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A new era of energy: district heating and cooling that uses CO2
CategoriesSustainable News

A new era of energy: district heating and cooling that uses CO2

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Almost 25 per cent of the energy produced worldwide is used to heat and cool homes and commercial buildings. And the process of generating this energy is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. District heating and cooling systems are one potential solution. These generate heat centrally and distribute it across a network of buildings in the same neighbourhood, which is more efficient than heating or cooling buildings individually. Usually, such systems use water to transfer heat, but now, Swiss cleantech startup ExerGo is using CO2 as an energy transfer fluid for its closed-loop system.

The CO2 is the basis of a thermal network powered by renewable resources and waste heat. By using liquid and vapour CO2 as a working fluid, the system increases energy transport efficiency over conventional water-based systems. This greater efficiency, in turn, allows for the use of small and more flexible piping, which can save up to 60 per cent in installation costs and time, while reducing noise and air pollution. ExerGo claims that its compact network can save up to 80 per cent in primary energy consumption over comparable fossil fuel-based systems.

In October last year, ExerGo won the European Heat Pump Association‘s Heat Pump City of the Year Award for the successful implementation of its technology in Sion, Switzerland.

Springwise has spotted other technologies that are helping to decarbonise the energy-intensive cooling and heating systems used around the world, including a heat pump that is powered by sound and affordable geothermal heating and cooling systems.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Reviving nature: a new era of tech-driven restoration
CategoriesSustainable News

Reviving nature: a new era of tech-driven restoration

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: In all the talk of technology to help various sectors reach climate targets, less attention has been paid to nature-based solutions. Often, nature restoration projects are met with long and cumbersome processes, which hinders fundraising, scaling, and speed.

Nature tech company Arkadiah Technology has developed a solution to bring traceability and transparency to these projects, making it easier to unlock financing and scale land restoration projects. Arkadiah has built a platform designed especially for climate mitigation projects in Southeast Asia, a region that saw greenhouse gas emissions rise faster than anywhere else in the world between 1990 and 2010.

Arkadiah’s approach uses artificial intelligence (AI), LiDAR, satellite imagery, and ground truthing to provide transparent and verifiable data. Project developers, landowners, and corporations can then use this information to streamline the deployment of nature-based climate solutions, such as reforestation projects, and quickly issue quality carbon removal and biodiversity credits.

The company has recently closed a successful seed funding round led by Golden Gate Ventures, with participation from The Radical Fund and Money Forward Venture Partners. Oriana Soryo, Head of Marketing at Arkadiah, told Springwise that the company is “now working on developing the technology and onboarding project partners and investors. Our focus is on restoration and regenerative agriculture, where there is a shortage of such high-quality carbon removal projects.”

Platforms like Arkadiah’s can help make it easier and quicker for climate projects to attract the funding they need. Springwise has spotted other platforms that are boosting essential nature-based projects, including the use of AI to unlock climate investments and prevent wildfires.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Building Boundaries: Counter-Surveillance Architecture in the Era of Smart Cities
CategoriesArchitecture

Building Boundaries: Counter-Surveillance Architecture in the Era of Smart Cities

By Zarkon Group,

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters.

“You had to live—did live, from habit that became instinct—in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized.” — George Orwell, 1984.

Back in 1949, when George Orwell’s 1984 was first published, it was regarded as a powerful warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and omnipresent government surveillance. The best-selling book speaks of a reality where everything you do, say, and even think is observed, analyzed and meticulously evaluated for compliance. Yet, even though it ranks among the most extensively read novels in history, it appears that, in the 75 years since the text’s publication, Orwell’s stark warnings didn’t quite resonate with some readers, and as a result, our modern cities are increasingly resembling his dystopia to an extent that may have surprised even him.

With political and social instability fueling crime, corruption and chaos around the world, apprehension and perceived peril are consistently driving demand for safer cities. It was and remains a technology hailed as a savior to the plight. CCTV, monitoring and oversight are being lauded as the answer to all our troubles. However, it is clear that as technology has become increasingly sophisticated, our freedoms have gradually eroded, and while for some, this might seem a fair trade for safety and stability, there are many reasons why a surveillance state is counterproductive for society and why certain architects are likely to begin advocating for counter-surveillance measures to be included in their designs in the near future.

When it comes to surveillance rights, the fundamental question is this: How much surveillance is too much, even in the name of security?

Images created by Architizer via Midjourney

Images created by Architizer via Midjourney

Cities like London, Beijing, Singapore and New York are all criticized for their extensive use of CCTV and surveillance for reasons such as crime prevention, anti-terrorism and public order. However, the extent and nature of such surveillance have spawned advocacy organizations and sparked debates over privacy rights, the potential for state overreach, the impact on civil liberties and the effectiveness of this technology. With projects like NEOM, Amaravati and Telosa increasing trepidation about how much the cities of the future will know about its inhabitants.

