Architecture Archives

Ductus coats blocky apartment complex with red plaster in Switzerland

Architecture studio Ductus has designed an apartment complex coated with a monochrome red plaster facade into a sloping site in Schwarzenburg, Switzerland.

Located on the outskirts of the village of Schwarzenburg in eastern Switzerland, the complex was designed by Ductus to have the appearance of a series of intersecting blocks of various heights that protrude and recede throughout the design.

Ductus design apartment complex in Switzerland — The red plaster-covered block was has a blocky appearance

Accommodating 16 apartments, the complex comprises two buildings sat perpendicular to one another that are connected by a shared garden.

Balconies constructed from pressure-impregnated white fir and green columns contrast with the red plaster facade and overlook the garden and neighbouring buildings.

Apartment complex coated in red plaster by Ductus — Adjoining balconies are constructed from pressure-impregnated white fir, which contrast with the red facade

Flat roofs lined with untreated copper top the apartment complex, which distinguishing it from the surrounding more traditional pitched-roof buildings.

On the exterior, untreated copper was also used for downpipes, while red-toned window frames and mechanical shutters match the plaster’s colour.

Within the apartments, textured white walls were set off by wooden flooring, while stylish bathrooms were characterised by red-toned fittings and decorative tiles to match the facade.

Bright living spaces are lit by floor-to-ceiling doors that also provide access to the adjacent balconies.

Apartment interior in Schwarzenburg, Switzerland — The complex contains 16 apartments split across two buildings

“All 17 apartments were designed as condominiums,” Ductus partner Marcel Hauert told Dezeen.

“The client’s desire was for all buyers to determine the interior finishes themselves. We provided a basic concept that could be adapted virtually without restrictions.”

Interior view of Swiss apartment complex — Red-toned fittings and tiles feature in the bathroom

Ductus is an architecture studio operating between Sweden and Switzerland.

Elsewhere in Switzerland, BE Architektur recently used intersecting sculptural blocks to form a barn-like house and Enrico Sassi has transformed a wood store into a micro home.

The photography is by Rasmus Norlander.

Reference

Interior Design

Dezeen’s top 10 staircases of 2023

By Zarkon Group,05/12/2023

Continuing our 2023 review, we have selected 10 striking staircases published on Dezeen this year, from prefabricated plywood steps at a Cornish home to a colourful set for an opera in a Swiss theatre.

Architects and designers have continued to find clever solutions to travelling on foot from one storey to another in 2023 by creating staircases that are both beautiful and functional.

Ranging from the spectacular to the space-saving, here are Dezeen’s top 10 staircases of 2023:

Ribbon House, India, by Studio Ardete

An angular balustrade with tilting black rails twists around sweeping concrete steps to form the staircase at Ribbon House, a home in Punjab with an equally sculptural exterior.

Architecture office Studio Ardete placed open living spaces next to the staircase on each floor to create lobby-like communal areas on the house’s different levels.

Find out more about Ribbon House ›

House by the Sea in Cornwall — Photo by Lorenzo Zandri

House by the Sea, UK, by Of Architecture

House by the Sea is the home of a surfer-and-artist couple in Newquay, Cornwall, that was designed to be “simple, robust and utilitarian”.

For the interior, London studio Of Architecture inserted prefabricated plywood steps leading to a cosy mezzanine level tucked beneath the dwelling’s sloping roof.

Find out more about House by the Sea ›

HAUS 1 by MVRDV — Photo by Schnepp Renou

Haus 1, Germany, by MVRDV and Hirschmüller Schindele Architekten

A bright yellow, zigzagging staircase juts out from the facade of the Haus 1 building in Berlin, creating the appearance of a striking crane and providing a beacon for approaching visitors.

Dutch studio MVRDV worked with local studio Hirschmüller Schindele Architekten to design Haus 1, which forms part of the city’s Atelier Gardens redevelopment.

Find out more about Haus 1 ›

Staircase at Luna House — Photo by Pezo von Ellrichshausen

Luna House, Chile, by Mauricio Pezo and Sofia von Ellrichshausen

Brutalist-style spiral staircases connect the storeys of Luna House, an expansive geometric complex in Chile comprised of 12 individual buildings.

Chilean studio Pezo von Ellrichshausen designed the stairs and the majority of the structure in reinforced concrete, which is highly textured thanks to imprints left behind by wooden formwork.

Find out more about Luna House ›

Pierre Yovanovitch staircase set design Basel opera — Photo by Paolo Abate.

Rigoletto set design, Switzerland, by Pierre Yovanovitch

French interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch embedded moving, curved walls within an undulating staircase that stretched the full width of the stage for a production of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Rigoletto at Theatre Basel.

Bathed in coloured light, the flexible walls created a neutral set for the performers to balance the play’s complex plot, according to the designer.

Find out more about this staircase ›

Staircase inside Hairpin House by Figure and Studio J Jih — Photo by James Leng (also top)

Hairpin House, USA, by Studio J Jih and Figure

This Boston house was renovated to revolve around a sculptural “hairpin” staircase informed by the twists and turns of mountain roads.

Designed by American firms Studio J Jih and Figure, the white oak stairs were created to increase the home’s useable floor area by 20 per cent.

Find out more about Hairpin House ›

Trapezoidal concrete and glass house — Photo by Alex Shoots Buildings

House in Pernek, Slovakia, by Ksa Studený

This home in the village of Pernek, Slovakia, was designed in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, mirroring its longitudinal profile.

Architecture studio Ksa Studený positioned a chunky white staircase over a slanted slab of concrete to divide the interior space.

Find out more about this house ›

The Arbor House in Scotland — Photo by Jim Stephenson

The Arbor House, Scotland, by Brown & Brown

A spiral staircase made from birch plywood winds into the dining area at The Arbor House by Brown & Brown, located in a conservation area in Aberdeen.

The studio assembled the stairs over three weeks, with timber treads individually cut and hand-layered to form a smooth curve.

Find out more about The Arbor House ›

Apartment by FADD Studio — Photo by Gokul Rao Kadam

SNN Clermont residential tower, India, by FADD Studio

Indian practice FADD Studio renovated two apartments within the SNN Clermont residential tower in Bangalore to create a fused multi-generational home.

The studio took cues from the curves of caterpillars when creating a swooping staircase, which connects the two flats and features deep red marble risers.

Find out more about these apartments ›

Keiji Ashizawa-designed Conran Shop — Photo courtesy of The Conran Shop

The Conran Shop, Japan, by Keiji Ashizawa

Japanese designer Keiji Ashizawa created interiors for The Conran Shop in Tokyo to reflect the inside of someone’s home.

The store’s mezzanine floor is accessible by a minimalist geometric staircase featuring a handrail made from black paper cords.

Find out more about The Conran Shop ›

Reference

Architecture

25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai

By Zarkon Group,05/12/2023

From its origins as a humble fishing village to its transformation into a global economic powerhouse, the architectural landscape of Shanghai mirrors the city’s rapid evolution and cutting-edge innovation. Historical neighborhoods such as the iconic Yu Garden, the legendary ‘Bund’ waterfront and the French Concession are some of the most architecturally rich areas in the city, as well as testaments of the diverse cultures that have shaped its urban fabric. In the last decade, Shanghai has attracted the works of famous western architects such as Zaha Hadid’s Sky SOHO airport as well as the Shanghai Cultural Arts Centre with its intricate façade design, completed by Foster and Partners and Heatherwick Studio in 2017.

Albeit a rather futuristic city, Shanghai’s latest architectural efforts include preserving many historical structures. One example is the M50 Creative Park’s adaptive reuse, an old industrial area transformed into a contemporary art district and a popular local attraction. In addition, as a city with one foot constantly set on the future, Shanghai showcases a forward-thinking approach to urban living. By employing ‘smart city’ technology and integrating sustainable design methods into their practices, Shanghai architects stretch the profession into new realms of invention.

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 Shanghai 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 2023)
The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2023)

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 Shanghai architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 25 best architecture firms in Shanghai:

25. HDD

Shanghai HuaDu Architecture & Urban Design (HDD) is a comprehensive design company with first-rate architecture and engineering qualification issued by State Construction Ministry. HDD has three affiliated institutions, including Shanghai Huadu Construction and Engineering Project Management, Shanghai Chengdao Real Estate, and Urban China Magazine. These institutions could provide all-inclusive consulting services to clients. HDD endeavors to explore and practice a long-life and sustainable development mode which is industry leading in China and integrates all fields of construction and development.

Some of HDD’s most prominent projects include:

Mulan Weichang Vistor Centre, Hebei, China
“Su Shanghai” community art museum, Shanghai, China
APEC summit hotel Beijing Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, Beijing, China
Vertical garden _ Chinese Garden meets ultra compact apartment, Shanghai, China
TRANSFORMABLE SMART HOME/Zhang Hai’ao , Beijing, China

The following statistics helped HDD achieve 25th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	6

24. Supercloud Studio

Supercloud studio is a Shanghai based multi-disciplinary design firm established in 2010 which commits to design excellence, using design as a medium to connect people to each other and to the environment. Supercloud sets out to bring better social interaction to public life. This is why we also span our practice with artists and graphic designers, to enhance the adaptability of our work to the local context, its social life and end users.

Some of Supercloud Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Supercloud Studio achieve 24th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	5
Total Projects	4

23. ZZYYstudio

ZZYY Studio is an international young design team full of vigor and creativity, currently chaired by Yao Yuan and Liu Yuze. The outside world is unknown. We believe that the most attractive state of design is to create unknown possibilities in the known environment, and stimulate the imagination and business of each space. By responding to the unknown possibility of the site, jumping out of the already known design of the site, creating an unexpected space-time experience in the situation. At the same time, the Institute always examines contemporary and future architectural issues from an open perspective.

Some of ZZYYstudio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped ZZYYstudio achieve 23rd place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	3
Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	2

22. Shanghai United Design Group

© Shanghai United Design Group Co., Ltd.

