds a moment of surprise to the otherwise calm, ribbed concrete surface. Made from perforated metal, its bright finish contrasts with the muted palette of the building while echoing the colorful window frames scattered across the elevation. Inside, a separate metal stair winds through a central atrium, linking five stacked classrooms and open learning spaces. Together, the staircases reflect the school’s focus on movement, openness and curiosity — key principles in its interest-based approach to education. Varee Valley Restaurant : Jungle Junction By NPDA studio, Thailand Inside this forest-side restaurant in Northeast Thailand, a white spiral staircase rises slowly through the center of a light-filled dining area. Designed for pause and perspective, the stair leads visitors to a rooftop platform that opens up to the surrounding trees. Built with slender steel members and a delicate footprint, it reflects the lightness of the overall structure and mirrors the verticality of nearby tree trunks. The stair wraps around a central cylindrical column that also serves as a rainwater drain and light shaft, drawing daylight into the heart of the space. The Opera Park By Cobe, Copenhagen, Denmark Jury Winner, Public Parks & Green Spaces, 12th Annual A+Awards At the heart of this new harbor front park in Copenhagen, a spiral staircase descends through the center of a circular greenhouse, wrapping gently around a subtropical garden. The stair connects the café at park level with an underground parking facility, guiding visitors down through layers of greenery. Slim metal railings trace its curve, while the surrounding glass enclosure creates the feeling of walking through an open-air terrarium. The park itself spans six themed gardens across a former industrial island, offering paths, ponds and planting from around the world. In this setting, the staircase becomes part of a wider idea: architecture that supports slow movement, seasonal change and a close connection to nature. Balmy Palmy By CplusC Architects + Builders, Sydney, Australia In this compact holiday home raised above a rocky slope, a yellow spiral staircase links the natural ground to the open-air platform above. Built from powder-coated steel, it curves tightly between tree trunks and timber posts, bringing a sharp contrast to the greens and browns of the site. The stair leads into an outdoor area that connects the home’s simple rooms, with views of the treetops, the bay and the sky shifting between the leaves. Designed to limit excavation and preserve the forest setting, the staircase plays a clear role in the project’s minimal footprint — serving as a key access point and everyday reminder of the landscape it rises from. Dental Clinic By IFAgroup, Gdańsk, Poland Jury Winner, Hospitals and Healthcare Centers, 12th Annual A+Awards Jury Winner,  Architecture +Health, 12th Annual A+Awards Photos by Hanna Połczyńska This dental clinic, once a granary, is organized around a wide spiral staircase that rises through its three-story foyer. Clad in warm wood, the stair connects waiting areas, dental offices and training spaces while giving the interior a clear center. It’s surrounded by concrete, brick and steel surfaces that reflect the building’s industrial past. Live piano music and soft lighting help create a calm atmosphere, while sound-absorbing materials keep the space quiet and focused. Envisioned as more than a circulation route, the stair shapes how people move, wait and gather inside. Concept WRRF Yixing (Water Resource Recovery Facility) By SUP Atelier of THAD, China Inside this water treatment facility, a spiral staircase sits next to a café and community area. Built from metal with clean, simple details, it leads visitors through spaces designed to educate the public about recycling and sustainability. Large windows around the stair offer clear views of the nearby farmland and waterways, connecting visitors with the natural setting. As part of the facility’s open, welcoming design, the staircase makes it easy to see and understand how wastewater is turned into clean water and renewable energy. 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! The clock is ticking — submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th. Top image: The Learning Center at Quest by KSM Architecture, Chennai, India The post 9 (Somewhat) Unconventional Takes on The Beloved Spiral Staircase appeared first on Journal.