In today’s cities, cameras have been installed to reduce crime and urban planning has been established to support the most continuous views possible. However, their effectiveness in achieving this goal remains unproven. In the United Kingdom, where public surveillance cameras are widespread, London being one of the most heavily surveilled cities in the world, expert sociologists found that they have not led to a decrease in overall crime rates. In one study, criminologists found that while there were reductions in some categories, they generally failed to establish a significant impact of cameras on reducing either crime or the public’s fear of crime.

A big issue is that surveillance is often disproportionately targeted at specific communities, particularly communities of color or religion. This problem highlights ethical concerns about discriminatory practices and the misuse of surveillance tools for racial profiling. A pertinent example is the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces. This technology can track individuals in real-time and is often utilized for identifying criminals. However, weaknesses in the technology mean it is particularly prone to errors when identifying people of color, trans persons and nonbinary individuals, and can often lead to misidentification and wrongful accusations. Additionally, there are many recorded instances where surveillance tools have been misused for personal gain or political oppression. Examples include law enforcement using surveillance databases for stalking or harassing individuals or the targeting of political activists during periods of social unrest.

Images created by Architizer via Midjourney

Images created by Architizer via Midjourney

The omnipresence of surveillance technologies in urban spaces has raised concerns that almost every movement of an individual can be tracked, recorded and analyzed, infringing on personal privacy and autonomy, with many privacy experts confirming that mass surveillance can lead to a chilling effect on human behavior, causing individuals to modify their actions and speech out of fear of being watched. In democratic societies, freedom of expression, association and movement are fundamental, and pervasive surveillance can inhibit these freedoms, creating a society where people feel constantly monitored and judged. Historical examples illustrate how surveillance can suppress dissent and erode democratic freedoms.

With ever more being understood about the level we are being monitored on and offline, many people are calling for measures that allow individuals a right to privacy. In recent years, personal data has become a highly valuable commodity bought and sold to corporations for any number of reasons, mostly without our knowledge or consent. Proponents of democratic values and civil liberties argue that the implementation of counter-surveillance strategies in our urban environments would reduce the transactional value of our personal information and the exploitation in the name of our data.

In addressing the challenges of privacy, autonomy and social ethics of surveillance, architects and designers are exploring a range of innovative counter-surveillance measures. These measures extend far beyond the evasion of surveillance cameras and are designed to uphold fundamental human rights and promote social equity.

Images created by Architizer via Midjourney

Images created by Architizer via Midjourney

A central aspect of these strategies involves the use of materials that disrupt surveillance technologies. Maintaining anonymity in public spaces can be vital for some individuals, for their own safety, if they are well-known or public figures, or for people who work in particular industries. By designing façades with anti-reflective coatings or patterns that confuse facial recognition software and incorporating infrared-blocking materials to counter thermal imaging, architect consciously aim to safeguard the freedom of individuals to live without the constant unease of being watched. This is significant as psychological studies indicate that the sensation of being monitored can lead to self-censorship and altered behavior.

The strategic planning of urban layouts and spatial organization has also become integral to counter-surveillance architecture. Where previously open and easily monitored spaces were preferred, architects and urban planners are now designing cities with irregular, complex layouts that naturally limit long sight lines and large open spaces favorable to surveillance. This includes introducing winding streets, varying building heights and incorporating dense foliage. These designs not only impede the effectiveness of surveillance cameras but also enrich the urban environment in terms of aesthetics and biodiversity. By crafting urban spaces that inherently limit surveillance capabilities, architects are promoting a sense of security and freedom among city residents, thereby enhancing their mental well-being and fostering a sense of community autonomy.

Finally, with conversations about Smart Cities on the rise, incorporating secure communication and data networks within the urban infrastructure is a critical measure. This kind of integration, encompassing encrypted WiFi networks and secure data centers, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the digital aspect of residents’ lives. Encrypted WiFi networks, employing advanced cryptographic protocols, ensure that personal information transmitted over public networks is protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Images created by Architizer via Midjourney

Images created by Architizer via Midjourney

Secure data centers, functioning as the backbone of urban digital infrastructure, utilize robust security measures like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and physical security controls to safeguard sensitive data. This approach helps build a commitment to the digital rights and privacy of urban residents. In smart cities, where digital connectivity is as fundamental as physical infrastructure, these secure networks and data centers are indispensable. They provide a shield against unwarranted surveillance and data theft.

These architectural and urban planning strategies represent a shift in how cities are soon to be designed and experienced. They are not ways to evade the gaze of surveillance cameras that will be celebrated by criminals; they are ways to create urban environments that respect and protect individual privacy, promote social equity and strive to foster a sense of community and well-being. By focusing on these broader societal benefits, architects and urban planners can address the concern of surveillance and can also contribute to the creation of more humane, dynamic and livable urban spaces.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletters.

