A circular platform finds new lives for used equipment
CategoriesSustainable News

A circular platform finds new lives for used equipment

Spotted: In France, a recently enacted law prohibits companies from destroying their unsold non-food goods without first trying to resell, donate, or recycle them. To promote the circular economy and help companies meet this requirement, startup CircularPlace has created a platform that optimises the collection and management of unsold goods, second-hand equipment, and returns. The digital marketplace matches businesses and charities with available products that are either unsold inventory, returns, or used, non-food items.

Items are first offered for sale, then for donation. The marketplace is free to use, and CircularPlace takes a 10 per cent commission on every sale. Products listed for sale are auctioned, and after the seller confirms the condition of the items, the buyer receives a tax receipt and certificate of sale. Items available for donation go through a similar process.

After being listed for both sale and donation, CircularPlace provides owners of items unable to find a new home with a network of verified recyclers. And as a last resort if products are unable to be recycled, CircularPlace issues a certification that allows the owner to discard the products without falling foul of waste regulations.

For organisations large enough to utilise an internal marketplace, CircularPlace provides a white-label platform to rent, share, and exchange products. Gamification features help make it fun for employees to track team footprints, and for all users of the marketplace, CircularPlace provides reports on the volume of emissions prevented by every transaction.

Industries notorious for the volume of their waste are beginning to explore circularity, with innovations in Springwise’s library showcasing options for reusing electronics and deadstock material.

Written By: Keely Khoury

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CategoriesArchitecture

Wavy Balconies With Overhanging Plants Are A Design Feature On This Apartment Building

A modern building with curved balconies and overhanging plants.

Architecture firm K.A Studio has designed the remodel of an apartment building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, that included the addition of green space.

A modern building with curved balconies and overhanging plants.

In an area filled with concrete and hard lines, this updated apartment building, which is now used for staycations, has been designed as an oasis in the city, with the curved balconies creating a soft edge on the facade.

A modern building with curved balconies and overhanging plants.

Overhanging plants cascade down the side of the building, while taller plants add different layers and grow up between the voids created by the balconies.

A modern building with curved balconies and overhanging plants.

The underside of the balconies is lined with wood, adding to the natural look of the building.

The underside of these balconies is lined with wood, adding to the natural look of the building.

At night, uplighting creates shadows on the balconies above.

At night, uplighting creates shadows on the balconies above.
A modern building with curved balconies and overhanging plants.

The balconies overlook a pool that’s located on the ground floor and has curves that mimic the exterior of the building.

A curved swimming pool complements the curved balconies above.
A curved swimming pool complements the curved balconies above.
A curved swimming pool complements the curved balconies above.
A modern building with curved balconies and overhanging plants.

Throughout the building materials like woods, local split stones, concrete, terrazzo, and rattan are featured.

The interior of this building features materials like woods, local split stones, concrete, terrazzo, and rattan.

Bright hallways with lighting embedded in the concrete floors, and in the ceiling, guide guests to their private apartments.

Bright hallways with lighting embedded in the concrete floors, and in the ceiling, guides guests to their private apartments.

The apartments are minimal in their design, with simple wood furniture in the living room, and a kitchenette.

A minimalist apartment interior with LED lighting and a small living room.
A minimalist apartment interior with LED lighting, a small living room, and kitchenette.

In the bedroom, a horizontal wood accent above the bed hides LED Lighting, which also complements the lighting on the opposite wall. There’s also a floating wood desk that lines the wall, and a sliding door opens to a balcony.

In this bedroom, a horizontal wood accent above the bed hides LED Lighting, which also complements the lighting on the opposite wall.
A floating wood desk.
Photograph: Hiroyuki Oki | Architects: K.A Studio | Lead Architects: Doan Quoc Khanh | Design team: Dang Anh Khoa, Hoang Anh Dung, Tran Quoc Nhat, Le Duc Duy | Construction: La Maison Du K

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Roof and lookout at Žiče Charterhouse church by Medprostor in Slovenia
CategoriesArchitecture

Medprostor encloses 12th-century church with folding roof in Slovenia

Local studio Medprostor has covered and partially repaired a 900-year-old Romanesque church in Slovenia, placing an operable roof on top of the open structure to create a space “between a ruin and a reconstruction”.

Medprostor crafted a series of modest interventions alongside the folding roof that aim to protect the significant monastic building, located inside the fortified grounds of the historic Žiče Charterhouse.

The repairs and alterations were also intended to improve its functionality for tourism and events.

Roof and lookout at Žiče Charterhouse church by Medprostor in SloveniaRoof and lookout at Žiče Charterhouse church by Medprostor in Slovenia
Medprostor has topped a 12th-century church with a folding roof in Slovenia

According to the studio, the project was conceived to protect the church’s immaterial qualities as an ancient and sacred place, in addition to preserving its physical remains.

“The construction and restoration interventions were carried out in such a way that they enable a chronological reading of the 900-year-old sacral space,” Medprostor cofounder Jerneja Fischer Knap told Dezeen.

“[The design] fully conforms to the requirements of heritage protection for reversibility, with less invasive and less intense interventions,” he continued.

Blackened wood and steel roof over church in Žiče Charterhouse by Medprostor in SloveniaBlackened wood and steel roof over church in Žiče Charterhouse by Medprostor in Slovenia
The half-gable roof structure spans the length of the church and can be opened to the sky

“The largest intervention was the covering of the existing building with a semi-movable, folding roof,” Knap said.

“When lowered, it enables the smooth running of events in the church regardless of the season and weather, while when raised, it preserves one of the most important intangible moments of the ruin: contact with the open sky.”

Lightweight black steel, blackened wood and dark slate tiles make up the half-gable roof system, distinguishing the gesture from the church’s original masonry architecture.

Medprostor also chose restrained and rectilinear geometries for its interventions, seeking to establish a low-tech aesthetic language that could sit harmoniously against the heritage structures.

“The roof, together with its details and proportions is related to the key architectural elements of the whole church,” Knap explained. “And yet, it can also act as an illusion – a spectre in harmony with the open, ephemeral character of the ruin… [a] space between a ruin and a reconstruction.”

Open roof and ruins of the church at Žiče Charterhouse by Medprostor in SloveniaOpen roof and ruins of the church at Žiče Charterhouse by Medprostor in Slovenia
A dark, uniform material palette defines the interventions across the church

The studio reconstructed a demolished portion of the church’s walls and flooring, while spiral staircases were placed into existing vertical shafts to reconnect visitors to an upper-level viewing platform.