United Design Group or UDG is a comprehensive service design company with A-grade architectural design certification, A-grade urban planning certification and B-grade landscape design certification thus, providing reliable and quality services in completing projects in China. UDG is registered in Shanghai, setting up branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, Qingdao, Chongqing, Wuhan, Ningbo, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Xinjiang, Hangzhou, Hefei.

There are now well over 3,000 professionals working in UDG, including experienced architects, engineers, planners, landscape architects, interior designers and construction management experts from well-known design companies both at home and abroad.

Some of Shanghai United Design Group Co., Ltd.’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Shanghai United Design Group Co., Ltd. achieve 22nd place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	3
Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	3

21. Atelier Diameter

Atelier Diameter was founded in Shanghai as a part of Zhongsen Architectural & Engineering Designing Consultants (ZSA). We are a group of architects specializing in cultural projects of various scales and programs.

Some of Atelier Diameter’s most prominent projects include:

Art Gallery Extension of Nanjing University of the Arts, Nanjing, China
Mudu Library, Shanghai, China
Micro-Renovation of East China Formal University No.1 Village, Shanghai, China
Readers’ House, Beijing, China
Reconstruction and Expansion of Gu Zhenghong Memorial Hall, Shanghai, China

The following statistics helped Atelier Diameter achieve 21st place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	8

20. RooMoo Design Studio

RooMoo is an interior design studio founded in Shanghai by Tao Zhang, Ray Zhang, and Marine Bois. The three come from different backgrounds: landscape, architecture and interior. Combining their strength allows them to realize big-scale and smaller-scale projects such as hotels, commercials and restaurants.

Regardless of the range of scales projects, their central ethos makes each project unique. For each project, they focus on bringing a singular response to the need and aims of all their clients. To do that, RooMoo systematically does some research and investigation for every project. They execute this research with a humble approach and study the ordinary to create the outstanding.

Some of RooMoo Design Studio’s most prominent projects include:

B3, Shenzhen, China
Le coq wine & bistro in URBN hotel, Shanghai, China
Forté, Shanghai, China
Le petit chateau, Shanghai, China
Halation Bistro & Lounge, Shanghai, China

The following statistics helped RooMoo Design Studio achieve 20th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	13

19. ATAH

Founded in 2013 in Los Angeles/Shanghai, Studio ATAH is an architectural design firm featured by exploring design with contemporary thoughts. The partners of Studio ATAH received complete architecture professional education domestic and abroad, and have been in practice for years in known international architectural firms. Team includes architects, interior designers and technology specialist. ATAH’s project type includes commercial, office, culture, as well as renovation, interior and residential. Through continuous design practice, our work is being built and put into use. In Navajo Indian language, A-Tah means involving.

Some of ATAH’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped ATAH achieve 19th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	7

18. Shanghai Dushe Architectural Design DSD

SH-DSD was founded in 2004. DSD focuses on boutique design and controls the amount of annual projects trying to make every piece of work unique and at high level. Oriented by its culture ‘Customized Design’, DSD is capable of integrating the experience of large firm and the creativity of small offices. DSD aims to become the best life design expert in China and to produce acclaimed pieces of work in the field of hotel, culture architecture, complex building and top rank residences. All the projects designed by DSD are original.

Some of Shanghai Dushe Architectural Design DSD’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Shanghai Dushe Architectural Design DSD achieve 18th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

Featured Projects	6
Total Projects	19

17. RoarcRenew

Roarc Renew is an architectural atelier specializes in urban space renovation. The atelier focuses on urban renewal, space reengineering, remodeling of old districts, trying to create a sustainable urban space, while following the concept of revolutionary design and the history of architecture. Its members and consultants come from Shanghai, Israel and New York. The current design projects include urban renewal, architectural design, interior design, product design and other categories, distributed among Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Jakarta and other cities.

Using working space and residential space as the starting point, the atelier intends to explore the possibilities of the lifestyles in the Internet Age, which falicitates co- working project as one of the major ways to carry out architectural practice.

Some of RoarcRenew’s most prominent projects include:

TaoCang Art Center, Zhejiang, China
Carlowitz&CO., Shanghai, China
Joy City · Parkside · Herstory Art Zone, Shanghai, China
Mixpace · Mandela, Shanghai, China
Taioursee Laomendong SPA Shop, Nanjing, China

The following statistics helped RoarcRenew achieve 17th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	4
Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	11

16. COORDINATION ASIA

COORDINATION ASIA is an award winning agency for design and architecture, specializing in creating high impact environments in museum, exhibition, retail and hospitality design. We are driven by the quest for fresh ideas and extra-ordinary design solutions. Like a concept laboratory, we bridge creative energy and professional realization.From cultural to commercial projects, at COORDINATION ASIA we believe that content precedes aesthetics and that great design is more than simply styling. Our clients like us for our content-driven approach, as well as for our dedicated and reliable way of working. From understanding the needs of the client to drafting ideas and final realization, we make sure every step of the process is met with the highest of standards.

Some of COORDINATION ASIA’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped COORDINATION ASIA achieve 16th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	5
Total Projects	12

15. Atelier Ping Jiang | EID Arch

Atelier Ping Jiang | EID Arch is a leading international practice for architecture and urbanism. Led by Founding Principal Ping Jiang, FAIA, who established the Shanghai-based practice in 2015, the firm strives to provide environmentally sensitive and innovative design solutions for architecture and urban environment. The practice is founded on the belief that architecture should concern itself with the environment, and is deeply committed to design excellence, innovation and sustainability.

The firm has extensive experience in a wide range of building types, including large scale mixed-use developments, office/corporate, retail, hospitality, cultural/civic, institutional and residential uses. Atelier Ping Jiang’s work has been awarded numerous international awards.

Some of Atelier Ping Jiang | EID Arch’s most prominent projects include:

LAND Community Center, Xi’an, China
Minsheng Wharf Block E15-3, Shanghai, China
The Panda Pavilions, Chengdu, China
MicroNature, Shanghai, China
Shimao Riverside Block D2b, Wuhan, China

The following statistics helped Atelier Ping Jiang | EID Arch achieve 15th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	6
Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	7

14. TEAM_BLDG

TEAM_BLDG was founded in 2012, they work with architecture, interior, landscape and product. The two founders of the studio consider that the word “BLDG” is a verb than the meaning of architecture, which should be the processing of constructing, and the finished design is just a start of architects’ work. Relative to any concept or style, they are more focusing on the “atmosphere” of building and space, interior and exterior for people.

Some of TEAM_BLDG’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped TEAM_BLDG achieve 14th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	14

13. dongqi Design

Founded in 2014, dongqi Design has an international outlook, and its core team is assembled from outstanding designers who have studied and practised around the world including Europe, Singapore and the United States. dongqi has accumulated practical experiences with integration of leading-edge intelligent capabilities, for example KUKA robot and 3D sand printing.

In 2017, dongqi established its creative arm to close the gap between spatial and brand experiences and allow explorations in a holistic manner combining different disciplines. The practice also maintains collaborative partnerships with practitioners in the areas of art, fashion, science and technology – exploring opportunities for cross-discipline creation. dongqi work has also been widely published.

Some of dongqi Design’s most prominent projects include:

GAGA TOAST, Shenzhen, China
XC273 by XCOMMONS, Shanghai, China
Le Poulet Restaurant & Bar, Shenzhen, China
Freshigh, Shanghai, China
Hauser & Wirth Pop-up Bookshop, Shanghai, China

The following statistics helped dongqi Design achieve 13th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	4
Featured Projects	5
Total Projects	11

12. LINEHOUSE

© Jonathan Leijonhufvud Architectural Photography

Linehouse is an architecture and interior design practice established in 2013 by Alex Mok (Chinese-Swedish) and Briar Hickling (from New Zealand). Both have completed extensive work in Asia, Pacific and abroad. Linehouse operates as a platform to investigate the rituals of inhabitation and how these daily moments can be celebrated through design, transforming the mundane into performative acts.

Linehouse is a collaboration of like-minded individuals from various backgrounds and cultures. The practice has international experience in design and construction, from the small scale and the intricate, to the grand and public. The studio works on projects of varying scales and typologies that allow explorations of both the poetic idea and pragmatic solution.

Some of LINEHOUSE’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped LINEHOUSE achieve 12th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	14

11. LLLab.

LLLab. is a design studio based in Shanghai, Stuttgart and Porto operating within the fields of architecture, design, art, urbanism, research and development. The studio is led by four partners Hanxiao Liu, Luís Ricardo, David Correa and Taichi Kuma. Their work focuses on using design as a tool to improve social and cultural life through various scales, from urban projects to micro-architecture or installations.

The principals are driven by an experimental and playful approach that leads to conceptually rigorous and well-executed design projects. Creating distinctive solutions adapted to a context and its users, LLLab produces site-specific design installations and building projects that both provoke and inspire. LLLab. founders Hanxiao Liu, Luís Ricardo and David Correa started their own practice after meeting at the German office haascookzemmrich STUDIO 2050 and the Institute of Computational Design, where they collaborated on various international projects in both practical and academic fields.

Some of LLLab.’s most prominent projects include:

Bamboo Bamboo, Canopy and Pavilions,Impression SanjieLiu, Yangshuo County, Guilin, China
San Sa Village, Beijing, China
Brickyard Retreat Renovation, Beijing, China
Bamboo Bamboo, Canopy and Pavilions, Impression Sanjie Liu, Guilin, China
LEO Office Shanghai, Shanghai, China

The following statistics helped LLLab. achieve 11th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	9

10. Kris Lin International Design

KLID, an international architectural design firm from Taipei, has been in Shanghai for twenty years, and has been serving top 100 real estate developers for a long time. Its business covers sales offices, clubs, art galleries, hotels, luxury villas and flat apartments, offices, public and commercial spaces.

As one of the few design institutes in China which can provide four-in-one integrated design services including architectural design, interior design, renovation design and construction, landscape design, KLID has been adhering to the design concept of “Innovation from Observation” and has strong pursuit for the design works display effect, KLID has always maintained a full-integrated design solution.