Reference

From Suburbs to Hubs: Innovation Districts Usher In a New Era of Urban Planning
CategoriesArchitecture

From Suburbs to Hubs: Innovation Districts Usher In a New Era of Urban Planning

By Zarkon Group,

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

In the heart of Tampere, Finland, the Hiedanranta Innovation Bay project is a shining example of urban transformation, challenging the conventional suburban model of isolated campuses without integrated housing or commercial areas. They represent multifaceted ecosystems encompassing research centers, universities, corporate offices, government agencies, healthcare facilities, cultural institutions and technology hubs. This diverse mix creates collaborative environments for interdisciplinary interactions, fostering creativity and advancing research and development. The inclusion of community spaces enhances engagement and shared amenities within these districts. Steering away from the conventional blueprint, these districts strategically leverage mass transit, emphasizing a departure from car-centric developments. Avoiding the trend of urban sprawl and fostering vibrant, community-centric urban living is a focal point.

However, the idyllic picture painted by innovative districts comes with challenges. Concerns like gentrification, the potential loss of a city’s unique character and rising housing costs accompany their development. As these districts attract investment and development, there is a risk of pushing out existing communities, altering the cultural fabric and contributing to rising property values. However, thoughtful urban planning and inclusive design strategies can address these concerns, ensuring that the benefits of innovation are shared equitably and that the district enhances rather than diminishes the overall quality of urban life.

Hiedanranta Innovation Bay

Hiedanranta Innovation Bay by Schauman & Nordgren Architects, Tampere, Finland.

There are proactive measures that local communities along with architects, planners, transportation specialists and environmental experts together can undertake to address these concerns. Engaging diverse stakeholders ensures a comprehensive approach that considers the needs, preferences and sustainability of the community, fostering a collaborative and inclusive urban development. The creation of ample public spaces, mixed-use development and initiatives for inclusive economic growth contribute to establishing a diverse and vibrant urban environment. Implementing smart transportation solutions further enhances accessibility, steering away from car-centric models. Through these strategic measures, professionals can transform innovation districts into positive contributors to communities, fostering economic growth, technological advancement and overall well-being.

The Hiedanranta Innovation Bay project in Tampere, Finland, aligns with the forward-thinking vision embraced by many cities aiming to integrate innovation districts into their urban landscape for the betterment of their economy, residents’ well-being, and environment. Upon completion, the Innovation Bay is set to accommodate over 25,000 new residents and generate 10,000 jobs. This transformation will convert the former industrial district into a dynamic innovation hub, emphasizing the principles of a circular economy and fostering sustainable development.

Metamorphosis in Steel City: The Assembly and Innovative Urban Living

In line with this transformative vision, another notable illustration is the project centered around Pittsburgh’s historic Ford Motor Plant. Undergoing a significant metamorphosis, this iconic site was reimagined as a hub for scientific research. The project encapsulates the essence of these evolving models of innovation districts, creating more integrated, sustainable, and vibrant communities.

The Assembly

The Assembly by ZGF Architects, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Photo by Halkin Mason Photography | Popular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Higher Education & Research Facilities 

The Assembly is the outcome of Pittsburgh’s historic Ford Motor Plant undergoing a transformation into a hub for scientific research, symbolizing a new era of innovation in the Steel City. Once part of the 31 Ford Motor Plants nationwide, this facility is now the home to the University of Pittsburgh and the Hillman Cancer Center, tailored for advanced cancer and immunology research. The building brings together academic researchers and private industry tenants in a central location.

The Assembly efficiently consolidates the elements of an innovation district within a single city block, incorporating ample amenity, retail, and conferencing space to attract top talent while benefiting tenants and the neighboring community. The district model prioritizes physical compactness and transit accessibility, reducing commuting barriers, and enabling researchers from different groups to easily connect. The incorporation of mixed-use spaces creates a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration beyond formal work settings.

Shaping Cities and Connecting Minds: The Hans Rosling Center’s Story

The positive impact of innovation districts extends beyond physical planning to encompass collaborative ecosystems. The interdisciplinary approach in their design brings together researchers from various fields, fostering a rich and diverse ecosystem that sparks innovative solutions and knowledge exchange. Adaptive workspaces cater to project-specific needs, enhancing the flexibility and responsiveness of the environment.

Illustrating the principles of innovation districts, The University of Washington’s Hans Rosling Center for Population Health stands as a compelling example of community-centric design that cultivates a sense of belonging, contributing to a collaborative spirit and facilitating the seamless flow of information among different research groups.