Architizer is excited to announce that Daniel Libeskind, one of the most visionary figures in global architecture, has joined the jury for the 2025 Vision Awards. Known for his emotive, idea-driven architecture and deeply symbolic design language, Libeskind’s presence brings immense creative weight to a program that celebrates the most powerful architectural images and concepts shaping the future of the built environment. Libeskind will review entries submitted in an expanded Vision Awards program, which invites architects, designers, photographers, videographers, rendering artists, model makers and students to enter their work for global recognition and publication in print. The Main Entry Deadline is June 6th, 2025, so get started on your entry today: Enter the Vision Awards Over the course of his storied career, Libeskind has built a portfolio that transcends typology and geography. His seminal project, the Jewish Museum Berlin, redefined the relationship between architecture and memory, setting a new standard for how buildings can engage with history and human experience. Since then, he has completed groundbreaking cultural landmarks around the world — from the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, to the Denver Art Museum, to the Military History Museum in Dresden — each one a testament to his ability to turn abstract concepts into built form. In 2003, Libeskind was selected to design the master plan for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, a project that required not only architectural vision, but deep emotional sensitivity. His design emphasized resilience, remembrance, and rebirth — values that continue to define his work today. Studio Libeskind also has notable conceptual or planned projects that form powerful cases studies in architectural ideation, including the Kurdistan Museum, designed as “the first major center in the Kurdistan Region for the history and culture of the Kurdish people.” Start My Entry Early sketches for the Kurdistan Museum by Studio Libeskind, Iraq This lifelong pursuit of the profound makes Libeskind is an ideal fit to judge the Vision Awards. A passionate advocate for architectural representation as a creative act, Libeskind’s design process is rooted in drawing, sketching, and conceptual storytelling. “My mother told me if I were an artist, I’d be so poor I wouldn’t even be able to afford a pencil,” said Libeskind in conversation with Architizer at his studio in Lower Manhattan. “‘You should become an architect,’ she said, ‘because you can always be an artist in architecture.’” As a juror for the 2025 Vision Awards, Libeskind will bring a critical eye to 50+ award categories that explore visual storytelling, conceptual clarity, and emotional impact — from architectural drawings and models to unbuilt projects that speculate on the future of cities, culture, and the human condition. Enter the Vision Awards National Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names by Studio Libeskind, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Popular Choice Winner, Religious Buildings and Memorials, 10th Annual  A+Awards Joining Libeskind on the 2025 Vision Awards jury is a distinguished panel of professionals from various disciplines, including: Steven Holl, Founding Principal, Steven Holl Architects. Winka Dubbeldam, Founding Principal, Archi-Tectonics and Director & CEO, SCI-Arc. Sanjay Puri, Founding Principal, Sanjay Puri Architects. Suchi Reddy, Founding Principal, ReddyMade. Arjun Desai and Katherine Chia, Founding Principals, Desai Chia Architecture. This multidisciplinary jury reflects the Vision Awards’ commitment to honoring a broad spectrum of architectural creativity and innovation. View the complete Vision Awards jury here. Start My Entry Early sketch and photograph of the Imperial War Museum North by Studio Libeskind, Manchester, United Kingdom “I remember when there were all these people in the studio, like draftsmen, doing chores,” Libeskind recalled in his interview with Architizer. “Now, creating architecture is like a performance. It’s beautiful at every stage.” It is these ‘stages’ that will be given the spotlight in the Vision Awards, as the art of creative iteration — whether through drawing, rendering, model making, video or photography — is celebrated on a global stage. Libeskind’s presence underscores the Vision Awards’ mission to elevate not only how architecture is built, but how it is imagined, represented, and shared. With his guidance, this year’s jury will recognize submissions that embody bold thinking, narrative depth, and artistic rigor. Enter the 2025 Vision Awards today for the opportunity to have your work seen by Daniel Libeskind and other global design leaders. The Main Entry Deadline is June 6th, 2025. Start Submission The post Daniel Libeskind Joins the Vision Awards Jury, Bringing Emotive Design to the Fore 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! The Main Entry deadline of June 6th is fast approach — submit your work today. To match or not to match? This dilemma has always been a burden for architects when designing extensions for listed buildings. Perhaps one of the most famous examples of a clashing extension and a listed building was Daniel Libeskind’s design for the Military History Museum in Dresden. Both praised and criticized by many, the modern extension aimed at spatially expressing Germany’s violent history. The architecture was characterized as “insensitive and inconsiderate” as well as “brave and bonkers.” Regardless of whether this specific architectural project was “the right move or not,” it poses a somewhat eternal architectural question: how should architects approach listed buildings, which oftentimes carry an immense amount of history and emotional resonance? The following seven projects reveal several tactics of dealing with delicate pieces of cultural heritage, while adding a new building extension to the mix. Aalt Stadhaus Differdange By witry & witry architecture urbanisme, Differdange, Luxembourg The existing building dates back from 1847, situated in between Church Notre-Dame-des Douleurs (which was torn down) and the local town hall. The project aim was to create a new urban landmark for Differdange. Long filigree columns were used along the west façade to create an interplay between old and new architectural elements that create a harmonic ensemble. In parallel, curated material choices such as tiles and wooden floors merge the two interiors crafting a coherent atmosphere. Void Practice Rooms By John McAslan + Partners,  London, United Kingdom Surrounded by three listed