Some of Kris Lin International Design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Kris Lin International Design achieve 10th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	5
Featured Projects	7
Total Projects	13

9. OfficeOffCourse

Founded in 2012, OfficeOffCourse is currently based in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Boston. The core design team covers urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and other professions, who previously had professional experience in many world-renowned architecture offices and institutes in the US, Netherland, Japan, Mexico and España and participated in various types of project, with extensive background and practical experience.

The office is engaged in variety of projects in China, Japan, US and Australia, including museum, private residence, office building, urban planning, historical building renovation, school and etc. Collaborating with Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the China Academy of Art as academic platforms, OfficeOffCourse explores and extends the core value of architecture in both globalization and localization.

Some of OfficeOffCourse’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped OfficeOffCourse achieve 9th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	6
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	5
Total Projects	3

8. Atelier tao+c

Co-founded by Tao Liu and Chunyan Cai in 2016, the design works of Atelier tao+c ranging from a piece of pendant lamp to a compound development, from the interior of small urban apartments to the renovation of old rural houses, from shops on the street to a youth community.

Some of Atelier tao+c’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Atelier tao+c achieve 8th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	3
A+Awards Finalist	3
Featured Projects	8
Total Projects	10

7. Challenge Design

The aim of Challenge Design (Class A architectural design office) has been to provide “refined design and professional service” since its foundation. The company has undertaken projects ranging from “commercial complex,” “resort,” “luxury condo,” “boutique hotel,” “museums,” and “public architectures, winning dozens of awards and unanimous high appraisal. With growing experience in various fields including architecture design, urban planning, interior design, wooden structure design and commercial operation, the company has developed the capability to control whole life cycle of the projects.

Since foundation, Challenge Design has been working to find a way for realization of harmonious co-existence between architecture, human being and the nature, hoping to find a possible way for bring renewed sense experience and creating new thoughts & spatial forms through creative thinking.

Some of Challenge Design’s most prominent projects include:

Yuanlu Community Center, Chongqing, China
YULIN Artistic Center, Chongqing, China
Park Legend Kindergarten, Chengdu, China
Cloud Art Museum , Guizhou, China
Langtin Yuanzhu Experience Hall, Wuhan, China

The following statistics helped Challenge Design achieve 7th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

Featured Projects	14
Total Projects	14

6. X+LIVING

X+LIVING, established in 2011 by Chinese architect Li Xiang, is an international architectural design company involved in multifield projects including retail, office, hospitality, parent-child, malls, etc. As an award-winning company, X+LIVING has always been noted by professional institutions and medias worldwide for its escher-like visuality and immersive spatial experiences.

Owing to the founder Li Xiang’s academic background of architecture, each of X+LIVING’s design works adopts boundary-crossing thinking and unique formal strategy to create theatrical dreamy spaces with story-telling charms that engage the senses and provide fun. X+LIVING takes “design creates value” as the motto and insists on achieving the highest quality of design works from conceptual design to final completion.

Some of X+LIVING’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped X+LIVING achieve 6th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	3
Featured Projects	12
Total Projects	46

5. Lukstudio

LUKSTUDIO is a boutique design practice based in Shanghai, China. Founded by Christina Luk in 2011, the studio is comprised of an international team with diverse backgrounds and cultural perspectives. With a common desire to challenge the status quo of the environment, the team finds joy in creating meaningful design solutions for others. Lukstudio’s strength lies in an ‘everything is possible’ attitude that is influenced by the surrounding context of Shanghai; a fast-paced city where East meets West and tradition is integrated with innovation.

Each project tells its own story, and Lukstudio is proud to identify a narrative, preserving it from concept through to completion to deliver memorable spatial experiences that delight and surprise. We collaborate closely with clients and contractors to deliver artistic solutions within a commercial scope.

Some of Lukstudio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Lukstudio achieve 5th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	4
Featured Projects	14
Total Projects	32

4. AIM Architecture

AIM is a collective of passionate, international individuals. Founded by Belgian and Dutch architects Wendy Saunders and Vincent de Graaf in 2005, AIM brings together architecture with interior and product design to create wholly integrated products and ideas. Headquartered in Shanghai and with an oﬃce in Europe, AIM is a global studio with local feeling.

Our approach is deliberate and focused. Each project is approached individually. We pair context to concept and explore the ﬁne line between vision and practicality. The result are unique spaces with a powerful narrative. Bold, playful, and gritty. Well-built projects with reﬁned details. A built-in love of materials, and passion for place and purpose.

Some of AIM Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

Fushengyu Hotspring resort, Sichuan, China
SOHO Fuxing Plaza- Shopping Mall, Shanghai, China
Jiaxing Island, Jiaxing, China
Aluminum Lobby in SOHO Fuxing Plaza, Shanghai, China
Glass Office in SOHO Fuxing Plaza, Shanghai, China

The following statistics helped AIM Architecture achieve 4th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Finalist	3
Featured Projects	17
Total Projects	32

3. KOKAISTUDIOS

Kokaistudios is an award winning multi-disciplinary design firm founded in 2000 in Venice by Italian architects Filippo Gabbiani and Andrea Destefanis. Founded with the dream to create a collaborative office of young and talented architects devoted to researching and formulating the design solutions to the demands of tomorrow and capable of working on a worldwide basis; the firm has grown after 10 years into a team of 25 people headquartered in Shanghai, P.R.C.Kokaistudios has completed over 120 projects in the last 7 years in all fields of design, and we have received numerous awards.

Some of KOKAISTUDIOS’s most prominent projects include:

Top image: Baoshan WTE Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Suhe MixC World, Shanghai, China
Bund Financial Center South Mall Interior Design, Shanghai, China
Beijing CR Land Galleria Shopping Center – Instreet Renovation, Beijing, China
House of the Tree, Shenzhen, China

The following statistics helped KOKAISTUDIOS achieve 3rd place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	18
Total Projects	45

2. Lacime Architect

Lacime Architect is an architecture firm based in Shanghai. The firm’s projects are mostly centered around cultural and commercial architecture.

Some of Lacime Architect’s most prominent projects include:

Vanke Emerald Park, Chongqing, China
One City Development, Hubei, China
Liva Riverside Book Bar Reconstruction of East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
Waterfront Art Gallery, Nanchang, China
Financial City Community Center, Suzhou, China

The following statistics helped Lacime Architect achieve 2nd place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	3
A+Awards Finalist	8
Featured Projects	22
Total Projects	27

1. Neri & Hu

“We don’t ask to be eternal beings, we only ask that things do not lose all their meaning.”
– Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Founded in 2004 by partners Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, NHDRO (Neri&Hu Design and Research Office) is a multi-disciplinary architectural design practice based in Shanghai, china. NHDRO works internationally providing architecture, interior, master planning, graphic and product design services. Currently working on projects in seven countries, NHDRO is composed of multi-cultural staff who speak over 20 different languages. The diversity of the team reinforces a core vision for the practice: to respond to a global worldview incorporating overlapping design disciplines for a new paradigm in architecture. NHDRO’s location is purposeful.

Some of Neri & Hu’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Neri & Hu achieve 1st place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Shanghai:

A+Awards Winner	9
A+Awards Finalist	8
Featured Projects	26
Total Projects	21

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.

Reference

Architecture

7 Best Architecture Firms in Morocco

By Zarkon Group,01/12/2023

Colorful and dreamlike: this is how Morocco’s architecture and built environment could easily be described. Located between the edge of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, Africa’s most “Western” country is fascinating and full of contradictions. Also known as The Kingdom of the Western Place, Morocco has a diverse array of landscapes and rich architecture, thus becoming one of the most famous cultural destinations as well as film sets in the world.

From the signature riads — courtyard houses — located in Marrakesh to the modernist architectural identity of Casablanca to the famous Zellij tilework found across the country, Morocco’s architecture is imbued with many distinct cultural elements. An evocative example is Maison Brummell Majorelle, a “dreamy” new boutique hotel designed by Moroccan-based architect Amine Abouraoui Architects and Spanish architect Bergendy Cooke. The design playfully employs the iconic vernacular shapes of Moroccan architecture, adding, however, a contemporary twist and successfully integrating it into the surrounding context. In its entirety, the country’s unique architecture has been faithfully preserved throughout Morocco’s history, becoming somewhat of an architectural legacy.

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 Morocco based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2023)
The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2023)

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 Morocco architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 7 best architecture firms in Morocco:

7. Estrecho Studio

Based in Tangier and Brussels, this young international firm creates unique and new experiences through architecture. We believe sharing knowledge and experience will make our community stronger. We consider architecture as a key of resilience, growth and development. Our approach is based on research, speculation and experimentation. We seek to provide solutions to contemporary architectural and urban issues.

Some of Estrecho Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Estrecho Studio achieve 7th place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in Morocco:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

6. Gregoire Maisondieu Architecture & Interior Design

Grégoire Maisondieu is a DPLG architect and interior designer. After working for a long time with Philippe Starck, Bruno Borrione and Christophe Pillet, he is now developing his own projects, mainly in France and Morocco.

Some of Gregoire Maisondieu Architecture & Interior Design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Gregoire Maisondieu Architecture & Interior Design achieve 6th place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in Morocco:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

5. Yachar Bouhaya Architecte

Yachar Bouhaya Architecte is an architecture and interior design firm based in Casablanca. The firm was founded by Yachar Bouhaya, a graduate of the Special School of Architecture in Paris, he continued his training in the Parisian agencies Anne Démians and AW2. At the end of 2010, he founded the eponymous architecture agency Yachar Bouhaya Architecte, whose project methodology frees itself from formal language and ready-made, thus revealing the uniqueness of each project.

Some of Yachar Bouhaya Architecte’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Yachar Bouhaya Architecte achieve 5th place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in Morocco:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	3

4. Driss Kettani Architecte

Driss Kettani graduated from the National School of Architecture in Rabat in 2003 and founded the agency Driss Kettani Architect in 2005, after some collaborations and study trips. He has a constant interest in the place, culture and inhabitants as an essential starting component of a reflection, a project. This approach goes hand in hand with an imperative of modernity and contemporaneity, in a constant quest for creativity and meaning.