Hans Rosling Center for Population Health

Hans Rosling Center for Population Health by The Miller Hull Partnership, Seattle, Washington | Photo by Kevin Scott.

The University of Washington’s Hans Rosling Center for Population Health — named after a pioneer in the data-driven approach to health improvement — serves as a central hub for collaborative efforts among faculty, researchers and students. Endowed with a $210 million gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and $15 million from the Washington State Legislature, the center focuses on human health, environmental resilience, and social and economic equity. Housing the Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation (IHME), UW Department of Global Health, parts of the UW School of Public Health, and the offices of the UW Population Health Initiative, the center has played a crucial role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. IHME’s projections have informed policymakers, and researchers have shared insights with major media outlets.

Designed to accommodate system shocks like pandemics, the Rosling Center’s layout features a variety of flexible office types, organized as neighborhoods, catering to different working styles. From 1–2-person shared offices to open workstations, each neighborhood encourages collaboration and innovation. The building’s design also includes a new accessible entry, a monumental covered porch, and an urban staircase, creating a welcoming space for the community and fostering intermingling among diverse groups.

Paving the Way for Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Futures

ResilienCity: Boston's Innovation District

ResilienCity: Boston’s Innovation District by MapLab, inc. Boston, Massachusetts

Innovation districts are supplanting the traditional suburban model of corporate research and technology campuses by prioritizing denser, mixed-use environments and transit accessibility, fostering collaboration, connectivity, and innovation. Unlike isolated suburban campuses, these districts integrate mixed-use spaces, emphasizing sustainable practices and community engagement. This shift aims to optimize urban spaces, reduce commuting barriers, and create vibrant, dynamic hubs that contribute to a more sustainable and interconnected urban future. Architects, planners and city authorities can take proactive measures to mitigate concerns associated with innovation districts. By adopting such measures, stakeholders can contribute to the creation of innovation districts that not only drive economic growth and technological advancement but also enhance the overall well-being and inclusivity of urban communities.

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

Reference

33 Trailblazing Firms Leading the Globe Into a New Era of Architectural Design
CategoriesSustainable News

33 Trailblazing Firms Leading the Globe Into a New Era of Architectural Design

By Zarkon Group,

Architizer’s A+Awards Best Firm categories allow design firms of all sizes to showcase their practice and vie for the title of “World’s Best Architecture Firm”. Start an A+Firm Award Application today. 

Poised at the forefront of contemporary architecture, the following list of A+Award-winning practices features the firms behind some of the world’s most ground-breaking projects from the past 10 years. As winners of the Best Firm Categories, each office was judged based on the strength of their portfolios. Whether small or large in number, their trailblazing teams are producing considered, dynamic designs that push the bounds of traditional typologies and point the industry in exciting new directions for the future.

Start A+Awards Submission

The judging criteria for the A+Firm Awards program have been carefully formulated to cover a broad range of qualities, allowing jurors to come to a fair decision on which firms are delivering excellence in their respective fields. These standards are embodied by all of the winners on this list, many of whom share a holistic and socially engaged approach to design. Through their architectural work, these practices propose innovative solutions to complex local challenges while remaining cognizant of the global landscape. To this end, their portfolios articulate eloquent responses to the changing needs of the modern world, mindful of climate change, sustainability and inclusivity. Spread across six continents, these pioneering architecture and design practices around the world are ones to watch in 2023…

Best Firms In Asia

Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTS

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in Asia

Sakuragicho Residence by Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTSGoshikidai Forest Cemetery by Akira Koyama + KEY OPERATION INC. / ARCHITECTSFirm Location: Tokyo, Japan
Pictured Projects: Sakuragicho Residence, Yokohama, Japan ; Goshikidai Forest Cemetery, Kimino, Japan

Simplicity and innovation define the work of this Tokyo-based architectural firm. By balancing their clients’ needs with environmental, cultural and historic factors, they devise refined, forward-thinking solutions for every element of the design process, from building materials and construction methods to spatial organization.

Their expansive portfolio establishes them as accomplished all-rounders, spanning residential blocks, luxury penthouses, commercial spaces, medical buildings and even a striking contemporary cemetery.

KRIS YAO | ARTECH

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in Asia

Palace Museum, Southern Branch by KRIS YAO | ARTECHWuzhen Theater by KRIS YAO | ARTECHFirm Location: Taipei, Taiwan (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Palace Museum, Southern Branch, Chiayi City, Taiwan ; Wuzhen Theater, Zhejiang, China

With offices in Taipei and Shanghai, KRIS YAO | ARTECH was founded in 1985 and demonstrates an impressive mastery over an array of architectural typologies, ranging from commercial, cultural and educational spaces to residential and spiritual buildings.

