ANs Best of Design Awards were created to honor the outstanding work, both built and unbuilt, happening in the architecture and design community. This year, the 12th edition is proud to befor the first timeeligible to firms and projects worldwide. Perhaps its no coincidence than that this year Best of Design received the highest amount of applications than years previous. The jury, which also went larger and more international for 2024, carefully analyzed the rigor and context of entries to arrive at editors picks, honorable mentions, winners, and the Project of the Year, whose announcement is forthcoming. Decisions were not taken lightly. Unique approaches, consideration of the land, the projects footprint, bold visions, community responses and more factors were considered during deliberation. Below quotes from these conversations are attributed for each winner and reflect why or how a project was awarded. Here are the 51 winners of ANs Best of Design Awards.JuryAlexandra LangeDesign CriticAdaptive ReuseCommercial(Jason Keen)The Shepherd Gallery and Arts CenterPeterson Rich OfficeDetroitThis has sectional simplicity. I like that they showed how they were thinking. The insertion is very clear and clever.Walter HoodAdaptive ReuseEducation(Dan Schwalm)Omaha Public Library Downtown BranchHDR +TACKarchitects Omaha, NebraskaI thought this was a seductive library with its black ductwork and lounge furniture. Instead of an old and stuffy library, this felt very welcoming, but a bit sexy.Katherine DarnstadtAdaptive ReuseHospitality(doublespace photography)Royal AnnexGiannone Petricone AssociatesPrince Edward County, OntarioThe ability of the Royal Annex to make a subdued yet memorable statement inside and out made this project a clear winner.Emily Conklin Adaptive ReuseResidential(Michael Vahrenwald/ESTO)66 MonitorGRT ArchitectsJersey City, New JerseyThis densifies an urban condition, using one simple language over isolated, smaller buildings to increase capacity in the city. Thats meaningful.Li HuArchitectural Lighting(Sean Davidson)The Pinky RingYabu PushelbergLas VegasIts really hard to do architectural lighting, but this shows the craft of lighting really well.Mnica RiveraBuilding RenovationCommercial(Marcus Bredt)AlsterschwimmhallegmpHamburg, GermanyI love the quality of light in this project. Its such an elegant space that doesnt subtract from what was existing.Omar GandhiBuilding RenovationEducation(Scott Norsworthy)Weldon Library RevitalizationPerkins&Will+Cornerstone ArchitectureLondon, OntarioThey managed to make all that concrete feel fresh and warm with a very spare material intervention. Its a well restrained hand that went through this renovation.Katherine Darnstadt Building RenovationHospitality(Pablo Enriquez)The Barrel HallWest of WestAmity, OregonLooking at this space, its immediately palpable how I would move through it, yet the deeply designed shadows maintain a feeling of mystery.Emily ConklinBuilding RenovationResidential(Christopher Sturman)Clinton Hill TownhouseBrent Buck ArchitectsNew YorkThe design is glossy. Its a beautiful, interesting house.David PowellCivic(Nic Lehoux)tmsewtx Aquatic and Community Centrehcma architecture + designNew Westminster, British ColumbiaTheres a scale to it that has a certain eminence. But then inside, it touches the ground and moves out into the horizon. These two scales really work.Walter Hood CommercialHospitality(Dan Ryan Studio)Los Milics Vineyard Tasting RoomChen Suchart StudioElgin, ArizonaThis was an obvious first choiceI love this project.David PowellCommercialOffice (Large)(Csar Bjar)Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca 780HEMAAMexico CityRealized on an overlooked plot, this flatiron-shaped office project is well detailed and striking for its Miesian clarity.Jack MurphyCommercialOffice (Small)(Anton Grassl)38 Newbury - 7th Floor InteriorsTouloukian TouloukianBostonIts difficult to bring such harmony to a single floor of a larger whole, and 38 Newbury executes at the highest level.Emily Conklin CommercialRetail(Rafael Gamo)Blu Dot ShowroomPeterson Rich OfficeNew YorkThe Blu Dot showroom is such a clear winner in this category. The sensibility and taste of the design shines through.Li HuCommercialSports & Entertainment(Edmund Sumner)Academia AtlasSordo MadalenoJalisco, MexicoThe sheer scale of this space is impressive, but it surpasses expectation with its lush and intentional material choices.Emily ConklinCultural(Iwan Baan)Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural HistoryStudio GangNew YorkNew York is in part defined by great public halls: Think Penn Station or the Guggenheim. The Gilder Center is the latest of these and wows with its cave-like shotcrete atrium.Jack MurphyDigital Fabrication(Benny Chen)Grand StaircaseM|R WallsLos AngelesI think theres quite a bit of complexity, and it comes together in an elegant way. Nothing is over the top, but it still achieves something quite elegant.Omar Gandhi EducationKindergarten, Primary & High School(Tim Hursley)Thaden PerformanceMarlon Blackwell ArchitectsBentonville, ArkansasIt takes on site, exterior, creative courtyards, daylight and air, and its very strategic on the construction side and methodology.Joshua AidlinEmerging Architects Project Award(Timothy Hursley)House In A GardenAtelier MeyMiamiThis projects move toward being light on the land is refreshing and unconventional. Its encouraging that emerging architects are considering aspects of building like minimal footings and site sensitivity.Mnica RiveraExhibition Design(Jeremy Bittermann)Africa FashionLEVER ArchitecturePortland, OregonThe choice of color and the way were encouraged to circulate through the exhibition stands out, as does the subject matter.Li HuFacades(Anton Grassl)Coolidge Corner Theatre ExpansionHweler + Yoon ArchitectureBostonHeres a facade thats brick that has a sort of narrative reference to what the building is actually aboutand it just looks like its super well executed.Alexandra Lange Healthcare(Here and Now Agency)Kaiser Watts Learning and Health PavilionPerkins&WillLos AngelesThe choice to fully wash spaces in color makes them feel alive yet calm, which is so important for a healing space. Im not hit over the head with loud patterns but rather awash in hues.Emily ConklinHigher EducationInstructional(Dave Burk SOM)Massachusetts Institute of Technology Stephen A. Schwarzman College of ComputingSOMCambridge, MassachusettsThe shingled glass facade is impressive, but behind it, the buildings interior is superbly finished to offer a cutting-edge environment for computer science.Jack MurphyHigher EducationRecreation & Leisure(Scott Norsworthy)McMaster University Student Activity Building and Fitness CentreMJMA Architecture & DesignHamilton, OntarioI appreciate the sectional exploration, the clean interior, and the clear exterior expression. The building seems well-equipped to handle whatever student life throws at it.Jack MurphyHigher EducationResidential(Jason ORear)Kresge College Residential BuildingStudio GangSanta Cruz, CaliforniaI like that this complex is responsive to the surrounding redwood forest and the existing campus architecture and is woody both in structure and cladding.Jack MurphyInfrastructure(Ema Peter)Portland International Airport, Main Terminal ExpansionZGF ArchitectsPortland, OregonSustainability, biophilia, tectonics, composition, material usage, space-making, architecture: the Portland airport hits every single category of creating a soulful building for human beings.Michelle Franco InteriorHealthcare(Maxime Brouillet)Clinique MonklandAtelier chelleMontreal, QuebecEverything about the ethos of modern wellness is on full display here. This is a holistic project that feels like a complete and total design.Emily ConklinInteriorInstitutional(Scott Norsworthy)Weldon Library Revitalization Perkins&Will+Cornerstone ArchitectureLondon, OntarioThe ability to break down the scale of the building and respect its original bones makes the Weldon Library standout.Emily ConklinInteriorResidential (Renovation)(Eric Petschek)Carroll Gardens TownhouseStarling Architecture+Emily Lindberg DesignNew YorkThe simplicity of the design and the tangible connection to the material palette throughout make this a standout submission.Emily Conklin InteriorRestaurant & Bar(Matthew Millman)The Caff by Mr. Espressojones | hayduOakland, CaliforniaIts new, its simple, and its fresh. And it does this all at a large scale that lends an airy generosity to the space.Mnica RiveraInteriorRetail(Eric Petschek)Veja WilliamsburgOffice JDYNew YorkThis feels like Williamsburg. Its raw and strong.Li HuInteriorWorkplace (Large)(Laura Peters)The MillCannonDesignAtlantaI think that the execution is pretty amazing. They had a really acute eye when it came to furniture, and even the texture overlay.Omar GandhiInteriorWorkplace (Small)(Bess Friday)Goodwater CollectiveAtelier Cho ThompsonSan FranciscoI appreciate this projects third-space approach and hospitality-like atmosphere, complete with a variety of seating and gathering options.Jack Murphy Landscape(Pavel Bendov/ArchExplorer)Presidio Tunnel TopsField OperationsSan FranciscoThis is a really hard project, especially