His work is part of an approach combining architectural rigor and research into the sensitive and poetic dimension of architecture. Architecture being the reading canvas of our time, which it can contribute to raising by offering users a living environment expression of a culture and high aspirations.

Some of Driss Kettani Architecte’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Driss Kettani Architecte achieve 4th place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in Morocco:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	3

3. El Kabbaj – Kettani – Siana – Architects

El Kabbaj – Kettani – Siana – Architects is an architecture firm based in Morocco specializing in educational and mixed-use buildings.

Some of El Kabbaj – Kettani – Siana – Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped El Kabbaj – Kettani – Siana – Architects achieve 3rd place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in Morocco:

Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	3

2. Studio CAYS

Born in 2019, Studio Cays owes its name to the founders of the agency. Twin sisters and associates, CAYS is in fact the anagram of the abbreviations of their respective first names. CAYS is a duality naturally creating a complementarity, a link of interdependence of two phenomena: beauty and ergonomics. Eclecticism is the motto of the agency; each project differs from another. The objective is to learn from each project, we must feed this appetite through the nature of our architectural design.

Some of Studio CAYS’s most prominent projects include:

ZAI House, Casablanca, Morocco
LNKO Office, Casablanca, Morocco
Studio Cays X Studio BO, Casablanca, Morocco
MAYZ House, Rabat, Morocco
Atelier Skin, Casablanca, Morocco

The following statistics helped Studio CAYS achieve 2nd place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in Morocco:

Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	10

1. TARIK ZOUBDI ARCHITECTE

We are an international award-winning architecture studio. Based in Morocco since 2008, during these many years we have worked a lot on various projects such as social housing, health or education… In our opinion, architecture is about poetic and spatial translation of human’s aspirations for a better life. we believe in contextual architecture, whit sense of belonging to a place, like if it has always been a part of it.

We think that architecture must resist to the collective temptation of “Folk Mimicry” and passing fashion by yearning for timelessness. We love the dramatic mood of ruins, witnessing the collective memory, that time roots in space, the grass that grows in the roadway; and the nature taking back gradually its rights.

Some of TARIK ZOUBDI ARCHITECTE’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped TARIK ZOUBDI ARCHITECTE achieve 1st place in the 7 Best Architecture Firms in Morocco:

A+Awards Winner	2
A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	2

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

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

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

Reference

Architecture

20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia

By Zarkon Group,25/11/2023

Nestled within the vibrant landscapes of South America, Colombia holds a rich architectural heritage that reflects its diverse history and innovative attitude. Being a country that is famous for its ancient origins, and which is believed to be the place where the legendary city of El Dorado was located, Colombia’s architectural story is deeply rooted in its pre-Columbian civilizations.

The country’s latest architectural fabric has been greatly shaped by architects like modernist Rogelio Salmona and avant-gardist Giancarlo Mazzanti. Operating in an increasingly open society, Salmona’s Torres del Parque in Bogotá redefines how brick and concrete create spaces that seamlessly blend with the city’s natural landscape and invent new ways of building residential architecture.

Today, Colombian architects continue to push boundaries, embracing sustainability, cutting-edge technology and cultural context in their designs. One remarkable example is the Metrocable system in Medellín, a transportation structure that addresses the difficult topography of the region without spoiling the city’s natural landscape. This infrastructure project generated global recognition for its transformative impact on public spaces and social dynamics and acts as a testament to the forward-thinking vision of contemporary Colombian architecture.

With so many architecture firms, 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 Colombia based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2023)
The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2023)

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 Colombia architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 20 best architecture firms in Colombia:

20. Arango Arquitecto

Arango Arquitecto is an architecture firm based in Bogotá, Colombia. It specializes in residential architecture.

Some of Arango Arquitecto’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Arango Arquitecto achieve 20th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

19. OPUS – Oficina de Proyectos Urbanos

OPUS is a space for conceptualizing creative and sustainable ideas that collects opinions, recognizes locations and analyzes data and other phenomena as the raw materials for our projects. Our work acknowledges diversity, time, multiple variables and encounters of different positions and, therein, apparent opposites such as nature-city, architecture-landscape, urban planning-interior design, are blended, integrated and related.

Since our beginning in 2007, we’ve participated in identifying, formulating and designing architectural, urban design and landscape architecture projects, which have allowed us to build methods and teams with the capacity for integrating different disciplines, aimed at contributing to society, culture and standards of living.

Some of OPUS – Oficina de Proyectos Urbanos’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped OPUS – Oficina de Proyectos Urbanos achieve 19th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

18. Relieve Arquitectura

Architectural studio led by architect Juan Pablo Giraldo with a particular interest in formal and material experimentation through drawing, detail, model and image, in order to design a house, a school, a museum, a park, an interior space, interesting, functional and quality architectural pieces. We understand architecture as a new experiment, an unprecedented situation where the architect mediates between a network of components (time, place, animal, human, artifact, information, processes, etc.) to generate new forms of exchange, social dynamics and urban processes.

Some of Relieve Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Relieve Arquitectura achieve 18th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

17. Ruta4 Arquitectura

Ruta4 Arqitectura is an architectural practice based in Pereira, Colombia. Its main interest lies in cultural architecture and public buildings.

Some of Ruta4 Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Ruta4 Arquitectura achieve 17th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

16. Sergio Reyes Rodríguez Arquitecto

Sergio Reyes Rodríguez Arquitecto is an Architecture studio with experience delivering projects of various scales, from interior design to masterplan urban schemes. The studio is led by Sergio Reyes Rodríguez. The studio focuses on delivering projects with a strong conceptual development through all stages of design, always nurtured by a close dialogue with the client and a rigorous research on the specific character of each context. A special attention is given to the environmental issues that pertain each project and its solutions aided with advanced computational tools.

Some of Sergio Reyes Rodríguez Arquitecto’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Sergio Reyes Rodríguez Arquitecto achieve 16th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

15. TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos

The workshop is an open and collective space, where we seek the encounter, the influence and even the conflict of multiple disciplines that allow an architecture with the capacity to transform life.

Some of TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos achieve 15th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

14. Vicaria Arquitectura

We are driven by the strength to do things right, with high value in design, ethics, commitment to our values, our people and our environment. We dream of a new form of architecture based on the art and challenges of humanity. We are global, avant-garde, versatile, daring and memorable.

Some of Vicaria Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Vicaria Arquitectura achieve 14th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	2

13. Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisaje

DARP. De Arquitectura y Paisaje, is a studio based in Colombia. The work of DARP explores the field between landscape and architecture, seeks to generate in each project a social and cultural development in relationship with territory, looking for a practical, creative and sustainable answers.

Founded in 2012 for MArch Landscape, Jorge Emilio Buitrago and Arch. Jaime Eduardo Cabal Mejía. DARP conform an interdisciplinary team with professionals from different areas which make possible to offer integral answers, guided to the contribution in the society, the culture and the life quality.

Some of Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisaje’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisaje achieve 13th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	3

12. Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS

Simon Velez is a prize winning architect from Colombia, most famous for his innovative use of bamboo as an essential building component. He is the winner of the Principal Prince Claus Award 2009.

Some of Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS achieve 12th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	4

11. La Rotta Arquitectos

La Rotta Arquitectos is an office that considers an essential part of its philosophy a close relationship between buildings and the city as a way to promote greater recognition of institutions in the urban environment. Something that results in a better image and sense of belonging on the part of its users and the general public. It is constant in the production of the office founded by Ricardo La Rotta in 2000 that has not only guaranteed the success of each of the projects that have been carried out there but has allowed these buildings to be today a reference for institutions, their users and cities.

Some of La Rotta Arquitectos’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped La Rotta Arquitectos achieve 11th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	2

10. aRE – Arquitectura en Estudio

We are a professional architecture and design firm based in Colombia. Creating exciting and inspiring spaces is our passion. We have experiences developing architecture and interiors projects both locally and internationally. Our work ranges from large urban interventions to institutional buildings, residential projects, houses and interior design.

Some of aRE – Arquitectura en Estudio’s most prominent projects include:

NAOS Business Campus, Bogotá, Colombia
Casa 3 at Colinas de Payandé, Villeta, Colombia
Casa 7A, Villeta, Colombia
Casa 5, La Calera, Colombia
Colegio El Nogal, Bogotá, Colombia

The following statistics helped aRE – Arquitectura en Estudio achieve 10th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	5

9. taller de arquitectura de bogotá

taller de arquitectura de bogot is an architecture firm located in Bogotá, Colombia. The practice mainly revolves around residential architecture, offices and public buildings.

Some of taller de arquitectura de bogotá’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped taller de arquitectura de bogotá achieve 9th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

8. Velez Valencia Arquitectos

We are a team of architects focused on public solutions that add value to the interests of our clients. We are the mix of global experience with local knowledge.

Some of Velez Valencia Arquitectos’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Velez Valencia Arquitectos achieve 8th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	3

7. DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS

Daniel Bonilla Architecture and Urbanism started formally in1997 even though Daniel Bonilla had practiced architecture in several enterprises internationally. Daniel Bonilla Architecture and Urbanism is a very well known Design Studio, where the three basic areas worked are: urban, architecture and industrial design.

This area variety gives us a wide vision on design in every scale, from urban planning and design, up to the development of delicate industrial pieces. Our rigor, enthusiasm, dedication and passion led to the recognition and goodwill, awards and the status to be on the young Colombian architects´ elite. Also, we’ve developed great team work capability not only among us, but also with other firms nationally and overseas.

Some of DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS’s most prominent projects include:

LOS NOGALES SCHOOL CHAPEL, Bogotá, Colombia
NOGALES CAFETERIA, Bogota, Colombia
LOS NOGALES HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, Bogotá, Colombia
LOS NOGALES SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, Bogotá, Colombia
LOS NOGALES SCHOOL ARTS CENTER, Bogotá, Colombia

The following statistics helped DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS achieve 7th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	5

6. Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos

© TALLER Architects, Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos

We are a team of professionals with 15 years of specific experience in the design of high-quality buildings and institutional spaces, personally led by Juan Pablo Ortiz, professor and researcher at the University of the Andes in Bogota. Juan Pablo Ortiz arquitectos is a studio specialized in the integral development of unique buildings with a great communicative projection.