The practice’s design philosophy balances a commitment to cutting-edge technology with an emphasis on emotive architectural schemes that harmonize with their environmental and cultural surroundings.

Best Firms In Australasia

Fearon Hay Architects

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in Australasia
Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Medium Firm (11-49 employees)

Bishop Selwyn Chapel by Fearon Hay ArchitectsFaraday Street Studio by Fearon Hay ArchitectsFirm Location: Auckland, New Zealand (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Bishop Selwyn Chapel, Auckland, New Zealand ; Faraday Street Studio, Auckland, New Zealand

Fusing creativity, design excellence and a sensitive consideration of place, Fearon Hay Architects’ team of experienced professionals tackles a diversity of projects across the world.

From their studios in Auckland and Los Angeles, they mastermind remarkable architectural responses to a wide scope of briefs encompassing hospitality, office and urban spaces, as well as private dwellings and religious structures.

Cumulus Studio

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in Australasia

Devil's Corner Cellar Door by Cumulus StudioCradle Mountain Visitor Centre by Cumulus StudioFirm Location: Tasmania, Australia (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Devil’s Corner Cellar Door, Apslawn, Australia ; Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre Tasmania, Australia

Collaboration is at the heart of this Australian architecture and interior design studio, which has offices in Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne and Adelaide. The practice’s architects, designers and operations team work collectively to explore the potential of each design, whether commercial or residential, contemplating its context and considering overlooked architectural perspectives.

This emphasis on open dialogue among the team, their clients, stakeholders and the community results in pioneering, inclusive designs that are respectful to all.

Best Firms In Central & South America

Studio MK27

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in Central & South America

Jungle House by Studio MK27Cultura Bookstore by Studio MK27Firm Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Pictured Projects: Jungle House, Guarujá, Brazil ; Cultura Bookstore, São Paulo, Brazil

Headquartered in vibrant São Paulo, Studio MK27 pays homage to Brazilian modernism, while reimagining this revered architectural movement through a contemporary lens. For the award-winning firm, formal simplicity and attention to detail are paramount, an acuteness that’s reflected in their exacting portfolio.

The practice’s defining projects span dynamic residential schemes that respect Brazil’s natural topography and striking commercial spaces, including bars, bookshops and vineyards, that offer an immersive architectural experience.

FGMF

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in Central & South America

Casa Sombrero by FGMFFEED Meat Market by FGMF
Firm Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Pictured Projects: Casa Sombrero, Campinas, Brazil ; FEED Meat Market, São Paulo, Brazil

Driven by a belief that architecture should reflect life and embrace plurality, heterogeneity and dynamism, this Brazilian practice is at the forefront of contemporary architecture. Their designs explore the connection between the built environment and its surroundings, utilizing state-of-the-art materials and construction techniques.

Ranging from an upscale meat market to a public school and a remarkable rooftop condo, their varied portfolio is united by a distinctive architectural voice, establishing them among the best architecture firms around the world.

Best Firms in Europe

Mecanoo

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in Europe

World Port Centre Rotterdam by MecanooNatural History Museum Abu Dhabi by MecanooFirm Location: Delft, Netherlands (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: World Port Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands ; Natural History Museum, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo was founded in 1984 and has an exceptional collection of forward-thinking projects under their belt. The practice’s schemes are shaped by the trifactor of people, place and purpose. This guiding philosophy considers the client and user’s requirements, the physical and cultural environment and the present and future functions of a building.

Sustainability is a key consideration in the fabric of their designs, along with an emphasis on flexible spaces that can shift and evolve to accommodate changing needs in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Roark Studio

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in Europe

Nowe Kolibki by Roark StudioPier of the Future by Roark StudioFirm Location: Sopot, Poland
Pictured Projects: Nowe Kolibki, Gdynia, Poland ; Pier of the Future, Gdynia, Poland (Concept)

This innovative Poland-based architecture studio works across a diverse range of typologies, from public piers, community spaces and educational buildings to multi-unit residential developments.

The firm’s holistic projects are informed by the tenets of neuroarchitecture, imbuing their designs with emotive value and prioritizing the health and well-being of those who inhabit the structures and their wider urban locales.

Best Firms in North America

MGA | MICHAEL GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in North America

Oregon State University Forest Science Complex by MGA | MICHAEL GREEN ARCHITECTURECatalyst Building by MGA | MICHAEL GREEN ARCHITECTUREFirm Location: Vancouver, Canada
Pictured Projects: Oregon State University Forest Science Complex, Covallis, Oregon ; Catalyst Building, Spokane, Washington

Innovators in the field of sustainable design, MGA | MICHAEL GREEN ARCHITECTURE are lauded for their carbon-neutral buildings and pioneering timber construction techniques. Climate change and social change are key drivers that underlie their impressive portfolio, which has been recognized for a number of prestigious awards.