“Two staircases are connected to a new lookout point with a narrow, slightly sloping corridor leading up to it, framed by the outer faces of the [reconstructed] north wall,” Knap explained.

“The lookout point offers an essential view from above of the northern part of the monastery complex and its ruined character.”

Repaired wall and raised flooring in church at the Žiče Charterhouse by Medprostor in SloveniaRepaired wall and raised flooring in church at the Žiče Charterhouse by Medprostor in Slovenia
The studio made limited repairs to the ruins, including reconstructing its partially collapsed northern wall

Slovenian architecture studio Medprostor was established by Knap, Rok Žnidaršič and Samo Mlakar in 2011, with projects spanning across the public and private sectors.

Medprostor’s interventions at Žiče Charterhouse were shortlisted for the 2024 European Mies van der Rohe Award, which has previously been won by Grafton Architects for its colonnaded teaching building for Kingston University in London.

The seven finalists for the 2024 Mies van der Rohe Award were recently revealed to include The Reggio School by Andrés Jaque, a copper-clad convent in France and a library by SUMA Arquitectura in Spain.

The photography is by Miran Kambič.

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Entrance to Hayat restaurant with marble host stand in foreground
CategoriesInterior Design

Ivy Studio installs colourful marbles in Montreal’s Hayat restaurant

Montreal-based Ivy Studio has chosen a variety of dramatic marble to outfit a Middle Eastern restaurant, which features a colour palette influenced by “the earthy tones of the Syrian deserts”.

In Montreal’s Old Port neighbourhood, the 1,500-square-foot (140-square metre) Hayat restaurant is designed to reflect the cuisine served by chef Joseph Awad.

Entrance to Hayat restaurant with marble host stand in foregroundEntrance to Hayat restaurant with marble host stand in foreground
The marble host stand at Hayat sets the tone for the restaurant’s Middle Eastern-influenced colour palette

“This Middle Eastern restaurant’s colour palette was inspired by the earthy tones of the Syrian deserts and their surrounding greenery,” said Ivy Studio.

Upon entering is a screen of black hammered-glass panels, which also conceals the kitchen in the far corner.

Dining room with marble topped tables, green chairs and cream wallsDining room with marble topped tables, green chairs and cream walls
In the main dining space, banquette seating runs along two walls below a fabric ceiling installation

In the main dining room, built-in benches form an L along two walls, while a pair of U-shaped booths sit against another that arches over them.

The seat backs are upholstered in mauve velvet and the cushions are wrapped in contrasting deep green leather.

Private booths positioned below an arched ceiling and behind a partition of black hammered glassPrivate booths positioned below an arched ceiling and behind a partition of black hammered glass
Private booths are positioned below an arched ceiling and behind a partition of black hammered glass

Closer to the kitchen is another small, semi-circular booth built into the walnut millwork.

Here the cushioned seats are covered in ruby-toned velvet, and a metallic light fixture is suspended above.

The bar counter made from teal, pistachio and cream-coloured marbleThe bar counter made from teal, pistachio and cream-coloured marble
The bar is made from a dramatic marble variety with streaks of teal, pistachio and cream colours

Ivy Studio selected a wide variety of striking, richly veined marbles, “each contributing their own touch of colour into the space” according to the team.

The bar is made from a dramatic stone with teal, cream and pistachio striations, while the host stand and dining table tops in the main area are purple and white.

A red-hued semicircular booth tucked into walnut millworkA red-hued semicircular booth tucked into walnut millwork
A red-hued semicircular booth is tucked into the walnut millwork close to the kitchen

The building’s exposed brickwork is painted cream to match the other walls, while the original historic stone between the large windows is left exposed.

“The ancient stone walls at the front and rear facades were left intact to showcase the building’s history,” Ivy Studio said.

Curved layers across the ceiling, which hide indirect lighting, are designed to evoke the smooth landscapes of the Middle East.

A fabric installation suspended above the dining tables curves around more strips of lighting, diffusing the light to create a warm glow.

Bar made from a dramatic marble variety with streaks of teal, pistachio and cream coloursBar made from a dramatic marble variety with streaks of teal, pistachio and cream colours
The bar is made from a dramatic marble variety with streaks of teal, pistachio and cream colours

Walnut, stone and cream walls are also found in the bathrooms, which echo the colour and material scheme throughout the restaurant.

“The overall intention of the palette was to bring together the worlds of Middle Eastern nature and Old Montreal construction,” the studio said.

Hayat restaurant by Ivy StudioHayat restaurant by Ivy Studio
The same material palette continues in the moody bathrooms

Ivy Studio has completed several interiors across Montreal that include colourful marble.

These include the Italian restaurant Piatti where the dark green stone contrasts the building’s rough walls and co-working office Spatial where purple surfaces pop against mint green millwork.

The photography is by Alex Lesage.


Project credits:

Architecture and design: Ivy Studio
Construction: Groupe Manovra

Reference

Filter cartridges purify the water from most taps
CategoriesSustainable News

Filter cartridges purify the water from most taps

Spotted: By 2050, analysts expect global demand for water to outstrip supply by nearly 60 per cent. And ageing infrastructure makes it difficult for cities to use the latest technologies to store and distribute potable water. One potential solution to the very complex problem of providing communities with clean, fresh water is to filter what is available. 

Tunisian greentech company Dracoss has built a purifier that attaches to most types of taps and works without electricity, making it accessible to organisations with limited financial means. The ceramic filter cartridges last for three to six months, and the filtering process can be turned off to allow unfiltered water to run through the system as a means of extending the life of the cartridge.

The tap water filter captures every contaminant that is 0.3 microns in size or larger, which includes sediment, rust, parasites, and algae. Dracoss’ design includes activated carbon granules to improve the taste of the filtered water, and the system is easy to install. The company provides both an installation and maintenance video for support in installing the filter and changing the cartridge.

For larger organisations, Dracoss also offers a greywater recycling machine that cleans used water from dishwashers, baths, sinks and more. The recycled water is clean enough for use in laundry, toilets, and irrigation. The system can reduce overall water consumption by up to 50 per cent.

As well as filters and greywater recycling, Dracoss also provides educational seminars on water scarcity and various solutions, and the company ships internationally.  

From small-scale, plug-and-play water sanitation systems to off-grid nanogrids that provide solar power as well as clean water, innovations in Springwise’s library demonstrate the diversity of solutions needed for this intricate world challenge.   