infrastructurally. They have to cover up the main access to the Golden Gate Bridge, and it extends the Presidio down to the beach. I thought it was pretty amazingand it gets a lot of use. People love it.Walter HoodLibrary(Jeff Goldberg/Esto)Far Rockaway LibrarySnhettaNew YorkI love that this is a library that thinks about light and the way light can be used to define zones in a space. They integrated the artwork into the actual building itself, versus a feature art wall. The building becomes the artwork.Katherine DarnstadtResidentialMixed-use(Tim Hursley)PS1200Marlon Blackwell ArchitectsFort Worth, TexasWhat a cool idea, and the execution seems so sharp. Wouldnt we all like to live in this kind of artist community?Alexandra LangeResidentialMulti-unit(Jason Keen)City Modern - Carriage HomesMerge ArchitectsDetroitThe unique massing and mixing of materials inside and out presents City Modern as a contemporary vision for multi-family housing.Emily Conklin ResidentialSingle-unit(Rafael Gamo)Santa Mara del OroMCxA GroupNayarit, MexicoI think this hits so many different areas, from sustainability, integrating into the land, respecting the existing forested hillside to innovative form wrapping around all these trees.Joshua AidlinRestoration & Preservation(Douglas Friedman)La Casa DragonesMeyer DavisSan Miguel de Allende, MexicoThis combines restoration and interior design: how you furnish and create a modern experience in a building of antiquity. I think they did a stellar job.Joshua AidlinSocial Impact(Peio Erroteta)Cleveland FoundationS9 ArchitectureCleveland, OhioThis is one of the roughest areas of the Midwest. Can you imagine walking into this community building to engage in gathering? What an amazing gift.Joshua Aidlin Student Work(Matt Weigand)Vandal Healing Garden and MemorialIdaho Design Build, University of IdahoMoscow, IdahoThis project is designed for the full experience: from day to night, and from first visual encounter to an intimate tactile one.Emily ConklinTemporary Installation(Samuel Engelking & Mila Bright Zlatanovic)Staging GroundsThe Bentway ConservancyTorontoStaging Grounds works well during the day but also at night. It acknowledges that temporality as a temporary installation. It addresses both moments.Mnica RiveraUnbuiltCommercial(Courtesy ARCHITECTUREFIRM)Agricultural Retreat ARCHITECTUREFIRMShenandoah Valley, VirginiaHow do you subtly innovate on an agricultural vernacular? I think theyre doing some really interesting things with the tectonics of barn building and then combining that with more spiritual, almost sacred spaces.Joshua Aidlin UnbuiltConceptual(Courtesy STUDIO ENE)Parkland 17 MemorialSTUDIO ENE +Klopfer Martin Design GroupParkland, FloridaThere are distinct parts of this design: how it meets the ground and then how it differentiates a space at the ground for people. These transitions make a sacred space.Katherine DarnstadtUnbuiltCultural & Civic(Courtesy FORMA)PlayscapesFORMAStamford, ConnecticutI liked the cartoon-y nature of the roof and that each pavilion had an inside and then its own yard. Im always happy to see playgrounds and playscapes done in an elevated wayAlexandra LangeUnbuiltEducation(Tom Takata)lelo Hawaii CampusStrawn SierraltaHawaiiThis project ambitiously attempts a full campus for learning in the indigenous language of Hawaii. It is culturally important and architecturally interesting.Jack Murphy UnbuiltLandscape, Urban Design & Master Plan(Courtesy UltraBarrio)Do Buses Dream of Urban LifeUltraBarrioHoustonIts trying to think about the bus as another infrastructural piece, which is really interesting.Walter HoodUnbuiltResidentialMulti-unit(Courtesy University of Arkansas Community Design Center)GrowLofts: A PrototypeUniversity of Arkansas Community Design CenterI feel like this is a complete idea and executionand its really interesting. Its really unique. This project dreams bigger than what we typically see.David PowellUnbuiltResidentialSingle-unit(Courtesy NEMESTUDIO)Hempo Longhouse and Other StoriesNEMESTUDIOCaliforniaI appreciate the thorough documentation of this project, from plan drawing to models and material mockups. This isnt just paper architecture, its ready to make much-needed change in real world housing discourse.Emily ConklinUrban Design & Master Plan(Bloom Images)Stanton Yards Cultural Waterfront Master PlanOSDDetroitI like this one because it felt low-key and a little bit industrial, so it had a very different language than so many of the waterfront urban parks that were seeing. It felt like they were trying to preserve some ethos of what was already there.Alexandra Lange