The Vancouver-based practice tackles a broad spectrum of projects across varying scales, including boutique interiors, architectural marquees, housing developments and large institutional buildings across Canada and beyond.

Montalba Architects

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in North America

Vertical Courtyard House by Montalba Architects, Inc.LR2 House by Montalba Architects, Inc.Firm Location: Los Angeles, California (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Vertical Courtyard House, Santa Monica, California ; LR2 House, Pasadena, California

They may be headquartered in Los Angeles, but this international practice has an impressive reach, with a portfolio of work stretching from the United States to Europe and the Middle East.

Encompassing commercial and residential spheres, their humanist approach to architectural design not only places special emphasis on the site requirements and clients’ needs, but also on the wider context beyond the development’s walls. The result is bold, socially conscious buildings that positively contribute to the built landscape.

Best Firm in Middle East & Africa

Studio Toggle

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in the Middle East & Africa
Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Young Firm

Ternion by Studio ToggleEdges Al Barouk by Studio ToggleFirm Location: Salmiya, Kuwait (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Ternion, Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait ; Edges Al Barouk, Salmiya, Kuwait

With far-reaching expertise across commercial, residential, public and hospitality architecture, as well as interior design, Studio Toggle’s approach is shaped by their commitment to logic and problem-solving. However, their precise and considered schemes also embrace the unexpected.

Founded in 2012 and based in Kuwait City and Porto, the firm’s impactful portfolio of projects is defined by a careful balance of antitheses. Their philosophy is that form follows function, simplicity is complex and even chaos can be organized.

HQ Architects

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best in the Middle East & Africa

Fein 1 Central by HQ Architects
Bus Terminal Petach Tikva by HQ ArchitectsFirm Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Pictured Projects: Fein 1 Central, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel ; Bus Terminal Petach Tikva, Israel (Concept)

Based in Tel Aviv, HQ Architects revel in challenging tradition. Interrogating and reimagining conventional typologies, their subversive stance leads to surprising structures and urban spaces that push the boundaries of modern architecture in Israel and beyond.

While their perspective is playful, the 35-strong team is dedicated to delivering quality designs, an assurance that’s upheld by rigorous technical expertise and creative building solutions.

Best Interior Design Firms

Fyra

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Interior Design Firm

Bardem by FyraNew Nordic School by the Sea by FyraFirm Location: Helsinki, Finland
Pictured Projects: Bardem, Helsinki, Finland ; New Nordic School by the Sea, Helsinki, Finland

Founded back in 2010, this Helsinki-based interior design agency creates bespoke, immersive spaces where people and community take center stage. Fyra’s striking projects embody the values of their clients while bringing their own distinct perspective to each design.

Their varied portfolio extends across office, retail, hotel, restaurant and educational environments, as well as a range of cross-sectional ventures. The company’s bold, decisive schemes are underpinned by a commitment to sustainability and a strong emphasis on cooperation between the team and the businesses and individuals they work with.

PANORAMA Design Group

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Interior Design Firm

KidsWinshare Plus by PANORAMA Design GroupOneJee Hotel by PANORAMA Design GroupFirm Location: Hong Kong, China
Pictured Projects: KidsWinshare Plus, Chengdu, China ; OneJee Hotel, Shenzhen, China

Spatial storytelling is at the forefront of this playful interior design practice. Headquartered in Hong Kong and with offices across China, the firm has extensive experience curating projects for the hospitality, retail and wellness industries, as well as vibrant child-friendly spaces.

Revising conventional typologies, PANORAMA Design Group balances locational and economic factors with their signature vibrant style to conjure up unique and unconventional schemes for every size and function of space.

Best Landscape Design Firms

TROP

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Landscape Design Firm

Under the Ficus Shade by TROPBotanica Khao Yai by TROPFirm Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Pictured Projects: Under the Ficus Shade : Garden for Ad Lib Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand ; Botanica Khao Yai, Pak Chong, Thailand

This architectural landscape design studio has been innovating remarkable projects across Asia since 2007. TROP’s pioneering portfolio ranges from design-forward public parks to biophilic hotels, commercial spaces and installations, along with residences rooted in organic materials and natural topography.

The firm believes the design process is as vital as the design itself. To this end, their team of designers and construction supervisors foster close relationships with each client, articulating complex projects from inception to realization.

ASPECT Studios

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Landscape Design Firm

The Urban Gallery at Hyperlane by ASPECT StudiosPrahran Square by ASPECT StudiosFirm Location: Melbourne, Australia (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: The Urban Gallery at Hyperlane, Chengdu, China ; Prahran Square, Melbourne, Australia

Encompassing an international team of landscape architects, urban designers and strategists, ASPECT Studios prides themselves on designing projects that benefit the community and the natural environment.