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

alt="Photo_of_the_Sagrada_Família_in_Barcelona,_by_ChatGPT_4.0,_Dall-E_3.0_(2024)"
CategoriesArchitecture

Human vs. Machine: Striking the Balance With AI in Architectural Design

Architizer’s Tech Directory is a database of tech tools for architects — from the latest generative design and AI to rendering and visualization, 3D modeling, project management and many more. Explore the complete library of categories here.

‘Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace architects?’

This question has been at the forefront of several discussions that have been vibrantly presenting many dystopic scenarios where big data, algorithms and machine learning will eventually replace human creativity and intuition. However, AI technology existed long before the AI bloom, rarely causing excessive panic within creative fields. So why is AI technology suddenly so threatening to the architectural profession?

Looking back at science fiction movies, AI was oftentimes presented as a human avatar that could accomplish assignments, make calculations and provide insightful information in unprecedented speeds. Nevertheless, it never performed extremely creative tasks. It was always depicted as a trusted artificial “advisor” capable of processing large amounts of data and automate complex procedures.

When platforms such as Midjourney, DALL-E and Stable Diffusion were introduced to the world, the creative skills and intuition necessary to visualize spaces and settings were abruptly redefined. Consequently, AI technology became a tool for generating impressive compositions and rapid design prototyping through the use of simple text prompts, eliminating the need for manual drawings or an overall architectural knowledge.

At the same time, a different set of tools was developed. AI apps such as qbiq and Laiout have the ability to process data, thus optimizing building sustainability and offer design solutions that are in accordance with local building codes. This type of AI software follows the more familiar pattern of speedy data processing, resulting in designs based purely on logical thinking. For the architectural profession, making this distinction between “creative” and “logical” AI algorithms is crucial.

Architizer’s new Tech Directory aggregates tech tools for architects, allowing you to search, compare and review AI softwares before selecting which to you in your next project:

Explore Architizer’s Tech Directory

On the one hand, even though “logical” AI tools are able to generate countless design iterations based on predetermined parameters, they lack the nuanced understanding of cultural context, emotional resonance, and human experience. There’s also a risk of homogenization, where buildings designed by AI algorithms may lack the diversity and richness that stem from individual human perspectives and cultural influences. Another challenge lies in the inherent biases embedded within AI algorithms.

Machine learning models are trained on historical data, which may reflect societal biases and perpetuate inequalities in architectural design. Without careful oversight and intervention, AI algorithms could inadvertently reinforce existing biases related to race, gender, socio-economic status, and accessibility, leading to inequitable outcomes in the built environment. Admittedly, the risks associated with data-driven AI technology and architectural design are well-known and somewhat obvious. In such a subjective discipline, logic alone is not enough to create spaces that are truly regarded as pieces of architecture. Design is partially an instinctive process that is unique for each individual architect and cannot be replicated by any intelligent machine.

“Creative” AI algorithms, however, pose a different type of challenge since they bring an ‘unpredictability factor’ to the table. Instead of relying purely on data, text-to-image generators produce designs based on subjective (human generated) prompts. Instead of spending numerous hours sketching, drawing and model making, “creative” AI apps can generate countless concepts in a matter of seconds by simply feeding them client briefs. Nevertheless, while they seem ideal for producing impressive concepts for early stage design, the images they create are fairly fictional. Ironically, they lack data.

Even during the initial brainstorming phase, architects do consider an array of objective as well as subjective information regarding their project. From climatological site conditions to potential present or future occupants and even immaterial data such as past histories, myths or cultural norms. This framework of complex interrelationships becomes the blueprint for designing for specific sites, people and cultures, adopting a holistic approach towards proposing creative and innovative solutions.

There is no doubt that both “logical” and “creative” AI algorithms have become ‘trusted advisors’ for many architects. “Creative” AI tools are ideal for showing design intention, representation and visualization. In other words, they bridge the communication gap between architects and clients. In parallel, “logical” AI tools can rapidly access and process information such as planning codes or material specifications and energy reports. During the technical and construction stages, many AI apps can automate processes and produce standardized drawings seamlessly and with minimal effort.

In short, both types of AI tools are two sides of the same coin, showing both promise and peril. Still, as long as architects are aware of AI limitations, integrating the technology into their workflow can provide valuable insights and inspiration, inform decision-making and ultimately enhance the practice of architecture. Architects have always been the mediators between logic and creativity, with AI being no exception. This paradigm shift presents an opportunity as well as a challenge, which — if navigated correctly — will enable architects to focus on what they do best: creating innovative, human-centered and culturally significant spaces.

Architizer’s Tech Directory is a database of tech tools for architects — from the latest generative design and AI to rendering and visualization, 3D modeling, project management and many more. Explore the complete library of categories here.

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Lobby lounge at Mollie Aspen with earth-toned furniture and a gridded wood ceiling
CategoriesInterior Design

Post Company imbues Mollie Aspen hotel interiors with earthy hues

New York studio Post Company has designed warm, wood-filled interiors for a boutique hotel in Aspen, Colorado, which offers a pared-back take on the Arts and Crafts style.

Mollie Aspen occupies a new timber-clad building designed by CCY Architects and developed and operated by HayMax in the mountain city’s downtown area.

Lobby lounge at Mollie Aspen with earth-toned furniture and a gridded wood ceilingLobby lounge at Mollie Aspen with earth-toned furniture and a gridded wood ceiling
With an open fireplace as a backdrop, the lobby lounge at Mollie Aspen features earth-toned furniture and a gridded wood ceiling

Post Company was tasked with creating the interiors for the 68-room hotel, combining contemporary Scandinavian and Japanese design elements for a serene take on Rocky Mountain luxury.

“Mollie is designed for those with a natural curiosity and appreciation for connection and offers visitors a unique, welcoming respite in the bustling mountain town,” said the hotel’s team.

All-day cafe in the Mollie Aspen lobby All-day cafe in the Mollie Aspen lobby
An all-day cafe in the lobby serves pastries and beverages from a walnut-wrapped counter

An abundance of wood can be found throughout the different spaces, with numerous varieties creating a layered effect of different colours and grain patterns.

The timber is crafted into elements like gridded wall and ceiling panels with built-in lighting, which evoke an Arts and Crafts aesthetic, as well as fluted counterfronts and a range of furniture pieces.