buildings, the Void acts as an extension for the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), hosting a general music practice room, an opera practice room and a new multifunctional RAM space. Preserving the overall aesthetic of the site, the Void Building’s structure and materiality draws from its historic context and internal functions. Specifically, the characteristic red brick and Baroque stone trimmings serve as an inspiration to the modern albeit contextually harmonious extension. Felix-Nussbaum-Haus Extension By Studio Libeskind, Osnabrück, Germany The Felix Nussbaum Haus was originally designed by Daniel Libeskind and was completed in 1998. The new extension, also designed by Libeskind in May 2011, provides an entrance hall to the museum, a new shop and a learning center. The design completely contradicts the existing structure and is comprised of a glass bridge that acts as a gateway. Through the specific colors and materials, the extension “blends” with both museums. The grey plaster provides a stark contrast to the Kunstgeschichtliche Museum and the Akzisehaus, while anthracite colored frames accentuate the series of openings. Additionally, the façade acts as a screen that carefully frames the geometries of the Museum openings, resulting in a grid that guides the overall composition. Marecollege By 24H-architecture, Leiden, The Netherlands Inspired by the school’s philosophical discourse, the concept for the new building extensions was derived from the anthroposophical philosophy, which claims that scientific theory does not describe reality, but the relations which belong to reality. The new building aimed at spatially recreating this theory through lemniscates. This intricate geometry becomes the heart of the design, accommodating many social spaces, auditoriums and a cafeteria. The new façade is as solid as its neighbor, made however out of grey masonry walls. Extension to the Historisches Museum By :mlzd, Bern, Switzerland The extension to the Historical Museum Bern, built by André Lambert in 1894, is composed by two distinct elements: a 1000m2 temporary exhibition hall located beneath a new civic square and a monolithic six story block along the southern side of the site that houses the Bern city archives, offices and a library. Architecturally, the structure interchanges between solid and transparent façades. Specifically, towards the square the building acts as a glazed modernist curtain wall that reveals all the activities that occur in its interior, while the south façade is made of solid, cast concrete punctured by small random openings. Rehabilitation and Extension of the Colani-UFO with shaft hall By SSP AG, Lünen, Germany In the technology centre of Lünen, over a former coal mine factory, hovers a  unique type of “UFO” building. Designed in 1985 by Luigi Colani the “UFO” has become a well-known landmark to the area, thus instigating a rejuvenation approach by the Academy of Applied Science center. The primary idea was to integrate the “UFO,” the shaft and the underlying building with a new extension, turning them into a multifunctional complex able to cater for a wide variety of venues. The design preserved that industrial charm of existing buildings, while maintaining a rather subtle form in comparison to the rest of the heterogenous buildings on site. Particularly the dark monolithic façade becomes a “quiet pause” in a somewhat complex and stimulating urban context. Museum De Fundatie By Bierman Henket architecten,  Zwolle, Netherlands Museum De Fundatie in Zwolle is situated on the border between the mediaeval city center and the open 19th century parkland and its canals. The new extension is a spectacular circular volume placed in the roof of the former Palace of Justice. The structure aesthetically contrasts the medieval façade of Blijmarkt, while however complimenting functionally the museum, acting as a new entrance. The extension – also called the Art Cloud – follows the substructure’s logic by being symmetrical in two directions, thus establishing a new identity for the complex’s urban presence. Its façade is clad with 55,000 three-dimensional ceramic elements, forming a “shimmering” surface that breaks down the original building’s solidity. 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! The Main Entry deadline of June 6th is fast approach — submit your work today. Featured Image: Extension to the Historisches Museum by :mlzd, Bern, Switzerland The post Bold Meets Old: 7 Architectural Extensions that Clash with History appeared first on Journal.

Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th! Learn More About Vision Awards It’s time to give some overdue attention to the people who shape architecture in ways a floor plan never could: architectural photographers and videographers. You’ve captured the atmosphere of a space before the concrete set. You’ve told a story that made someone feel a building halfway across the world. You’ve distilled the soul of a space into a single frame (or a few perfectly edited minutes). You’re a photographer, a videographer, but above of all — a storyteller. And now, there’s an award that sees what you do for what it truly is: architectural work. With that in mind, we want to share a few reasons why architectural photographers and videographers deserve the recognition buildings usually get — along with a handful of Vision Awards categories made specifically for the people behind the camera. From stills of interiors and exteriors to categories that focus on mood, detail and narrative, there’s room for every perspective to find its place. 1. Cameras frame how the world sees architecture. Photo by Shoayb Khattab, Special Mention, Photographer of the Year, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards Apart from documenting what a building actually looks like, what distinguishes good architectural photography is the way it gives people a sense of what it feels like to be there. The weight of the materials, the quality of the light, the atmosphere of the space — it can all come through. When it’s done well, you can almost imagine the sound of your footsteps on the floor. Photographers and videographers decide which parts of a project become visible and which ones fade into the background. You choose what gets shown: the angle, the light, the moment. That version often becomes the one people remember, shaping how they understand a project and what stays with them long after. Front of House/Back of House by John Muggenborg Architectural Photography, Studio Winner, Interior Photograph, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards Through framing, pacing and mood, the image offers legibility. It shows how a space works, where it opens up, where it holds back, where it asks for attention. If your work helps architecture stay visible, understandable and alive in the public imagination, the Vision Awards were designed to recognize exactly that. Explore these categories (and more) at this year’s Vision Awards: Exterior Photograph – For capturing how a building meets the world around it; Interior Photograph – For the qualities of light, texture and space that unfold inside; Building Portrait (Video) – For architectural films that bring movement and life to the frame; Color Photograph – For visual narratives shaped by tone, contrast and atmosphere; Black & White Photograph – For images that focus on structure, light and clarity. 