Their specialism is crafting intuitive public spaces and using their profound understanding of this typology — its uses and tension points — to inform their creative and technical processes. The result is memorable landscape design projects that fuse function and fun, dynamic architecture across public parks, plazas, coastal walkways and busy city streets.

Best Large Firms

Zaha Hadid Architects

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Large Firm (50+ employees)

Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre by Zaha Hadid ArchitectsKing Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre by Zaha Hadid ArchitectsFirm Location: London, United Kingdom (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre, Zhuhai, China ; King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Known the world over, the extensive portfolio of Zaha Hadid Architects extends across the globe, broaching every architectural sector, including commercial, corporate, residential, educational and cultural buildings.

Their distinctive futuristic aesthetic is immediately recognizable, defined by curvaceous volumes, organic forms, undulating lines, severe angles and stark materials, including concrete, glass and steel. The firm’s ground-breaking designs are at once bold and dramatic, and acutely responsive to the surrounding environment.

Killa Design

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Large Firm (50+ employees)

Museum of the Future by Killa DesignBoutique Resort by Killa DesignFirm Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Pictured Projects: Museum of the Future, Dubai, United Arab Emirates ; Boutique Resort, Oman (Concept)

Located in Dubai, Killa Design seeks to shrug off architectural methodologies of the past and tackle each project as a new opportunity for innovation. Sustainability and contextual sensitivity are at the heart of the firm’s designs, which negotiate social and environmental responsibilities with an uncompromising commitment to high-quality constructions.

Dedicated to creating spaces that enrich the user experience, their areas of expertise span hospitality, corporate and residential, as well as museums, cultural buildings, urban design and master planning projects.

Best Medium Firms

Duvall Decker

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Medium Firm (11-49 employees)

New U.S. Courthouse by Duvall DeckerThe Selah House by Duvall DeckerFirm Location: Jacksonville, Mississippi
Pictured Projects: New U.S. Courthouse, Greenville, Mississippi ; The Selah House, Malvern, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1998, Duvall Decker is committed to creating exceptional spaces that promote the well-being of those who inhabit them and improve the quality of the built environment.

Combining design acumen with technical expertise, their talented team works across an array of typologies, from residential and interior projects to educational, religious, commercial and municipal structures, as well as master plans. No matter their client’s needs or budget, the firm’s goal is to deliver architecture that endures in both material and memory.

Best Small Firms

Chiangmai Life Architects

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Small Firm (1-10 employees)

Panyaden Secondary School by Chaingmai Life ArchitectsBamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School by Chaingmai Life ArchitectsFirm Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Pictured Projects: Panyaden Secondary School, Chiang Mai, Thailand ; Bamboo Sports Hall at Panyaden International School, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Northern Thailand-based Chiangmai Life Architects are striving to bring organic sustainable design into the 21st century. Championing bamboo and earth, the firm creates striking architectural buildings fit for modern life, including residences, schools and meditation centers.

Their portfolio pays homage to natural construction materials, from rammed-earth buildings to exquisitely intricate bamboo roof structures. These sustainable resources are paired with cutting-edge technology to help combat issues such as pollution, as well as ensuring projects have a minimal carbon footprint.

The Design Institute Of Landscape & Architecture China Academy Of Art CO.,LTD

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Small Firm (1-10 employees)
Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Cultural Firm

Boat Rooms on the Fuchun River by The Design Institute of Landscape & Architecture China Academy of ArtCity Lounge of Zhongshan Road by The Design Institute of Landscape & Architecture China Academy of ArtFirm Location: Hangzhou, China
Pictured Projects: Boat Rooms on the Fuchun River, Hangzhou, China ; City Lounge of Zhongshan Road, Jiaxing, China

From orchestrating the master plan of a village to delivering exceptional residences, renovation projects and stand-out hospitality spaces across China, this architecture firm has overseen a varied collection of schemes across a range of sectors.

Headquartered in Hangzhou in the east of China, the practice delivers structures that harmonize with both the natural and built environment. Inspiration is sought from the surrounding landscapes as well as traditional Chinese vernacular architecture, which is elevated by modern construction techniques.

Best Sustainable Firms

The Miller Hull Partnership

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Sustainable Firm

The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design by The Miller Hull PartnershipLoom House by The Miller Hull PartnershipFirm Location: Seattle, Washington (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, Atlanta, Georgia ; Loom House, Bainbridge Island, Washington

Sustainable architecture is a key tenet of The Miller Hull Partnership’s mission statement. With studios in Seattle and San Diego, the pioneering firm seeks to understand the power of nature through their work, embracing passive systems and locally sourced materials in their projects.