Burl wood counters and displays in a retail spaceBurl wood counters and displays in a retail space
Burl wood counters and displays present goods in the hotel’s retail space

The majority of the materials used in Mollie’s construction were sourced from the Western United States to reduce waste, according to the team.

Meanwhile, other accents like earthen ceramics, hand-dyed textiles and sand-casted brass add to the cosy atmosphere.

Guest room with neutral decorGuest room with neutral decor
Guest rooms offer an even more pared-back take on the neutral decor palette

“These materials are incorporated throughout the hotel to mimic the area’s rough-hewn mountains while large windows frame views of the surrounding landscape and bring an abundance of light into the hotel,” said the team.

The lobby lounge is designed as a cosy gathering space for guests and the public, with a large open fireplace providing a backdrop.

Beige plaster walls and textured carpet in a guest roomBeige plaster walls and textured carpet in a guest room
Beige plaster walls and textured carpets complement the wood ceilings in the guest rooms

Chunky leather, velvet and boucle sofas and armchairs in a range of earthy hues form comfy conversation nooks.

At one end of the room, the black-topped bar spans the full width and is illuminated by a row of globe-shaped pendant lights suspended from thin brass bars.

Guest suite with black leather furniture and snowy mountain viewsGuest suite with black leather furniture and snowy mountain views
Black leather furniture in the larger suites offers a contrast to the other furniture pieces and snowy mountain views

A repeated geometric pattern across the pale counter front is also found on door panels leading to other hotel areas.

An all-day cafe at the opposite end of the lobby serves pastries and an assortment of beverages from a walnut-wrapped counter, and the restaurant

Bathroom with dark green tiles and freestanding white bathtubBathroom with dark green tiles and freestanding white bathtub
Dark green tiles in the bathrooms match the spruce trees outside

In the adjacent retail space, burl wood counters and displays with curved edges, some of which are topped with glass vitrines.

On the third floor is a roof terrace with a bar and a spa pool set to open in Spring 2024, while a fitness facility and flexible meeting space are located at ground level.

The guest rooms continue the soft, neutral palette in a more pared-back style.

Beige plaster walls, textured carpets and green-grey curtains complement the wood ceilings and built-in furniture, while black leather chairs add contrast.

Mollie Apsen entrance with logo on the entrance canopyMollie Apsen entrance with logo on the entrance canopy
Mollie Aspen is located within a newly constructed building by CCY Architects

Dark green stacked tiles that line the bathrooms match the spruce trees outside and freestanding tubs beside the windows allow guests to enjoy the view while soaking.

“Guests are left with a sense of Aspen’s cultural and recreational history, providing a lens to appreciate its contemporary personality and influence,” the team said.

Mollie Aspen's wood-clad exteriorMollie Aspen's wood-clad exterior
The building was constructed largely from materials sourced from the Western US

Aspen is a renowned destination for winter sports and affluent vacationers, and CCY Architects has designed several private residences in and around the town – among them an extension to a Victorian house, a residence nestled in a grassy valley and a retreat that overlooks the dramatic mountainous scenery.

Formerly known as Studio Tack, Post Company’s previous hotel projects include the Anvil Hotel in Wyoming, The Sandman in California, and Scribner’s Catskill Lodge in New York.

The photography is by Nicole Franzen.

Reference

The Phoenix sustainable neighbourhood by Human Nature
CategoriesSustainable News

UK’s “most sustainable” neighbourhood receives planning approval

Development company Human Nature has received planning approval to transform a former industrial site in Lewes into a sustainable 685-home neighbourhood that will be the UK’s largest made from timber.

The Phoenix, which was granted planning permission last week, will be built from engineered timber and be the most sustainable neighbourhood in the UK, according to Human Nature.

The Phoenix sustainable neighbourhood by Human NatureThe Phoenix sustainable neighbourhood by Human Nature
The buildings in the Phoenix development will have engineered timber structures

“One year after proposals were announced for the transformation of a 7.9-hectare brownfield site into the UK’s most sustainable neighbourhood, the Phoenix development has today been granted planning permission, taking the visionary project a step closer to reality,” said Human Nature.

“When complete, it will be the UK’s largest timber-structure neighbourhood and a blueprint for sustainable placemaking and social impact that can be deployed at scale.”

Sustainable neighbourhood in Lewes by Human NatureSustainable neighbourhood in Lewes by Human Nature
It will be located on a former industrial site

Located in the South Downs National Park, the Phoenix will contain energy-efficient homes, public space and healthcare, retail, hospitality and industrial space, all constructed from engineered timber including cross-laminated timber.

It will be the largest structural timber neighbourhood in the UK by number of units, Human Nature’s head of sustainable construction Andy Tugby told Dezeen.

The buildings will range from two to five storeys tall and be clad in prefabricated panels made from locally sourced timber and biomaterials such as hemp.

Sustainable development in Lewes by Human NatureSustainable development in Lewes by Human Nature
A riverside walk will feature in the neighbourhood. Image by Carlos Penálver

Industrial structures on the site will be repurposed to house most of the community spaces, including a canteen, event hall, taproom, fitness centre, workspace and studios.

The Phoenix’ homes will be designed to be energy efficient and powered by renewable energy sourced from on-site photovoltaic panels and an off-site renewable energy facility.

Aiming to create a place for all generations and for people with mixed incomes, 30 per cent of the 685 residences will be affordable homes – 154 of which will be built to the government’s Local Housing Allowance rates and the remainder built as part of the First Homes scheme.

The Phoenix will be designed as a walkable neighbourhood that prioritises people over cars, with a mobility hub providing electric car shares, car hire, electric bike services and shuttle buses to help encourage a shift away from private vehicle use.

Public squares, gardens, community buildings and a riverside pathway that stretches the length of the site will provide space designed for interaction between residents.

Timber structure neighbourhood by Human NatureTimber structure neighbourhood by Human Nature
The development will contain energy-efficient homes

The Phoenix masterplan was designed by Human Nature’s in-house design team with UK architecture studio Periscope and Kathryn Firth, director of masterplanning and urban design at Arup.

Developed designs for the scheme will be made in collaboration with UK architecture studios Archio, Ash Sakula, Mae Architects, Mole Architects and Periscope and engineering firms Expedition Engineering and Whitby Wood.

Drawing of a park surrounded by buildingsDrawing of a park surrounded by buildings
The Phoenix aims to provide sustainable housing to people with a range of income brackets. Image by Carlos Penálver

Human Nature is a development company based in Lewes that was founded by former Greenpeace directors Michael Manolson and Jonathan Smales.