2. Cameras capture what architects can’t put on paper. CREATING THE OSSTF WITH MASS TIMBER by Salina Kassam PHOTOGRAPHY, Finalist, Architecture + Photography, 12th Annual A+Awards CREATING THE OSSTF WITH MASS TIMBER by Salina Kassam PHOTOGRAPHY, Finalist, Architecture + Photography, 12th Annual A+Awards Architecture takes time. And along the way, there are moments worth seeing — materials arriving on site, something being installed for the first time, the way a space starts to take shape before it’s fully done. These stages often go unrecorded, but they reveal just as much as the final result. They show how a project was built, not just what it became. Shanshui Firewood Garden by Mix Architecture, Popular Choice Winner, Sustainable Hospitality Building, 11th Annual A+Awards | Photo by Arch-Exist Even once a building is complete, plans and diagrams can only tell part of the story. They explain how things work, but not how they feel. A drawing can show you where the windows are, but not how the light actually moves through the space. Good photography and video pick up where the technical information stops. They make the atmosphere visible. If your work captures process, mood or the details in between, the Vision Awards offer categories that value the full story — not just the finished product. Categories that might be a good fit for you include: Making Of (Video) – For films that follow the progress of a project from idea to built form; Architecture & Details – For images that focus on texture, surface and material precision; Architecture & Atmosphere – For visual work that brings out tone, timing and ambient light; Experimental (Video) – For creative approaches that rethink how architecture is documented. 3. Cameras show what (and who) architecture is really for. Mikimoto Ginza 2, Tokyo by Stephanie Mills, Special Mention, Interior Photograph, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards Architecture exists to be used. But it’s one thing to plan how a space will function and another to see it in action. Photography and video reveal how people actually move through a building — where they slow down, where they gather, how they occupy space over time. Photo by Philippe Sarfati, Professional Winner, Architectural Photographer of the Year, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards Including people in the frame does more than show activity. It helps us understand proportion. A lone figure in a long corridor. A crowd moving through a narrow threshold. These moments give us a sense of scale that drawings can’t. They show how large or intimate a space feels, how open or compressed, how formal or relaxed. If your work focuses on lived experience and human connection to space, these categories highlight exactly that perspective: Architecture & People – For capturing how human presence gives meaning to a space; Architecture & Urban Life – For movement, density and everyday patterns in the built environment; Profile or Interview (Video) – For stories centered on the people behind or within architecture; Interior or Exterior Photograph – For spaces that hold real use and human scale. 4. You turn representation into interpretation. Every building has a concept behind it—a guiding idea that shaped the form, the material choices, the layout. But that idea isn’t always immediately visible. Sometimes it only becomes clear if you know where to look. Through photography and video, you help surface it. You draw attention to what matters, whether it’s contrast or calm, complexity or restraint. Tower 15 by OODA Architecture, Jury Winner, Multi-Unit Housing, 12th Annual A+Awards | Photo by Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Even the most straightforward image involves decisions: where to stand, what to include, when to shoot. These choices are subtle, but they add up to a kind of authorship. Over time, they influence how a project is read, how it’s remembered and what kind of impact it has. Your work doesn’t just communicate what’s there. It tells a version of the story — one that might otherwise go unseen. Photo by NING WANG, Special Mention, Architectural Photographer of the Year, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards If your work is guided by atmosphere, tone or conceptual clarity, the Vision Awards recognize how those choices shape architectural meaning through these categories and more: Architecture & Atmosphere – For images that evoke feeling through time, light or weather; Architecture & People – For work that draws out human stories and interactions; Architecture & Environment – For interpretations that frame architecture in relation to its context; Experimental (Video) – For films that push the format or shift the lens entirely Any Video Category – For projects that use structure, motion or mood to frame architectural intent. 