Our experience based on the research and execution of projects in this field of architecture, has allowed us to understand the commitment that our professional work has in the material and cultural construction of society. We believe that architecture is a service aimed at improving the daily life of the communities with which we work; understanding this service as the will to give additional values to simple construction. We are convinced that an architecture of excellence is built with ideas. In fact, our work stands out for the continuous search for fresh, proactive and innovative operational concepts and ideas, which allow us to project living spaces that are efficient, tiles, durable, responsible in the use of energy, beautiful and significant; all this within a framework of respect for local traditions and the natural landscape in which it is implanted. In addition, our buildings operate with a conscious and rational use of resources, which we understand as sacred. This way of exercising architecture becomes a sustainable construction in its social, economic and environmental facets.

The rigorous technical work, under strict parameters, has resulted in public buildings of recognized quality, awarded and published in numerous national and international specialized magazines and books. We have won 15 awards in public project competitions. Our buildings have received distinctions such as the national L piz de Acero award, and have been selected in Colombian and foreign Biennials. Our work was nominated for the continental award Mies van der Rohe Crown Hall Am ricas. Juan Pablo Ortiz has been a guest speaker on numerous occasions in Colombia, Argentina and Mexico. We are also the first Colombian architects to execute public projects of great significance for another country such as the General Archive of the Nation of Mexico.

Some of Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos achieve 6th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	1

5. Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura

CV Alejandro Restrepo Montoya August 4th, 1973, Medellín, Colombia University Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Pontificia University Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia. He has developed urban and architectural projects in the recent context of urban transformation of Medellín and has received international and national awards in recognition of his architectural work.

Some of Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura achieve 5th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	2

4. Taller Sintesis

Office of architecture and urbanism founded in 2008 in Medellín. Winner of National Award of Architecture in Colombia at the XXIV Bienal architecture and first mention in the Pan American International Architecture Biennale of Quito in 2014. Winners of the Clinica de la mujer design competition, Park of Arts and Crafts and Cerro The Asomadera design competition.

Some of Taller Sintesis’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Taller Sintesis achieve 4th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	2

3. CONNATURAL

CONNATURAL (formerly known as Laboratorio de Arquitectura y Paisaje) is situated in Medellín, Colombia and founded by the architects Edgar Mazo and Sebastian Mejia in 2011. Through its investigative work the office tries to establish a constant and mutual dialogue between art, architecture and landscape. This dialogue becomes evident through interventions and operations of territory.

Some of CONNATURAL’s most prominent projects include:

GARDEN HOUSE, Medellín, Colombia
MEDELLÍN´S AQUATIC COMPLEX, Medellín, Colombia
EDUCATIONAL PARK ENTRERRIOS, Entrerríos, Colombia
ROW HOUSE, Medellín, Colombia
POOL FOR A SCULPTOR, Medellín, Colombia

The following statistics helped CONNATURAL achieve 3rd place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	5

2. EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI

EQUIPO MAZZANTI believes architecture is one of the keys for the construction of a more competitive and sustainable society. The studio reaches out to contribute towards social transformation and well being, devising detailed contextual research and involving local actors throughout its design processes. The studio produces innovative design based on the observation of day by day interactions, which hold unpredictable spatial and programmatic possibilities.

Some of EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI’s most prominent projects include:

Expansion of Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation, Bogotá, Colombia
Timayui Social Kindergarten, Santa Marta, Colombia
CHAIRAMA SPA, Bogotá, Colombia
V House, Bogotá, Colombia
Top image: Spain Library Park, Medellín, Colombia

The following statistics helped EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI achieve 2nd place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	13

1. plan:b

plan:b is an architectural office that defines the work through a practice in which equal status is given to dialogue, drawing, travel, layout, construction, etc. and which are handled continuously, professional or academic situations, publication of books, college classes or construction
of buildings. Plan:b trust in working collaborative, to make of it a statement on the architecture and understands the practice and the architectural project as open situations, interim agreements, not imposed phenomena embedded in eco-social networks, either local or worldwide.

The plan:b work is generated primarily through participation in architectural competitions, and collaborating with other professionals in those projects is constant and diverse. Over the years work has been shared with people like Miguel Mesa (Mesa Publishers), Juan David Diez (Taller Standard), Federico Mesa, Camilo Restrepo, Giancarlo Mazzanti, Felipe Uribe, Ana Elvira Velez, Izaskun Chinchilla, and Hernando Barragan Maria Jose Sanin.

Some of plan:b’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped plan:b achieve 1st place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	11
Total Projects	16

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

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

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

Reference

Sustainable News

Bamboo will “be a major player” in architecture says Chris Matthews

By Zarkon Group,24/11/2023

The strength and availability of bamboo give it the potential to be as dominant in construction as concrete and steel, argues Atelier One engineer Chris Matthews in this interview.

“This idea that we have a sheet of rigid, extremely polished buildings, built from all kinds of steel and concrete, it has to change,” Matthews told Dezeen.

“Bamboo has a real part to play as a low-carbon material, and it needs to be part of the toolkit that we have moving forward,” he continued. “It’s going to be a major player.”

“The speed of growth is amazing”

Matthews spoke to Dezeen from the London office of British engineering firm Atelier One, where he is an associate director specialising in structural bamboo.

Bamboo is an extremely fast-growing species of giant grass that grows abundantly, quickly and cheaply around the world. Atelier One believes so much in its potential to become a dominant construction material that it has a team dedicated to its use in architecture.

While wood takes approximately 30 years to grow before being harvested as structural timber, a bamboo culm takes just three years.

Bamboo interior of The Arc at the Green School Bali — Top image: Chris Matthews is an engineer at Atelier One where he specialises in bamboo. Photo by Tomasso Riva. Above: his firm was among those to work on The Arc at the Green School Bali. Photo by Ibuku

“The speed of growth is amazing,” Matthews explained. “And the other wonderful thing is that you can grow bamboo on degraded land,” he continued.

“Land that wouldn’t otherwise be being used, you can actually regenerate using bamboo.”

Another key property of bamboo is that it is incredibly strong. In fact, its strength is comparable to aluminium, Matthews said.

“People always say it’s as strong as steel – it’s not as strong as steel, it’s close to aluminium,” Matthews said. “It is also actually stronger than concrete,” he continued.

“So in terms of structures, there’s no reason why you can’t use it.”

Locking carbon in buildings “the way forward”

Yet for Matthews, one of the characteristics of bamboo that makes it most attractive for the future of architecture is that it is an effective carbon store.

Similarly to timber, it sequesters carbon as it grows. In fact, there is even ongoing research to suggest that the material stores more carbon than timber, Matthews highlighted.

“There’s no kind of definitive paper on this yet because it’s such a hard thing to measure, but some papers say it’s between two and six times as much [sequestered carbon],” he said.

“It’s a great way of taking carbon out of the environment and making sure it doesn’t get re-released.”

As with many other advocates of sustainable materials, Matthews believes that the architecture and construction industries must urgently turn focus to the use of biomaterials such as bamboo to design buildings that sequester carbon, rather than expel it.

“In general, the idea of bio-based materials where we are capturing carbon and locking it up in a building, that has to be the way forward,” he said.

“So instead of thinking of a building as something that we have to use up our carbon budget to make, we’re instead thinking of the building as a way of locking up some carbon over the lifetime of the building,” he added. “I hope more and more of that will happen.”

Atelier One now testing structural limits of bamboo

Atelier One’s interest in bamboo was sparked by its founder Neil Thomas’ involvement in The Arc, a bamboo gymnasium at the Green School Bali designed by architecture studio Ibuku.

The sculptural building, which was highly commended in the 2021 Dezeen Awards, is distinguished by its complex double-curved roof made entirely from tensioned bamboo.

“The school has shown that, whereas bamboo was once seen as a ‘poor man’s timber’, actually, the beauty of the structures that result really is amazing,” reflected Matthews.

He argued that it also demonstrates it is possible to overcome the main disadvantage of the material, which has previously been a susceptibility to insect and fungal attacks, which in turn reduces its longevity.

This is achieved by ensuring the bamboo is not exposed directly to the sun, water or the ground. The bamboo is also treated to remove starch to help prevent these attacks, said Matthews.

“The issue has been that [bamboo is] prone to fungal attack and insect attack,” he said. “You’ve now got a material that not only has this amazing speed and strength, but it’s also able to have longevity as well.”

Today, Atelier One’s focus is primarily on maximising the strength and structural capabilities of bamboo, specifically through 3D-printed connections to link culms together.

“So you’ve got this amazingly strong material and now what we’re trying to play with is how you actually get the full strength out of it,” Matthews said. “It’s all about the connections.”

“We’ve started playing with 3D-printed connectors to link pieces of bamboo and get a longer piece of fabric. Once you start playing with the shapes, there’s no end to the possibilities.”

Laminated bamboo “seems to be performing better than timber”

The team is also exploring the potential of laminated bamboo – engineered bamboo products typically formed of layers of bamboo glued, stacked and pressed together.

According to Matthews, laminated bamboo can be used in the same ways as cross-laminated timber (CLT) but actually outperforms it in terms of strength.

“You don’t just have to use the crops whole and unprocessed, there is a whole industry of laminated bamboo,” Matthews said.

“Laminated bamboo actually seems to be performing better than timber, and also just like timber you can encapsulate it, so you put plasterboard on if you need to, it can be used as part of a build-up.”

“People are doing it, it’s early days, but the properties are amazing,” he added. “And it’s really starting to take hold.”

Among the varieties of engineered bamboo are scrimber, cross-laminated timber-bamboo (CLTB) and a type of radial laminated bamboo called Radlam.

The latter is Atelier One’s favourite, Matthews said, as it is processed in a way that retains all the layers of a bamboo culm, reducing waste and maximising strength.