Other timber developments published on Dezeen include a zero-carbon housing scheme in Wales by Loyn & Co and Henning Larsen’s plans for Copenhagen’s first all-timber neighbourhood.

The images are by Ash Sakula, courtesy of Human Nature, unless stated.

Reference

Mapping the sky to prevent planet-warming contrails
CategoriesSustainable News

Mapping the sky to prevent planet-warming contrails

Spotted: The white streaks that aircraft leave in the sky, known as contrails, account for almost 60 per cent of aviation’s climate impact. But up until recently, contrail prevention was deemed either too difficult or impossible. Now, however, Cambridge-based Satavia has created a technology that enables airlines to create flight plans that minimise contrail formation.

Using data analytics and AI, Satavia has developed a weather prediction model that can forecast the conditions that lead to the formation of contrails. The company’s tech platform, DECISIONX, harnesses and combines multiple environmental, weather, and aircraft data to provide insights into local conditions in the atmosphere anywhere, anytime. This system builds on Satavia’s 5-DX software, which acts as a ‘digital twin’ of the the earth’s atmosphere from surface to space.

The insights from DECISIONX enable flight planners to make decisions to minimise climate impact. For example, they may modify a flight’s altitude or route to avoid flying through parts of the atmosphere that technology indicates are prone to contrail formation. These changes need not be dramatic, as a lot of contrail damage can be prevented by even the slightest variations in a flight path.

The Satavia platform further enables organisations to validate contrail prevention and best practice, and the quantified climate benefit can be converted into ‘future carbon equivalent units’ for trading on voluntary carbon exchanges.

Last year, Etihad Airways signed a multi-year contract with Satavia for contrail prevention. It aimed to see Etihad scale Satavia’s software and apply it through its daily flight operations.

Springwise has previously spotted other innovations aimed at making the aviation sector more sustainable, from the development of a carbon-neutral fuel to AI making flights more efficient.  

Written By: Georgia King

Reference

© Yasutaka  Yoshimura Architect
CategoriesArchitecture

30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan

These annual rankings were last updated on February 20th, 2024. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking. 

Japanese architecture and building formulae have long been revered by the West. Even if the nation’s notably minimalist ethos remains somewhat elusive, the formal exchange between Japan and the rest of the world have been reciprocal and fertile. In addition to its characteristic Buddhist temples, vast Shinto shrines, traditional curved roofed structure and regenerative approach to preservation, Modernism took off in Japan following the Second World War and left a great impression on the international architectural community with its Metabolist movement. Immense structural rehabilitation took place after the war, and pioneering architects like Kenzō Tange made significant contributions to Japan’s built environment by synthesizing traditional architecture with modernism.

This reinterpretation of modernist architectural styles was championed through the 20th century by architects who underscored the interplay of architecture with the landscape. Japanese architects espouse a pragmatic approach to architecture, which can be explained by its unique geography prone to earthquakes and floods. This has led to an onslaught of innovative reinforcement techniques that continue to be explored today. Nevertheless, such structural requirements have never limited the Japanese from erecting transformative and quirky architecture in the past and present. For example, Tadao Ando, a vocal proponent of concrete, demonstrated the heavy material’s ability to embody lightness, and such explorations continue with today’s building community. Among the many structural typologies worthy of envy are Japanese school designs and THE TOKYO TOILET; the country’s pedagogical structures reflect its rich curriculum, which underscores discipline, curiosity and responsibility.

With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Japan based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority:

  • The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2024)
  • The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2024)
  • The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2024)
  • The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2024)
  • The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2024)

Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Japan architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 35 best architecture firms in Japan:


30. Yasutaka Yoshimura Architect

© Yasutaka  Yoshimura Architect

© Yasutaka Yoshimura Architect

Yasutaka Yoshimura Architects is an architecture and urban design practice based in Tokyo. Our aim is to realize new forms of architecture and cities regarding market, laws, norms and environment as opportunities for our design.

Some of Yasutaka Yoshimura Architect’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Yasutaka Yoshimura Architect achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 6

29. Aisaka Architects’ Atelier

© Aisaka Architects' Atelier

© Aisaka Architects’ Atelier

Aisaka architects’ atelier is located in densely populated suburban Tokyo. Her work revolved mostly around public projects.

Some of Aisaka Architects’ Atelier’s most prominent projects include:

  • AMANENOMORI NURSERY SCHOOL, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
  • Higashitateishi Nursery school, Katsushika City, Japan
  • house in todoroki, Tokyo, Japan
  • KEIUN BUILDING, Tokyo, Japan
  • Tesoro Nursery School, Kojimachi, Chiyoda City, Japan

The following statistics helped Aisaka Architects’ Atelier achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 6

28. bandesign

© bandesign,Ltd.

© bandesign,Ltd.

Architecture has long life and difference from another design. I don’t design with an idea, but I do design for never changing. For example, the sun come up in the east, and set in the west. It is definitely never changing for ever. I want to design intentionally for long life. In addition, long life is closely related with architectural culture. Historical architecture is being existence strongly. Could you imagine the architect’s mind? If he were not enthusiastic, the historical architecture wouldn’t be existence. The design work might be for his life. It is clear that architecture is same as fine art, another art.

Some of bandesign,Ltd.’s most prominent projects include:

  • Mirrors, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
  • Involve, Nisshin, Japan
  • Turn,Turn,Turn,, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
  • Secret Garden, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
  • The Distance, Japan

The following statistics helped bandesign,Ltd. achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 1
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 7

27. CASE-REAL

© CASE-REAL

© CASE-REAL

Led by designer Koichi Futatsumata, CASE-REAL works on interior / architecture projects. With creative ideas and technological studies based on each environment, objective and tasks given for each project CASE-REAL will seek for an essential solution to fit each atmosphere.

Koichi Futatsumata is the representative director of “CASE-REAL” focusing on spacial design, and “KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO” which specializes in product design. He is based in Fukuoka and Tokyo working internationally with variety of works including architectures, interiors, furnitures and products.

Some of CASE-REAL’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped CASE-REAL achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 7

26. Yohei Kawashima architects inc.

© ©Koji Fujii /TOREAL (16)

© ©Koji Fujii /TOREAL (16)

Yohei Kawashima architects was founded in 2014 by Youhei Kawashima and is based in Tokyo, Japan. The firm is well versed in the design of large-scale apartment buildings as well as retail architecture.