5. You’re building architecture’s visual legacy. Photo by NING WANG, Special Mention, Architectural Photographer of the Year, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards Every building has a moment when it’s new. But that moment passes quickly. Over time, materials weather, programs change and additions are made. What stays, what gets remembered, is often the way it was first captured. Photos and films become the record. They’re what future clients see. What ends up in books, archives or public memory. Your work might be the only version of the project that people engage with once the building has changed, closed or disappeared. That long-term story deserves a platform. And the Vision Awards and all its different categories exist to make sure it has one. Get the Recognition You Deserve — Submit for the Vision Awards Photo by Kevin Scott, Special Mention, Architectural Photographer Of The Year, 2023 Architizer Vision Awards The Vision Awards were created to recognize the people who shape architecture through images and ideas. That includes the concept designers, the renderers, the model-makers and just as importantly, the photographers and videographers whose work becomes the lasting record. Your images are what people remember. They’re what circulate, what get published, what define how a project is understood long after the fact. The program includes dedicated accolades like Photographer of the Year and Videographer of the Year, alongside a full set of categories for still and moving images. Winners are featured across Architizer’s global platforms, published in our annual print book How to Visualize Architecture and celebrated by a jury of industry leaders. It’s visibility, credibility and long-term recognition — at a global scale. If your work tells the story of architecture (how it feels, how it works, how it lives), this is your chance to step into the spotlight. Learn More About Vision Awards Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Submit your work ahead of the Main Entry deadline on June 6th! The post 5 Reasons Why Architectural Photographers and Videographers Deserve the Spotlight 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! The Main Entry deadline of June 6th is fast approach — submit your work today. In architecture, a building’s function often plays a pivotal role in shaping its design and aesthetic expression. This approach addresses the functional needs of its users and contributes to a unique architectural identity, reflecting the innovative spirit of the institutions it serves. That said, technological advances in architecture not only enhance efficiency but can also become unique design features that elevate aesthetics as much as functionality. For instance, innovative materials and construction methods, automation, or energy-saving control systems can meet practical demands and be visually appealing design features. This approach includes incorporating passive design principles, planning for long-term adaptability, and enhancing occupant comfort. Research institutes, laboratories, data centers, universities, manufacturing plants, medical centers, and tech incubators are notable architectural expressions of an era’s technological progress. The following examples of technological facilities effectively illustrate these principles, showcasing the dynamic relationship between design, function and innovation. Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex By Behnisch Architekten, Boston, Massachusetts Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex by Behnisch Architekten. Boston, Massachusetts | Photo by Steve Dunwell Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex by Behnisch Architekten. Boston, Massachusetts | Photo by Steve Dunwell The Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) is a notable centerpiece for Harvard’s Allston Campus, reflecting a deep commitment to interdisciplinary research, sustainability, and innovative design. This architectural marvel is not just a facility serving a specific function; it represents the forefront of scientific research and technological advancement. The 544,000-square-foot complex embodies the complexities and adaptabilities of modern scientific facilities through its three interconnected lab block thoughtful configuration. It features modular layouts that promote collaboration and creativity, with inviting lounges on multiple floors encouraging researchers to pause and exchange ideas. Aesthetically, the SEC uses a layered façade that integrates hydroformed stainless-steel screens with expansive floor-to-ceiling ribbon glazing. This design creates a visually striking silhouette against the urban landscape while optimizing natural light, ventilation, and thermal performance, showcasing the technological advancements in sustainable architecture. California Institute of Technology Resnick Sustainability Center By CannonDesign, Pasadena, California California Institute of Technology Resnick Sustainability Center by CannonDesign. Pasadena, California | Photo by Michael Moran California Institute of Technology Resnick Sustainability Center by CannonDesign. Pasadena, California | Photo by Tim Griffith Photography Caltech’s Resnick Sustainability Center is a dynamic structure that reflects the institution’s commitment to tackling some of the most pressing environmental challenges, such as clean energy transitions, water scarcity, and environmental degradation. The center fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to advance research in renewable energy technologies, carbon capture, sustainable manufacturing, and ecosystem resilience to create practical, science-based solutions for a more sustainable future. However, the building’s design is not merely functional; its undulating façade, composed of high-performance glass and metal fins, contributes to its striking aesthetics as much as serving environmental purposes. The rhythmic curves of the exterior not only give the building a distinctive identity but also optimize solar performance by managing heat gain and glare throughout the day. Paired with expansive windows that let in generous natural lighting, this striking building skin creates inviting and comfortable interior spaces. Green roofs and vertical gardens serve aesthetic and environmental purposes, enhancing biodiversity and offering a peaceful retreat within the urban fabric. Inside, the center’s shared labs and cutting-edge equipment emphasize transparency and accessibility, encouraging interaction among the building users. One North Quay By Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, London, United Kingdom One North Quay by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. London, United Kingdom | Visualization by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. One North Quay is Europe’s largest commercial health and life sciences building and exemplifies how a research-driven urban campus can integrate into a dense urban setting. Situated in Canary Wharf, one of London’s most space-constrained and strategically connected districts, the building responds to its limited footprint by organizing high-performance laboratories, flexible workstations, and communal zones into a stacked ecosystem that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and long-term growth. The building organizes tenants into blocks that connect labs, lounges, and meeting spaces. This configuration not only fosters interaction but also allows different tenants to scale according to their needs within a shared environment. While the efficient interior layout