“The reason we like this is because you get the whole culm, so the whole thickness of the bamboo – you’re not wasting material as you process it,” he said.

“And also, by not passing off the outer skin, you’re getting the full strength,” he continued. “It’s three times stronger than standard timber, so the properties are amazing.”

Another advocate for bamboo is Vietnamese architect Vo Trong Nghia. In an interview with Dezeen, he described the material as the “green steel of the 21st century”.

“I think bamboo and laminated bamboo will replace other materials and become the ‘green steel’ of the 21st century,” said Nghia.

“I hope many architects realise the potential of the material and build with bamboo more and more.”

Dezeen In Depth

If you enjoy reading Dezeen’s interviews, opinions and features, subscribe to Dezeen In Depth. Sent on the last Friday of each month, this newsletter provides a single place to read about the design and architecture stories behind the headlines.

Reference

Architecture

a peek into world architecture festival’s 2023 edition in singapore

By Zarkon Group,24/11/2023

previewing world architecture festival 2023 in singapore

Landing in Singapore after almost a decade, the annual World Architecture Festival (WAF) is launching its 2023 edition at the city’s Marina Bay Sands between November 29 and December 1, 2023. This year’s program, themed as Catalyst, encompasses the prestigious WAF live award judging, inspirational talks and keynotes led by 76 renowned speakers, as well as fringe events around Singapore — including a Mario Cucinella exhibition and a Wes Anderson-inspired film. Overall, this highly anticipated three-day festival invites experts and the public to uncover the latest debates and concepts put forth by the architectural community, which designboom has packaged into a comprehensive preview right here. Read on to discover the highlights of WAF 2023.

Marina Bay Sands | image © Ravish Maqsood

outlining the main stage program

The World Architecture Festival 2023 program breaks down into five categories: keynotes and talks, live awards judging, gala dinner, exhibitions and networking at The Festival Hall, and Fringe events. Following this year’s theme, Catalyst, the keynotes and talks will unpack how architecture and design catalyze beneficial change for the environment, individuals, and institutions. In three days, 76 international speakers will lead these discussions on the Main stage and in The Festival Hall. Highlights include Charu Kokate from Safdie Architects; Mario Cucinella, Sir Peter Cook; OBMI‘s Islam El Mashtooly; Verform‘s Mouaz Abouzaid; and Herzog de Meuron‘s Wim Walschap. Running in parallel is Inside, the World Festival of Interiors that the likes of English RIBA architect Nigel Coates will headline. You can see the complete list of speakers here. Complementing the speaker event is the live WAF awards judging, where 495 shortlisted projects will compete in front of a jury across 17 crit rooms. Categories are Completed Buildings, Future Buildings, and Landscape — with projects ranging from hospitality and mixed-use to education, religion, and sport. Discover all the 2023 finalists on the festival website.

Gardens by the Bay | image courtesy WAF

WAF’s fringe events — from guided tours to short film

World Architecture Festival 2023 completes with a series of Fringe events: (1) Seven guided architectural tours, (2) the Architecture Drawing Prize exhibition, (3) Mario Cucinella Architects’ The Future is a Journey to the Past exhibition, and a Wes Anderson-inspired short film. To begin, the tours will allow WAF attendees to discover local landmarks and previous award-winning projects from the festival. All tours will be guided by qualified architects and, in some cases, the lead architect on the project itself. Landmarks include Heatherwick Studio‘s Learning Hub building, Wilkinson Eyre‘s Gardens by the Bay, W Architects | M Moser‘s St James Power Station, and Safdie Architects’ Jewel at Changi Airport. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The complete tour guide program is available here.

Esplanade Theatres on the Bay | image courtesy WAF

Up next is the seventh edition of the Architecture Drawing Prize exhibition, which continues to celebrate the art of drawing in three categories: hand-drawn, digital, and hybrid. Sponsored by Iris Ceramica Group, the Prize has attracted a record number of entries with nearly 250 drawings from around the world. This year’s winners are: ‘Grundtvig’ by Ben Johnson in the hand-drawn category, ‘The Archatographic Map of the Incomplete Landscape on Pedra Branca’ by Eugene Tan in the digital category, and ‘(Re)membering the See Monster’ by Eldry John Infante in the hybrid category. Sir John Soane’s Museum in London will exhibit both the winning and shortlisted drawings from 31 January to 3 March 2024. WAF will host a second exhibition curated and designed by Mario Cucinella Architects. Titled The Future is a Journey to the Past, this showcase explores the past and present of sustainable thinking — focusing the narrative around a timeline that traces the evolution of environmental awareness and activism from prehistory to today.

Experimental Shortlist 2023 – Absorbent Sand Storm Skyscraper by Kalbod Studio | image courtesy WAF

Last but not least, the WAF Fringe event features a wrap-up of a three-year architectural adventure documenting the built environment in Singapore by architectural photographer and content creator from Singapore Kevin Siyuan. The short film — dubbed A Wes Anderson-ish Singapore Vol.2 — is inspired by the cinematography of American movie director Wes Anderson (‘Asteroid City’ & ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’). It captures the many different aspects of urban land use, paying tribute to signature Wes Anderson aesthetics and infusing the style with Kevin’s own personal touch of cinematographic adaptations and localizations in the local context.

Singapore Pavilion 2023 | image © Chiara Becattini

The Future is a Journey to the Past by Mario Cucinella Architects | image courtesy WAF

Sir Peter Cook at WAF 2022, joining this year’s edition as speaker | image courtesy WAF

Reference

Interior Design

Cox Architecture celebrates heritage features of its own Sydney studio

By Zarkon Group,23/11/2023

A brick, steel and timber structure is left exposed in this office interior in Sydney, which local firm Cox Architecture has revamped to house its own studio.

Cox Architecture removed previous alterations to the structure, which occupies five floors of the heritage-listed Metcalfe Bond Stores warehouse in Tallawoladah, to highlight its original features and complement them with pared-back, flexible workspaces.

Cox Architecture design studio office in Sydney — Cox Architecture has designed its own studio in a Sydney warehouse

“Our objective was to do more with less, balancing the poetic with the pragmatic,” explained the studio.

“Restrained interventions allow the heritage to be the hero and minimise the project’s embodied energy,” it continued. “Our starting point was a process of reduction, removing non-heritage elements to create clarity.”

Interior view of office space by Cox Architecture — The studio exposed its existing structure

The interior is defined by the original steel and timber structure’s columns and beams that have been painted white, and the brickwork of the outer walls that are left exposed.

New elements such as glass doors and walls, room dividers, curtains and furniture were chosen to touch the existing structure “as lightly as possible”, and feature alongside dark-wood carpentry and gallery-style lighting tracks.

View of office interior featuring a steel and timber structure — Dark-wood carpentry features throughout

The workspaces themselves are designed to be flexible and “hackable”, allowing areas to be reconfigured and subdivided easily by staff.

This includes a forum space on the fifth level of the building, which has a wall lined with magnetic whiteboards and can be used as anything from a collaborative workshop space to a presentation area for 200 people.

Alongside it is a kitchen with a backdrop of exposed brickwork and two long counters topped with unsealed brass that will patinate over time.

A black-steel stair leads up to a mezzanine level above containing further desk spaces. This sits at the top of the building, lit by skylights in the apex of the pitched roof.

View of workspace by Cox Architecture in Sydney — The workspaces are designed to be flexible

“Anchored by a generous kitchen, a flexible forum space is a magnet for serendipitous exchange between Cox’s own people and the wider design community,” said the studio.

“The majority of elements within the space are movable, creating an experimental, nimble workspace allowing teams the autonomy to control their space and future-proofing the studio as the workplace evolves,” it continued.

Cox Architecture design workspace interior in Sydney — The presentation space is lined with magnetic whiteboards

Facing the street, Cox Architecture created a “shopfront window”, giving staff the opportunity to populate vitrines with the studio’s work.

Cox Sydney Studio has recently been shortlisted in the large workplace interior category of Dezeen Awards 2023. Another office interior completed by the studio is the Midtown Workplace in Brisbane, which features a large, plant-filled atrium with by a weathered-steel staircase.

The photography is by Nicole England and Cameron Hallam.

Reference

Architecture

25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal

By Zarkon Group,19/11/2023

Montréal is considered one of the top cities of Art Deco architecture, a movement that was formed during the Second Industrial Revolution in Paris. Known as the industrial and financial center of Canada for the better half of the 20th century, Montréal has several local districts that carry traces from the city’s “metropolitan” era. Designed as clean geometric shapes with sharp lines, warehouses, mills and refineries found in downtown Montréal are still a reminiscent part of the city’s cultural heritage. Additionally, one notable example of Art Deco architecture is Ernest Cormier’s Université de Montréal.

Following the rapid urbanization of the Quebec province in the 1970s, Montréal became progressively more culturally active, shifting to modernist trends in art and architecture. Habitat 67, an iconic housing complex designed by architect Moshe Safdie for the Expo 67 World’s Fair, is currently one of the most celebrated works of Canadian modernism. Today, Montréal is a cultural medley of architectural works. Home to McGill University, one of the most prestigious architecture schools in the country, the city constantly produces new pieces of architecture that do not fit under any specific trend or movement but rather steadily push the boundaries of contemporary architecture.

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 Montréal based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2023)
The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2023)
The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2023)

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 Montréal architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 25 best architecture firms in Montréal:

25. Anekdote Collective

Anekdote’s work is in keeping with the times, pursuing iconographic statements hidden in the subtext.

Some of Anekdote Collective’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Anekdote Collective achieve 25th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

24. Architecturama

Sylvain Bilodeau and Nicolas Mathieu-Tremblay have been collaborating for several years on creative projects focused on architecture. Inspired by the context, both tangible and intangible, and by the way people occupy and perceive their environment, they manipulate programs, places and ideas to create relevant and sensitive constructions, objects and spaces. Experimentation and research allow them to develop a unique architecture in which matter, geometry and perceptual aspects remain central. Their practice has been recognized many times in Quebec, Canada and internationally.