Some of Yohei Kawashima architects inc.’s most prominent projects include:

  • M_building, Miyakojima, Japan
  • JINS Sendai Izumi, Sendai, Japan
  • O_apartment, Miyakojima, Japan
  • S_apartment, Miyakojima, Japan
  • N_apartment, Miyakojima, Japan

The following statistics helped Yohei Kawashima architects inc. achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 10

25. MOVEDESIGN

Photo: Yousuke Harigane - © MOVEDESIGN

Photo: Yousuke Harigane – © MOVEDESIGN

There is no fixed color for our job. We design the passion and imagination of the owner and staff members, and convey it visually to the world. We also place the highest priority on creating a happy community where people who sympathize with the place gather. Therefore, MOVE DESIGN works not only with architecture and interiors, but also with interior designers, art directors, copywriters, and other members of the team to connect with customers and provide them with communication to achieve good results. Each store has different colors, and the more colors, the more interesting the city becomes. The concept of MOVE DESIGN is to make each store’s original color and make various colors.

Some of MOVEDESIGN’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped MOVEDESIGN achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 13

24. Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture

© Takumi Ota Photography

© Takumi Ota Photography

We seeks to re-interpreted architecture’s position within cultural practices that determine meaning, particularly within will of epoch analysis. The investigations traverse not only conventional notions of space, enclosure, and order but also the fluctuating frames that define spaces.

Some of Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 15

23. Tsutsumi And Associates

© Tsutsumi And Associates

© Tsutsumi And Associates

We are an architectural design firm with two offices in Hiroshima and Beijing. Every site has a complex intertwining of various issues that are different from each other. We carefully untangle them, identify the conceptual issues, and aim to create a unique architecture for the client. Such an architecture will not be merely a style for show, but will live with the client for a long time with pleasure.

Some of Tsutsumi And Associates’s most prominent projects include:

  • ANZAS Dance Studio, Beijing, China
  • House in Dawanglu, Beijing, China
  • Tsingpu Baisha Retreat, Lijiang, China
  • Ryoutei Matsuko, Hangzhou, China
  • Hangzhou Spiral Villa, Hangzhou, China

The following statistics helped Tsutsumi And Associates achieve 23rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 17

22. kasa architects

© kasa architects

© kasa architects

We want to create places, not buildings. We share our clients’ ideas and wishes, discovering the joys and comforts of a new way of life. We value the qualities of a place, and we want to create rich spaces by pursuing the possibilities of architecture.

Some of kasa architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped kasa architects achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 18

21. noiz

© Daici Ano

© Daici Ano

New forms of music in their infancy have often been taken as noise.  The name of noiz / architecture, design and planning takes cue from developments in music history as an everyday reminder of the firm’s commitment to unique and insightful design solutions. Keisuke Toyoda and Jia-Shuan Tsai founded noiz / architecture, design and planning in the beginning of 2006.  Both founding principals have significant work experiences in institutional, commercial and residential design in Japan, China and the United States.

Some of noiz’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped noiz achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 7
Total Projects 47

20. MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS

© MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS

© MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS

Moriyuki Ochiai, born in Tokyo, Japan is an architect and designer. He established his own studio, Moriyuki Ochiai Architects that is active in architectural, interior, furniture, landscape and industrial design. The sources of our inspirations come from being captivated by the vivacious and lively beauty of nature or life.

We can also feel the influence coming from the delicate sensitivity responding to the unique Japanese nature, which can be found in Japanese temples and gardens. We wish to continue creating works that fulfill people’s dreams, become the energy for their lives, and then move on to a deeper dimension that exceeds life itself.

Some of MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped MORIYUKI OCHIAI ARCHITECTS achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 7
Total Projects 14

19. Klein Dytham architecture

© Klein Dytham architecture

© Klein Dytham architecture

Klein Dytham architecture (KDa) is a multi-disciplinary design practice known for architecture, interiors, public spaces and installations. Established by Royal College of Art graduates Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham in Tokyo in 1991, today KDa is a multi-lingual office with an international reputation and a high-profile client list which includes Google, Tsutaya, Sony, Virgin Atlantic, Nike, Uniqlo, Selfridges and Japan Rail.

KDa’s built work includes flagship retail stores, restaurants, resort facilities, office fit-outs, houses and private residences. KDa has no stylistic recipe, preferring to work with the client, program and other project parameters to develop a uniquely tailored solution. Materials, technology and context are all key elements of KDa’s design approach, spiced always with an irreverent or surprising twist.

Some of Klein Dytham architecture’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Klein Dytham architecture achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 10
Total Projects 10

18. Tadao Ando Architect & Associates

© Tadao Ando Architect & Associates

© Tadao Ando Architect & Associates

Born 1941 in Osaka, Japan. Self-taught in architecture. Established Tadao Ando Architect & Associates in 1969. Major works include the Church of the Light, Pulitzer Arts Foundation, and Chichu Art Museum. Awarded the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) Prize for the Row House in Sumiyoshi in 1979, Japan Art Academy Prize in 1993, Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1995, Person of Cultural Merit (Japan) in 2003, International Union of Architects (UIA) Gold Medal in 2005, John F. Kennedy Center Gold Medal in the Arts in 2010, Shimpei Goto Award in 2010, Order of Culture (Japan) in 2010, Commander of the Order of Art and Letters (France) in 2013, Grand Officer of the Order of Merit (Italy) in 2015, and Isamu Noguchi Award in 2016. Held solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 1991 and Centre Pompidou in 1993. Taught as a visiting professor at Yale University, Columbia University, and Harvard University. Professor at the University of Tokyo from 1997. Professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo since 2003.

Some of Tadao Ando Architect & Associates’s most prominent projects include:

  • He Art Museum, Foshan, China
  • Centro Roberto Garza Sada de Arte, Arquitectura y Diseño, Monterrey, Mexico
  • ICHIGONI at 152 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY, United States
  • Asia Museum of Modern Art, Asia University, Taichung City, Taiwan

The following statistics helped Tadao Ando Architect & Associates achieve 18th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 1
A+Awards Finalist 5
Featured Projects 5
Total Projects 4

17. Kichi Architectural Design

© Kichi Architectural Design

© Kichi Architectural Design

We are Kichi Architectural Design based in Japan. The design of homes is our main business line, but we also design stores and offices. While appreciating the inherent energy of land, we cultivate expansive ideas through repeated consultations with each client. Our aim is to create unique spaces that resonate with the spirits of the people who will live there.