is impressive, it is its exterior design that stands out. The architecture draws from the site’s industrial heritage, balancing aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. Sections of the facade are clad in graphite aluminum fins and warm-toned terracotta panels, enhancing the building’s vertical expression. These materials are arranged in an elegant gradient, giving the structure a distinctive identity that stands out in the urban skyline. Beyond aesthetics, the facade integrates key sustainable features—including an airtight, high-performance envelope, energy-optimized systems, and extensive photovoltaic arrays—all supporting the building’s goal of achieving a net-zero carbon footprint. These case studies demonstrate that sustainable features are not simply utilitarian elements added to buildings but essential components that shape a building’s architectural identity and aesthetic expression. Harvard’s Science and Engineering Complex’ s high-performance materials and a layered façade system reduce energy use while defining the building’s contemporary, high-tech appearance; Caltech’s Resnick Sustainability Center’s undulating building envelope, green roofs, and abundant daylighting elevate the environmental performance and the user experience; One North Quay’s gradient façade of terracotta and aluminum blends industrial heritage with modern environmental technology, proving that sustainable strategies can contribute to a distinctive urban presence. These examples highlight a shift in the way architecture is approached, where environmental awareness can harmonize with design ambition. Through the integration of passive design strategies, innovative technologies, and creative use of materials, sustainable features are becoming expressive design elements in their own right. In doing so, they redefine what technological facilities can look like: functional, forward-thinking, and visually inspiring. 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! The Main Entry deadline of June 6th is fast approach — submit your work today. The post In High-Tech Facility Design, Form Follows Function — and Sustainability 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. When we think about homes, we tend to picture familiar ideas: comfort, privacy, function — spaces designed to suit many people at once (and, if all goes well, let at least two household members agree on where the sofa and TV should go). But sometimes, architects are asked to design something more specific: a place shaped not by broad assumptions, but by one particular life, habit or need. Across settings and scales, the homes in this collection respond to unusual briefs with equal parts function and imagination. Some are built around creative work, like a house organized entirely around a vlogger’s daily routines. Others offer comfort through significant life transitions, from aging in place with Alzheimer’s to carving out a personal retreat in the wake of loss. From spaces where dogs and humans live as equals to playful structures prioritizing a child’s sense of freedom, each project shows how architecture can leave generalizations behind and create homes that fit real lives — quirks included! Vlogger Aguai’s Home By LZA, Baoshan, Shanghai, China Popular Choice Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Residential Interiors (< 3000 sq ft) This home rethinks the boundary between living and working to meet the needs of a growing online career. Centered around a custom scrapbooking workbench, the layout branches outward, organizing both private life and professional activity in one flexible environment. Curved pathways guide movement through the house, reflecting the layered flow of daily routines and creative work. Materials and spaces are carefully chosen to support content creation: the studio incorporates Aguai’s hobbies into its design, incubating inspiration and offering a welcoming backdrop for videos and workshops. By merging personal passion with professional needs, the home supports both focused work and relaxed living without drawing a hard line between them. Dog / Human By EKAR, Thailand Designed to nurture the relationship between dogs and humans, this house in Thailand adapts both its scale and function for its four-legged residents. A low, agricultural-style roof signals zones for walking, sitting and resting, while wide column bases are shaped to fit sleeping dogs. The house includes a dog hotel and salon, allowing other dogs to share the facilities and creating a social space for both pets and owners. Swimming pool steps are carefully sized for dogs to easily climb in and out; the roof intentionally lets rainwater fall freely to the ground. Every detail is shaped by mutual respect between species — a place where dogs and people live, grow and connect. Light Path By Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Pennsylvania  Built for longtime clients preparing to age in place with Alzheimer’s, this home prioritizes clarity, safety and connection to nature. A simple cross-shaped layout helps with orientation and memory by offering clear, predictable pathways. Wide hallways, accessible bathrooms and same-level entry anticipate future mobility challenges. A 92-foot (28-meter) skylight and expansive windows flood the interiors with daylight, aiding wayfinding and stabilizing circadian rhythms. Natural materials like reclaimed pine and bluestone create a low-contrast, familiar environment, reducing visual confusion. Custom door handles and lowered counters offer easier grip and access, supporting physical independence as needs change over time. The Nearby House By Asooarch Company, Garmsar, Iran The Nearby House creates a shared meeting point for a brother and sister living apart, providing a simple, playful space between their homes. Set in an orchard, the tiny house is shaped by the needs of short visits and childlike exploration — from its curved brick walls that bend around existing trees to the blue-tiled water features that invite play. Every element is designed to support connection, whether through picking fruit, chasing light and shadow or gathering around shared spaces. The architecture remains low, tactile and open to nature, offering a familiar backdrop for memory-making. Rather than formal programs, the design prioritizes casual, spontaneous moments of togetherness, giving the siblings a place that belongs equally to both. Softie By OPA, Mill Valley, California Softie transforms a strict Modernist house into a place of private release, responding to a client’s wish for a free, light and untethered environment. Rather