Some of Architecturama’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Architecturama achieve 24th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

23. CATALYSE URBAINE

“Cities offer city dwellers an inspiring living environment that allows them to experience nature with little or no impact on the environment. Around the world, societies walk with solar and wind energy, reuse and recycle, and protect the natural habitats of other living species. Thanks to the partnership of states and the business world, humanity now lives in harmony with nature and other living beings. ”

Some of CATALYSE URBAINE’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped CATALYSE URBAINE achieve 23rd place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

22. Ravi Handa Architect

RHA is based in Montréal, specializing in residential and commercial design. The practice is dedicated to what physical space makes us feel. The built environment is in large part where our personal stories unfold. RHA believes that the better we articulate that physical framework, the less likely we are to be distracted from the things that matter to us most.

Some of Ravi Handa Architect’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Ravi Handa Architect achieve 22nd place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	1

21. Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes inc.

Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes is a leader in architectural design, redevelopment and the construction of diverse, specialized and technically complex institutional buildings, in particular in the fields of health care, education, research, culture, transportation and housing. Recipient of more than 60 awards of excellence in architecture, the firm has demonstrated over and over again its capacity to conceive and carry out projects of high architectural merit.

In consortium, the firm recently earned Canadian Architect’s Awards of Excellence for two ongoing projects: the new performance hall in Saint-Jérôme (2014–2016) and the Fifth Pavilion of the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (2013¬–2017). JLP also received the Ordre des architectes du Québec’s Prix d’excellence en architecture in the category of institutional buildings for the Bibliothèque Raymond-Levesque (2013).

Some of Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes inc.’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes inc. achieve 21st place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	2

20. Open Form Architecture

Open Form Architecture is devoted to a deep and innovative approach to creating contemporary architecture and urbanism; and dedicated to
producing transformative experiences by shaping new paths for architecture, urbanism and public space. The office follows a rigorous thought process that simultaneously questions the representation of buildings, the shape of cites, and the conceptual models and processes through the application of new computational technologies.

For Open Form, digital technologies open up the spectrum of possibilities in architecture and design. Whether it is in the development and application of technologies for the building itself, or in the creation of advanced architecture, technologies generate new contexts, new perceptions, and surprising perspectives between the relationship of creating and producing new architectural forms.

Some of Open Form Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Open Form Architecture achieve 20th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	2

19. Affleck de la Riva Architects

Founded in 1995 by Gavin Affleck and Richard de la Riva and based in Montréal, Canada, Affleck de la Riva Architects believe that quality environmental design is an agent of social change and a key element in fostering citizenship, social equity, and healthy lifestyles. The firm provides services for the design and construction of institutional, commercial and residential projects and has also developed specific expertise in urban design and the restoration of historic structures. For more than twenty years, through a wide range and scale of projects including research, competitions, and built work, Affleck de la Riva has been exploring the potential of history and landscape to generate contemporary architecture.

Some of Affleck de la Riva Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Affleck de la Riva Architects achieve 19th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	3

18. DKA Architectes

DKA is an architectural firm characterized by a collaborative spirit, a multidisciplinary approach and an experienced team. We have an informal work environment where studio work is prized and everyone is encouraged to participate actively in all aspects of architecture. Our company stands out for its creativity, dynamism and team spirit. We are committed to creating and maintaining a pleasant working environment, and we are continually working to perfect our profession.

Some of DKA Architectes’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped DKA Architectes achieve 18th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	5

17. Huma Design + Architecture

HUMÀ is a firm built around the notion of excellence and unconditional customer satisfaction. the architectural team is a a good balance between experience and new, dynamic potential, all of them customer’s devoted. Interior and GraphicDesign teams have been recognized amongst Quebec’s most renowned designers, and have received numerous awards among peers and both national and international audience.

Some of Huma Design + Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

SSENSE, Montréal, Canada
International Jetty Expansion | Montréal–Trudeau Airport, Montréal, Canada
Rockland – The Kitchen, Montréal, Canada
SSP Concessions, Montréal airport, Montréal, Canada
Tour des Canadiens 2, Montréal, Canada

The following statistics helped Huma Design + Architecture achieve 17th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	16

16. Clairoux

Founded in 2009, Clairoux was born out of a genuine desire to transform spaces in order to create environments where people feel truly comfortable. Over the years, our team has built a solid reputation for its creative approach and ability to optimize interiors, whether for a residence, a commercial space or a real estate project.

With a multidisciplinary team of talented and passionate designers, we collaborate with clients from diverse backgrounds to design unique environments that reflect their personality and lifestyle, combining functionality, volumetric design, harmony and elegance. Clairoux believes in working with our clients to understand their needs and create spaces that meet their expectations. We believe that everyone deserves to live in beauty. We are driven by the need to shape, mould and transform interior spaces into great places to live. We fundamentally believe in intelligent design. WE ARE CLAIROUX.

Some of Clairoux’s most prominent projects include:

Du tour’s residence, Laval, Canada
Conception restaurant Montréal, Montréal, Canada
Conception Condo Montréal, Montréal, Canada
Conception Condo Montréal, Montréal, Canada
Conception Condo Montréal, Montréal, Canada

The following statistics helped Clairoux achieve 16th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	21

15. perraultarchitecture (atelier urban face)

Perraultarchitecture is first and foremost a think tank whose creations are based on a conceptual approach that is stimulated and oriented towards the idea of the work as an actor in the poetry of the place. Directed by the architect Sylvie Perrault since 2003, she is assisted by a team of professionals and loyal collaborators chosen for their expertise in relation to the commission.

Our training and experience contribute to the development of architectural thinking that takes into account the particular context of the built environment in which the project is inserted. Our practice has been recognized with several national and international awards, notably for the three Beaver Lake kiosks on Mount Royal in Montréal.

Some of perraultarchitecture (atelier urban face)’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped perraultarchitecture (atelier urban face) achieve 15th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	1
Total Projects	2

14. Blouin Tardif Architectes

photo: Stephane Groleau - © Blouin Tardif Architectes

Established in 2004, the firm excels in the design of sustainable buildings developed around the principles of Durability, Performance and Aesthetics. The workshop relies on a multidisciplinary team of architects, engineer, specializing in building science and building energy modeling, sustainable design specialist and LEED Project Manager and technologists in architectural design. All team members are LEED Accredited Professionals. All projects are undertaken using the integrated design method. This strategy is applied to the projects in which we act as project managers.

Some of Blouin Tardif Architectes’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Blouin Tardif Architectes achieve 14th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	3

13. Atelier Moderno

Under the guidance of director and president Jean-Guy Chabauty (APDIQ, ADIQ), Atelier Moderno is a full-service design firm, delivering a finished product that incarnates a synthesis of architecture, interior design and industrial design.

Some of Atelier Moderno’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Atelier Moderno achieve 13th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	4

12. Jean Verville Architecte

The practice of Jean Verville is on the fringe of mainstream architecture. For each proposal, architecture, design, museum installation or object, the architect uses the architectural promenade as material to develop the spatial qualities of his experiments. In addition to its award-winning practice and his significant international publications Jean Verville continues his investigations on architectural design process through a PhD at Université du Québec à Montréal.

Some of Jean Verville Architecte’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Jean Verville Architecte achieve 12th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	2

11. BGLA architecture | urban design

© BGLA architecture | urban design, Agence Spatiale inc.

BGLA has been specializing for more than 40 years in the fields of architecture, heritage and urban design, and now has three business offices in Montréal, Quebec City and Sept-Îles, with a large team of more than 70 employees. BGLA has a diversified experience on projects of all sizes, mainly in the institutional (teaching and health), cultural and community fields.

BGLA’s architectural approach is sensitive to the protection of the built environment and its historical and social context. Recognized for its interventions that are respectful to both the buildings and their constructive processes, BGLA is concerned with the valorization of the natural and cultural heritage of each place.

Some of BGLA architecture | urban design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped BGLA architecture | urban design achieve 11th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Finalist	1
Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	4

10. Salem Architecture

Salem architecture was founded in Montréal in 2012 by Jad Salem, architect. graduated from the Université de Montréall in 2002 with a master’s degree in architecture, M.Salem has been a member of the quebec architects’ order since 2007 (ncarb certification) and holds the title of leed green associate. For more than 10 years in major firms, as an architect and project manager, he acquired rich experience on various institutional projects, including working with several school boards on new school projects, school expansion projects as well as a good variety of residential and commercial projects.

The team has several trusting collaborators for several years! Thus, thanks to the diversified and complementary qualities of the members, as well as the predominance of teamwork, we are always looking for the best solutions to an architecture project.

Some of Salem Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Salem Architecture achieve 10th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	4

9. Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes

MENKÈS SHOONER DAGENAIS LETOURNEUX Architectes’ mission is to provide a complete range of top-quality architectural services to each of our clients. Our main goal is to obtain their complete satisfaction. To do so, we base our approach on open communication with an emphasis on active listening to ensure we fully comprehend each client’s needs and constraints. We are then motivated by the genuine desire to provide individually tailored, original and practical responses to satisfy needs while respecting the constraints. We are also committed to sustainable design and incorporate sustainable design practices into all the buildings we design, whether a formal certification is required or not.

Some of Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes achieve 9th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	4

8. Smith Vigeant Architects

Daniel Smith and Stéphan Vigeant have been working together since 1992 to define an architectural practice that transcends the traditional scope of the profession. Their vision, combined with diverse and extensive professional experience, now extends to a wide range of projects from the residential, institutional, corporate and urban sectors. Their integrated, sustainable approach enables the team to pioneer solid and unique design solutions that effectively incorporate their collective expertise.

With this holistic approach to design, all components of a building are integrated from the initial design phase until completion. The team at Smith Vigeant have built a deep portfolio that includes a broad array of projects varying in scope and complexity, that are cost-effective, energy efficient and have low environmental impact. Smith Vigeant is committed to environmentally responsible architecture as well as the creation of healthy and inspiring spaces that positively impact the people that use them.