Some of Kichi Architectural Design’s most prominent projects include:

  • House of Blocks, Ushiku, Japan
  • Cubic House Of Kubogaoka, Moriya, Japan
  • Ripple House, Tsukubamirai, Japan
  • Scandinavian Middle, Tsukubamirai, Japan
  • Hotel PatInn, Ogasawara, Japan

The following statistics helped Kichi Architectural Design achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 8
Total Projects 30

16. Florian Busch Architects

© Florian Busch Architects

© Florian Busch Architects

Florian Busch Architects is an office practicing architecture, urbanism and socio-cultural analysis. Based in Tokyo, FBA draws on a worldwide network of expert consultants, architects and engineers, accumulating several decades of experience in the ἀeld of building. Understanding architecture as the result of interactions between multiple ἀelds, FBA, from the outset of any project, devises speciἀc strategies working in feedback processes with a diversity of consultants to drive the project towards solutions beyond the imagined.

Florian Busch Architectural Design Office is an office that engages in research on architecture, urban planning, society and culture. Based in Tokyo, we have a network of numerous engineers who have decades of experience and trust in the architectural world.

Some of Florian Busch Architects’s most prominent projects include:

  • House in Takadanobaba, Tokyo, Japan
  • House in the Forest, Hokkaido, Japan
  • ‘A’ House in Kisami, Shimoda, Japan
  • L House in Hirafu, Abuta District, Japan
  • House that Opens up to its Inside, Yūkarigaoka, Sakura, Japan

The following statistics helped Florian Busch Architects achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 9
Total Projects 15

15. SUGAWARADAISUKE Architects Inc.

© Takeshi Nakasa (Nacasa & Partners)

© Takeshi Nakasa (Nacasa & Partners)

SUGAWARADAISUKE is an architecture and art-direction office valued internationally, working on different areas like urban design, landscape, architecture, interior, graphic design and branding. Our target is to make our world beautiful and colorful by integrating different scales and elements. The cross-cutting creativity is based on global viewpoints and architectural background.

Some of SUGAWARADAISUKE Architects Inc.’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped SUGAWARADAISUKE Architects Inc. achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Finalist 2
Featured Projects 8
Total Projects 17

14. FORM / Kouichi Kimura Architects

© Keikichi Yamauchi Architect and Associates

© Keikichi Yamauchi Architect and Associates

Established in 1991 by Kouichi Kimura, FORM mission is to create spaces where quiet time flows. Working primarily with residential design, the firm’s architecture has been characterized as poetic, with great attention to form, shadow and light.

Some of FORM / Kouichi Kimura Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped FORM / Kouichi Kimura Architects achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 10
Total Projects 8

13. Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS

© Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS

© Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS

Our aim is to find the simplest and the most innovative space composition, construction method or other architectural technique that does tackle the different problems and give a coherent, clever, logical solution. In order to do so, we will investigate and analyze the customer’s requirements, observe the urban context, understand the social interactions, acknowledge local history, culture, regulations and natural environment, study building materials and techniques.

Some of Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 2
A+Awards Finalist 2
Featured Projects 7
Total Projects 24

12. Kiriko design office

© Kiriko design office

© Kiriko design office

Kiriko Design Office was established four decades ago in Kochi Prefecture being surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the mountains. The firm often works with local materials and designs all types of structures — nursery schools, clinics, apartment complexes, villas, shops and buildings.

Some of Kiriko design office’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Kiriko design office achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 10
Total Projects 13

11. yoshihiro yamamoto architects atelier | yyaa

YYAA is an architect office based on Nara / Osaka , Japan. Founded by Yoshihiro Yamamoto, the firm approaches their work as “designers” rather than “architects” and celebrate the individuality of each plan.

Some of yoshihiro yamamoto architects atelier | yyaa’s most prominent projects include:

  • House for Aya, Osaka, Japan
  • Fukinagashi Flat, Osaka, Japan
  • Cafe Franz Kafka, Nara, Japan
  • Okayama Building, Osaka, Japan
  • Crossroad House, Sakai, Japan

The following statistics helped yoshihiro yamamoto architects atelier | yyaa achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 10
Total Projects 23

10. Apollo Architects and Associates

photo: Masao Nishikawa - © Apollo Architects and Associates

photo: Masao Nishikawa – © Apollo Architects and Associates

The name “Apollo” originates from Apollon, god of sun and light in Greco-Roman mythology. The firm was named in 2000 with the hope of pursuing architecture composed of the simple materials of “light” and “shadow”, while also aiming to become a luminous presence within the city and society.

Architecture needs to be safe and functional, but it also needs to go beyond that. What we aim to do in addition to those basic requirements is to induce a rich spirituality within the space. Daily life, which is composed of the accumulation of simple and trivial events, requires an enduring continuity.

Some of Apollo Architects and Associates’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Apollo Architects and Associates achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 11
Total Projects 12

9. ALTS DESIGN OFFICE

‘It searches for always new universality and it is begun to make’various and special something – this is our work .If an architect’s office is requested, many people think that a threshold is high and high-cost and becomes a house in which it is hard to live by design serious consideration. However, such a thing never cannot be found. We search for always new universality, conversing with the chief mourner, and beginning to make various and rich space by using a simple and intelligible method. We are able to create that recast the gaze at fundamental views, reconstructing them from a different angle — a richer and newer space.

Some of ALTS DESIGN OFFICE’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped ALTS DESIGN OFFICE achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 12
Total Projects 52

8. Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office)

© Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office)

© Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office)

Cofounded by Hidemasa Yoshimoto and Masahiro Miyake, y+M design office is a Japanese architectural practice that attaches big importance to the idea of connections. Pondering connection between environments and humans, the firm seeks to find the most appropriate design solutions for its clients.

Some of Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office)’s most prominent projects include:

  • béret, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
  • Floating-roof house, Kobe, Japan
  • House of a Backstage, Tokushima, Japan
  • Slide House, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
  • Shawl House, Ehime Prefecture, Japan

The following statistics helped Masahiro Miyake (y+M design office) achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 14
Total Projects 23

7. emmanuelle moureaux

© Daisuke Shima

© Daisuke Shima

Born in 1971, France. Emmanuelle Moureaux is a French architect living in Tokyo since 1996, where she established “emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design” in 2003. Inspired by the layers and colors of Tokyo that built a complex depth and density on the street, and the Japanese traditional spatial elements like sliding screens, she has created the concept of “shikiri”, which literally means “dividing (creating) space with colors.” She uses colors as three-dimensional elements, like layers, in order to create spaces, not as a finishing touch applied on surfaces.