than reworking the structure, the architects introduced a series of soft, cloud-like forms that drift through the home. These interventions dissolve the rigid grid with curved entries, softened stairs and floating shapes that blur traditional spatial boundaries. Materials and details are kept deliberately fluid and irregular, allowing movement through the house to feel loose and intuitive. Even the terrace holds a “trapped cloud” above it, creating small, unexpected encounters with softness. By scattering these moments throughout all three levels, the design makes space for variation, daydreaming and quiet escape from external pressures. LÂM’s home By AD+studio, Vinh Long, Vietnam This project was created as a midday retreat for a mother and daughter, designed around a child’s sense of freedom and play. Built on a narrow 10-by-33-foot (3×10-meter) plot, the house uses a single structural element—the “tree”—to anchor the design. The branching structure carries floors, forms stairs, shades the interior and creates spaces for small tasks, all while maximizing openness. Communal areas are prioritized to strengthen the bond between mother and daughter, with flexible spaces that shift between play and daily routines. Combining functions rather than dividing them makes the house feel expansive despite its size. The light, playful structure echoes the daughter’s name, Lâm and the spirit of movement and growth it represents. Mourning Dovecote By S^A | Schwartz and Architecture, Sonoma, California Created as a quiet retreat for a homeowner navigating grief and change, this 390-square-foot addition focuses on intimacy, memory and connection to nature. Designed to support a slower, more reflective way of living, the compact space draws on simple, tactile materials and close ties to its surroundings. Openings frame the landscape while muffled sounds, like the calls of nearby doves, filter in to mark the passing hours. Rather than expanding outward, the design turns inward, offering a personal, enduring refuge. Built during the pandemic and following personal loss, the project prioritizes familiarity, ritual and small, everyday moments over formal gestures or size. Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters. The post Oddly Specific: 7 Homes Designed for Very Particular Client Briefs appeared first on Journal.

Now open for entries, the Architizer Vision Awards is expanding its mission with the launch of the Visionary 100, a new global spotlight on architecture’s best concept designers, storytellers and visual thinkers. Set for publication later in 2025 and validated by Architizer’s international jury, including renowned architects such as Steven Holl, Winka Dubbeldam and Daniel Libeskind, this vital new platform will shine a light on those defining the visual culture of architecture — today and tomorrow. To apply, simply enter the 2025 Vision Awards in one or more of the 50+ available categories. Every Winner in this year’s program is guaranteed a place in the Visionary 100, an exclusive editorial directory that will be updated each season and republished annually. Firms, individual professionals and students are eligible for inclusion. The Vision Awards Main Entry Period is open for just 4 weeks, so don’t miss out: Start your Vision Awards submission to secure a place in the running for the Visionary 100 and a host of other prizes for your work! Apply for the Visionary 100 Photograph by Kevin Scott, 2023 Vision Awards Special Mention, Architectural Photographer of the Year. Why the Visionary 100 Matters Featured on Architizer.com and shared with our audience of 4.75 million+ architects, clients and collaborators, this is your chance to be recognized for how you think and communicate about design, from the smallest details to the most ambitious concepts for buildings, cities and beyond. Architecture is evolving at breakneck speed, and so too is the way it’s communicated. The Visionary 100 will serve as a critical reference point for editors, curators, clients, and design leaders seeking to understand and celebrate who is shaping the visual culture of architecture today—and who will shape it tomorrow. This widely published feature will be more than a list: It will form a launchpad for architectural discourse and a benchmark for the next generation of creative leaders. Whether you’re an independent visualizer or part of an international design firm, inclusion in the Visionary 100 signals that your work is setting the pace for the profession. Start My Entry Select Winners and Finalists from Architizer One X Challenges and the inaugural Vision Awards. See the complete 2023 Vision Awards Winners’ Gallery here. A Program Built for Creative Thinkers Each winner of the 2025 Vision Awards, across every category, will automatically earn a place in the Visionary 100. The Vision Awards span three key category groups: Architectural Concept – Honoring bold, unbuilt proposals that reimagine the future of housing, cities, sustainability, and more, using up to six visuals to communicate each project. Architectural Vision – Celebrating single images and videos that capture the essence of architecture through renderings, photography, film, drawing, and physical models. Architectural Visionary – Recognizing firms and creators for outstanding portfolios of work across their chosen medium. Explore the categories in full here. Each submission will be judged by a world-class jury of architects, designers, and visual communication experts, with a strong focus on concept, clarity, innovation, and visual impact. See the judging criteria here. Share My Vision Select Winners and Finalists from Architizer One X Challenges and the inaugural Vision Awards. See the complete 2023 Vision Awards Winners’ Gallery here. Join a Global Festival of Ideas Architecture’s future is being written not only in buildings, but in the bold images, ideas, and narratives that shape how we understand our environment. Architizer created the Vision Awards to celebrate this vital part of design culture — the powerful act of envisioning what architecture can be. In addition to their inclusion in this key publication, select visionaries will be invited for exclusive editorial interviews, offering deeper insight into their creative process and the ideas driving their practice. Sound good? We thought so! Submit your work to the 2025 Vision Awards today and earn your place in the Visionary 100 — an essential index of design excellence for the years to come. Start My Entry The post The Visionary 100: Take Your Place Among Architecture’s Top 100 Creative Leaders appeared first on Journal.