Some of Smith Vigeant Architects’s most prominent projects include:

Allez Up Rock Climbing Gym, Montréal, Canada
Mont-Tremblant Discovery Center, Mont-Tremblant, Canada
Notre-Dame de Lourdes College, Montréal, Canada
Loft de Seves, Montréal, Canada
Pointe-Valaine , Otterburn Park, Canada

The following statistics helped Smith Vigeant Architects achieve 8th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

Featured Projects	3
Total Projects	7

7. Sid Lee Architecture

We believe that the beauty of a city lies in its residents, the driving force behind our designs. Our artisans recognize the social responsibility that comes with our architectural projects and create versatile, customizable spaces that deliver on users’ ever-changing needs. They’re caring, creative, bold and persevering.

Some of Sid Lee Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

Espace C2 @ Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montréal, Canada
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montréal, Canada
Réseau Sélection Lachenaie, Montréal, Canada
Espace Montmorency, Montréal, Canada
Place Deslongchamps, Saint-Jacques, Canada

The following statistics helped Sid Lee Architecture achieve 7th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	8

6. Atelier L’Abri

L’Abri is an architecture and construction office based in Montréal. Through its design-build approach, L’Abri delivers turn-key projects, from conception to realization. The studio specializes in ecological and sustainable construction. It advocates for innovative architecture solutions, putting forward wellness and the human and social character of our environments. L’Abri’s designs are resolutely contemporary, unique and at the human scale.

Some of Atelier L’Abri’s most prominent projects include:

La Pointe, Notre-Dame-du-Laus, Canada
Maison Accuracy, Montréal, Canada
Saltbox passive house, Bromont, Canada
Drolet, Montréal, Canada
The Wood Duck, Brome-Missisquoi Regional County Municipality, Canada

The following statistics helped Atelier L’Abri achieve 6th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Finalist	2
Featured Projects	4
Total Projects	10

5. Aedifica architecture + design

Ædifica is a unified team of architects, designers, engineers, communications specialists and project managers who share a common desire to create meaningful and long-lasting places. The firm has been in business since 1979 and now has offices in Montréal, St-Louis and Haïti with more than 115 professionals providing an integrated service offer. We are a strategic partner for our clients thanks to our joint efforts to serve them to the best of our expertise, at every opportunity.

The founding principle of Ædifica is to bring the complementary fields of expertise of our multidisciplinary team together under one roof. Ready to tackle the challenges facing large organizations, we use a synergetic approach which enables us to orchestrate our efforts around a shared, holistic vision that ties creativity, achievement, innovation and performance together.

Some of Aedifica architecture + design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Aedifica architecture + design achieve 5th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	2
Total Projects	30

4. Provencher_Roy

Provencher_Roy is an award-winning Canadian architecture practice involved in all forms of the built environment. We champion an integrated approach to design and provide expertise in interior design, urban design, urban planning, landscape architecture, industrial design, and sustainable development.

Some of Provencher_Roy’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Provencher_Roy achieve 4th place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	5
Featured Projects	9
Total Projects	15

3. Alain Carle Architecte

Alain Carle has worked in the architecture field in Montréal for twenty years. Based on a pedagogical approach he developed as a teacher and researcher at the School of Architecture of the Université de Montréal, his achievements rely on a critical approach to representation in the design process. The firm’s accomplishments are regularly recognized by the architectural community, especially in the field of residential and commercial architecture.

Some of Alain Carle Architecte’s most prominent projects include:

NORM Residence, Baie-D’Urfe, Canada
Screenhouse, Wentworth-Nord, Canada
The Elves, Morin-Heights, Canada
The Wetlands, Wentworth-Nord, Canada
Le Phénix, Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson, Canada

The following statistics helped Alain Carle Architecte achieve 3rd place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Winner	1
Featured Projects	12
Total Projects	23

2. Lemay

We create space to grow. Since 1957, Lemay has been imagining new ways to create spaces that engage users and bring people together. Over 400 architects, designers, industry leaders, and change-makers work tirelessly to cultivate innovation in their own backyards, as well as in communities around the world. Inspired and strengthened by transdisciplinary creativity, the firm has also developed its very own NET POSITIVE™ approach to guide teams toward sustainable solutions that shape a better future. With the human experience at its heart, Lemay strives to design with empathy and create spaces to grow.

Some of Lemay’s most prominent projects include:

Pomerleau Offices, Levis, Canada
Lumenpulse, Longueuil, Canada
Bellechasse Transport Center, Montréal, Canada
Grand Théatre de Québec, Quebec City, Canada
Place des Montréalaises, Montréal, Canada
Top image: Espace 67, Montréal, Canada via Société du Parc Jean-Drapeau

The following statistics helped Lemay achieve 2nd place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Winner	3
A+Awards Finalist	5
Featured Projects	10
Total Projects	37

1. ACDF Architecture

At ACDF, we have an uncompromising ambition to be both responsible and inventive, both visionary and generous, to ultimately bring beauty to everyone. Good design can capture the imagination, but great design offers something more generous: it stirs the heart. Under the direction of Maxime-Alexis Frappier, Joan Renaud and Etienne Laplante Courchesne, the 95-person studio is deeply rooted in solid know-how and a joie de vivre.

Our mission is to deliver highly tailored, design-savvy projects at any scale across all typologies. In our architectural atelier, we are energized by constraints (budget, site, material) and craft poetry from pragmatism. With its creative energy and its broad expertise, ACDF designs inspiring spaces in which North American pragmatism meets European flamboyance.

Some of ACDF Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

Notre-Dame College Gymnasium, Montréal, Canada
Lightspeed Offices Phase 3, Montréal, Canada
Flighthub, Montréal, Canada
Barclay Tower, Vancouver, Canada
The Pacific by Grosvenor, Vancouver, Canada

The following statistics helped ACDF Architecture achieve 1st place in the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Montréal:

A+Awards Winner	1
A+Awards Finalist	8
Featured Projects	17
Total Projects	37

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

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

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

Reference

Sustainable News

Space Caviar launches Non-Extractive Architecture directory

By Zarkon Group,16/11/2023

Design studio Space Caviar and philanthropic initiative Re:arc Institute have launched an online directory to showcase and support architectural practitioners challenging traditional ways of practice.

The open-access Non-Extractive Architecture directory features more than 700 trailblazers worldwide who “prioritise social justice, material awareness and long-term thinking” in their work.

It has been launched by Space Caviar and the Practice Lab branch of Re:arc Institute in response to the growing awareness of the damage that construction is doing to the planet and is hoped to encourage more design that alleviates this.

“As the scale and magnitude of the climate crisis we are collectively facing – and the central role the construction industry plays in accelerating it – become more evident, there is increasing awareness within the profession, especially among the youngest generation of the profession, that something must change,” said Space Cavier founder Joseph Grima.

“Our goal is for the Non-Extractive Architecture project to be an accelerator of this change,” he told Dezeen.

The directory is a continuation of Space Caviar’s existing work exploring the concept of Non-Extractive Architecture – a term it coined to summarise a style of architecture that prioritises conserving, rather than exploiting, the Earth’s resources.

Each practitioner a “useful part to a larger puzzle”

The studio released a book, Non-Extractive Architecture Vol 1, in 2019 and later began a year-long research residency with the non-profit private organisation V-A-C Foundation.

“The directory we are launching today represents the most ambitious phase of the project so far,” said Grima.

“We didn’t expect the book to receive as much attention as it did, and now sadly it’s out of print and quite difficult to get hold of,” he explained. “This is why we decided to go with an online directory – to keep it as democratic and open-access as possible and also to allow it to grow organically over time.”

The directory is divided into six themes, named Timeless Ways of Building, Material Origins, The Politics of Construction, The Long Now, Building as Last Resort and Systems Architecture.

Case study in the Non-Extractive Architecture directory — Dakar collective Worofila is one of the studios in the directory

According to Grima, the categories are intended to maximise the directory’s accessibility and help readers “take that first step of jumping in”.

“We intend to document the work of everyone who we feel is making a sincere effort to contribute to meaningful change in the way in which architecture will be practised in the future,” said Grima.

“This is not to say that their practice is necessarily devoid of critical weaknesses – it’s more that we feel their work contributes one useful part to a larger puzzle.”

“We hope it can accelerate the diversification of a profession”

Among the studios featured in the directory is Atelier Luma, a circular design lab based at Luma Arles that specialises in developing materials made from locally sourced bio-waste, various by-products and other under-valued materials.

Others include Field Architects, a nomadic studio that is developing ways to combine traditional and indigenous construction techniques with modern methods, and Dakar collective Worofila, which specialises in using local, low-carbon materials to create buildings best suited to their climate.

Atelier Aino – a French cooperative architecture workshop focused on retrofit instead of demolition – also features in the directory, alongside a women-led landscape design studio called ORU in Mexico that is dedicated to building resilience to climate change.

Grima said that the goal of the directory is to “accelerate a transformation in the profession by helping like-minded practitioners find one another and share knowledge”.

“We hope it can accelerate the diversification of a profession that is far too male, western-centric and inward-looking – we hope it can be a well-structured, easy-to-use and inspiring source of contacts for clients, curators, editors and conference moderators who otherwise tend to default to the same familiar names,” he explained.

Directory “can help inspire confidence”

However, he also hopes it can help motivate people who are “interested in approaching architecture differently”, particularly the younger and emerging generation of architects.

“It is a heavily regulated field, and the current modus operandi can seem inescapable,” he reflected.

“Seeing hundreds or thousands of other practices who have already found ways to question the prevalent assumptions about how design is practiced can help inspire confidence in the idea that it is possible to do things differently.”

The non-extractive architecture(s) directory is an ever-evolving resource and it is welcoming other contributions for its expansion.

Grima shared details of the Non-Extractive Architecture project in a talk with Dezeen in 2021 and also in a manifesto written for the Dezeen 15 festival.

“In the face of clear and present danger, we have no choice but to rethink the predatory principles (towards habitat, towards each other) that modern industrial economies are optimised towards,” Grima wrote in his manifesto.

The images are courtesy of Space Caviar.

Reference