Some of emmanuelle moureaux INC.’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped emmanuelle moureaux INC. achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 2
A+Awards Finalist 2
Featured Projects 14
Total Projects 23

6. Schemata Architects / Jo Nagasaka

© Kenya Chiba

© Kenya Chiba

Jo Nagasaka established Schemata Architects right after graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts in 1998. Currently he is based out of Kitasando,Tokyo. Jo has extensive experience in a wide range of expertise from furniture to architecture. His design approach is always based on 1:1 scale, regardless of what size he deals with. He works extensively in Japan and around the world, while expanding his design activity in various fields.

Some of Schemata Architects / Jo Nagasaka’s most prominent projects include:

  • ºC (Do-C) Ebisu, Tokyo, Japan
  • Takeo Kikuchi Store in Shibuya, Jingumae, Shibuya, Japan
  • WORLD BASICS Pop-Up Store @merci, Paris, France
  • Takahashi Hiroko Oshiage Studio, Narihira, Sumida-ku, Japan
  • House in Hatogaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan

The following statistics helped Schemata Architects / Jo Nagasaka achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 14
Total Projects 20

5. Takeru Shoji Architects

© Takeru Shoji Architects.Co.,Ltd.

© Takeru Shoji Architects.Co.,Ltd.

Our desire is not just to create a living space to solve the changing needs of a house, commercial area, or public spaces, but to also create a living environment that makes those in it by the sole fact of being in it, and those who see it, happy. I want not only those owning and residing in the building, but those living by or just passing by it to feel moved and feel the unique characteristic of the building. It is more important to me to create an “open” environment with my designs than the actual building themselves. My meaning of the word “open” is a place that is well suited for people, and allows them, as human beings, a comfortable place and time to just be.

Some of Takeru Shoji Architects.Co.,Ltd.’s most prominent projects include:

  • Hara House, Nagaoka, Japan
  • YNS, Nishi Ward, Niigata, Japan
  • Wow! Sta., Niigata, Japan
  • sa house, Japan
  • Shiro house, Narayama, Akita, Japan

The following statistics helped Takeru Shoji Architects.Co.,Ltd. achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 2
Featured Projects 19
Total Projects 17

4. Fujiwaramuro Architects

© Fujiwaramuro Architects

© Fujiwaramuro Architects

Fujiwara Muro Architects was established in 2022 by Shintaro Fujiwara and Yoshio Muroi in Osaka, Japan. The firm focuses on designing compact residences with great views.

Some of Fujiwaramuro Architects’s most prominent projects include:

  • House in Mukainada, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
  • House in Minami-Tanabe, Osaka, Japan
  • House in Muko, Muko, Japan
  • Tiny House in Kobe, Kobe, Japan
  • House in Sekiya, Nara, Japan

The following statistics helped Fujiwaramuro Architects achieve 4th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

Featured Projects 19
Total Projects 38

3. NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD

© Eiichi Kano

© Eiichi Kano

At Nikken Sekkei, we take an integrated approach to our projects as a professional service firm. Across all in-house disciplines of architectural design: urban design, research, planning and consulting — our teams work collaboratively to deliver better solutions for clients.

Some of NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD’s most prominent projects include:

  • Showa Gakuin Elementary School West Wing, Ichikawa, Japan
  • JR Kumamoto Railway Station Building, Kumamoto, Japan
  • Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan
  • On the water, Nikko, Japan
  • Yamato Konan Building, Tokyo, Japan
  • Top image: Daiwa Ubiquitous Computing Research Building, Tokyo, Japan

The following statistics helped NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 3
A+Awards Finalist 9
Featured Projects 22
Total Projects 35

2. HIBINOSEKKEI+Youji no Shiro

© HIBINOSEKKEI+Youji no Shiro

© HIBINOSEKKEI+Youji no Shiro

Main services of ‘Youji no Shiro’ are designs and surveillances of buildings, renovation and interiors of preschools. We also provide branding consultation services for preschools. ‘Youji no Shiro’, which means ‘The Castle for Children’ in Japanese, is the name of a section of Hibino Sekkei Architecure, based in Kanagawa, Japan.

The company was founded in 1972 and had launched the section that specializes in the design of spaces for children in 1991, reflecting the rapidly altering social situation. By that time, the declining birth rate had become a serious issue in Japan. With fewer children continuing to develop, we became to think that existing preschool architecture where classrooms of same sizes and shapes were lined up weren’t just right.

Some of HIBINOSEKKEI+Youji no Shiro’s most prominent projects include:

  • SH Kindergarten and Nursery, Toyama, Japan
  • Hanazono Kindergarten and Nursery, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
  • KB Primary and Secondary School, Sasebo, Japan
  • KM Kindergarten and Nursery, Izumi, Japan
  • ST Nursery, Saitama Prefecture, Japan

The following statistics helped HIBINOSEKKEI+Youji no Shiro achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 4
A+Awards Finalist 6
Featured Projects 25
Total Projects 55

1. Kengo Kuma and Associates

© Kengo Kuma and Associates

© Kengo Kuma and Associates

Kengo Kuma was born in 1954. He established Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990. He is currently a University Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo after teaching at Keio University and the University of Tokyo. KKAA projects are currently underway in more than 40 countries. Kengo Kuma proposes architecture that opens up new relationships between nature, technology, and human beings. His major publications include Zen Shigoto(Kengo Kuma — the complete works, Daiwa Shobo), Ten Sen Men (“point, line, plane”, Iwanami Shoten), Makeru Kenchiku (Architecture of Defeat, Iwanami Shoten), Shizen na Kenchiku (Natural Architecture, Iwanami Shinsho), Chii-sana Kenchiku (Small Architecture, Iwanami Shinsho) and many others.

Some of Kengo Kuma and Associates’s most prominent projects include:

  • Teahouse in Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Canada
  • Botanical Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
  • V&A Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
  • Darling Square, Sydney, Australia
  • Towada , Towada, Japan
  • Top image: Daiwa Ubiquitous Computing Research Building, Tokyo, Japan

The following statistics helped Kengo Kuma and Associates achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Japan:

A+Awards Winner 5
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 43
Total Projects 45

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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.

Reference