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! When the AI wave first crashed into architecture, many feared the end was near. Digital tools like Midjourney, DALL-E and Stable Diffusion could sketch, render and visualize ideas faster than most human teams. Overnight, centuries of craft risked being reduced to a series of prompts and algorithms. But not everyone panicked. Some adapted and evolved. A few, like Amir Hossein Noori, were already living in the future and gaining recognition for it. In 2023, Noori earned Special Mentions at the Architizer Vision Awards, both in the Architect Creator of the Year category and for his AI-assisted visualization project, Cave of Wonders. His early work showed that architects could engage with AI critically and creatively, instead of defensively. He is part of a new generation of architects paving the way forward for a future of architecture with AI. Project by AHN Studio | Images courtesy of Amir Hossein Noori Rather than treating AI as a threat, Noori embraced it as a design partner. As the Cofounder and CEO of AI Hub, he has built a system that helps architects and designers survive in a creative industry that is changing faster than anyone expected. Through AI Hub, Noori has been quietly reshaping what an architect’s toolkit looks like. Instead of offering off-the shelf solutions, his team builds custom AI tools tailored to each firm’s needs. They train design teams to find and use the right technologies, create private AI models to protect creative identity and help architects win more projects, save time, and work smarter. The early days of AI’s arrival were chaotic. Many architects worried that machine-generated design would dilute the craft or even eliminate the need for human designers altogether. I for one, was worried about the fact that it further encouraged the wrong notion that everything done quickly was good, even if it really wasn’t. For Noori,  the panic missed because he was way ahead of time. Architects, he believed, could either resist it or lead it. Project by AHN Studio | Images courtesy of Amir Hossein Noori “My design process is a combination of manual and hand drawing, software, and artificial intelligence. In the initial phase of the project, the project brief is established through multiple client discussions,” says Amir Hossein Noori. “Using the brief and developing a narrative that can support the project’s design concepts, the procedure continues. After refining the narrative, I begin to visualize the ideas using sloppy sketches and diagrams, which are then translated into powerful visuals using artificial intelligence and other software.” Just like Noori, survival for architects should not be about working harder or faster. It should be about working differently. Architects who once spent days refining 3D models now collaborate with AI systems that generate dozens of options in hours. Those who once viewed design as a linear, painstaking process now see it as an agile, evolving conversation between human intention and machine intelligence. The shift has not been easy. Many traditional architects resist the idea of AI participating in the sacred creative process. But some architects are not clinging to the standard definitions of authorship. They are reframing their role and are moving from sole creators to creative directors. They guide and collaborate with AI. Their tools simply changed but the vision is still theirs. Project by AHN Studio | Images courtesy of Amir Hossein Noori Noori’s work shows that AI is not here to replace architects; it is here to extend them. By the work he has done with AI hub, he is showing that the future of architecture belongs to those who know how to lead both people and machines. Its not about losing control. It is about changing the reins and spending less time on the mundane tasks that bog down creativity and more time on the things that matter. Architecture education, too, will need to evolve. As AI becomes a standard design tool, future architects will need to be fluent in form-making, prompt engineering, data interpretation, and creative collaboration with non-human systems. Being a great designer will no longer mean just drawing faster. It will mean thinking broader. Project by AHN Studio | Images courtesy of Amir Hossein Noori At its core, architecture has always been a negotiation between art and technology. From the invention of squares and tables to the first CAD programs, technology has pushed the boundaries of design. AI is simply the next tool in that continuum. Like every tool before it, it demands adaptation and leadership, not fear. The architects who resisted AI may still be standing for now. But those who have embraced it, like Amir Hossein Noori, are already building the next generation of practice. And they are making it clear that in the next era of architecture, vision is still the most powerful tool. 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! Top image: Amir Hossein Noori The post Amir Hossein Noori and the Rise of the Future-Ready Architect appeared first on Journal.