Connection with the natural world is central to the practice’s architectural process, whether it’s applied across domestic, educational or civic contexts. Paired with an emphasis on cooperation and problem-solving, they deliver innovative and unexpected spaces that serve occupants and the wider environment.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Sustainable Firm

Wild Mile by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank Headquarters by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)Firm Location: New York City, New York (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Wild Mile, Chicago, Illinois (Concept) ; Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank Headquarters, Shenzhen, China

Across a diverse portfolio that encompasses a floating eco-park, transport terminals, cultural hubs, commercial towers and refined residences, plus a cathedral and even a naval training base, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) establish themselves as impressive all-rounders.

Sustainable strategies are part of the firm’s architectural DNA, seen through the inclusion of powerful insulation, glazing, energy-efficient lighting and biophilic solutions. The masterminds behind an array of environmentally advanced structures and developments, their projects are designed to adapt to future changes in the ways we live, work and communicate, resulting in remarkable spaces that are built to endure.

Best Young Firms

Jonathan Burlow

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Young Firm

Over the Edge by Jonathan BurlowOver the Edge by Jonathan BurlowFirm Location: Folkstone, United Kingdom
Pictured Project: Over the Edge, Kent, United Kingdom

Founded in 2018, this emerging practice is already making waves on the architectural landscape. The firm’s design philosophy is anchored by a commitment to both problem-solving and exceptional artistry, ensuring a harmonious balance between these dual priorities.

The studio is based in Kent, however, the founder’s diverse cultural background informs the company’s unique architectural perspective. Consequently, the team celebrates and experiments with global notions of place, society and convention across their broad scope of projects.

Best Young Interior Design Firms

L&M Design Lab

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Young Interior Design Firm

Mirror Bridge by L&M Design Lab Wondering in the woods by L&M Design Lab Firm Location: Shanghai, China (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Mirror Bridge, Shanghai, China ; Wandering in the woods, Xiamen, China

L&M Design Lab was named after the firm’s guiding mantra: logic is magic. Their team channels their creativity and curiosity into innovative, purposeful designs that offer exciting new iterations of conventional typologies.

Specializing in architectural, interior and urban design, the practice was founded in 2013 in Shanghai. The firm has since brought their dynamic viewpoint to bear on a range of built environments, from residential spaces to stand-out commercial offices and playful educational structures.

WIT Design & Research

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Young Interior Design Firm

Dong Fureng House Museum by WIT Design & ResearchJetlag Books Pop-up Store by WIT Design & ResearchFirm Location: Beijing, China
Pictured Projects: Dong Fureng House Museum, China ; Jetlag Books Pop-up Store, Beijing, China

This Beijing-based firm was started in 2015 and already has an impressive catalog of projects to show. WIT Design & Research demonstrates a masterful command over spatial design, incorporating a nuanced understanding of architecture and interior art to produce exceptional schemes.

Whether handling the sensitive renovation of a historic listed building or designing a futuristic installation for the retail sphere, they showcase a deft negotiation of materials.

Best Commercial Firms

X+LIVING

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Commercial Firm

Deji Plaza Phase I, Floor 6 Washroom by X+LIVINGNew Century Magic Hotel by X+LIVINGFirm Location: Shanghai, China
Pictured Projects: Deji Plaza Phase I, Floor 6 Washroom, Nanjing, China ; New Century Magic Hotel, Huzhou, China

Leaders in commercial design, X+LIVING rips up the rule book on spatial archetypes with their theatrical and experimental approach. Graphic lines, bold geometries and Escher-inspired aesthetics set their vibrant portfolio apart from the crowd. The result is deeply immersive spaces imbued with a whimsical sense of wonder.

While creativity and storytelling may be at the forefront of the firm’s practice, they’re matched with a staunch commitment to utility, delivering an artful combination of functionality and fancifulness.

Various Associates

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Commercial Firm

SND Taikoo Li Qiantan by Various Associates HAYDON Shanghai by Various Associates Firm Location: Shenzhen, China
Pictured Projects: SND Taikoo Li Qiantan, Beijing, China ; HAYDON Shanghai, Shanghai China

With a distinguished portfolio encompassing a variety of high-end projects, from boutique hotels, restaurants and retail schemes, to offices, installations and exhibition spaces, Various Associates brings a holistic perspective to commercial design.

Their projects demonstrate a mindful consideration of both spatial practicalities and brand values, while respecting wider locational context. By translating elements of environmental and cultural histories into the vernacular of modern architecture, the firm creates landmark schemes that respond to their surroundings while furthering the narrative in radical ways.

Best Cultural Firms

Tabanlioglu Architects

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Cultural Firm

Ataturk Cultural Center by Tabanlioglu Architects Dakar Congress Center by Tabanlioglu Architects Firm Location: Istanbul, Turkey (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Ataturk Cultural Center, Istanbul, Turkey ; Dakar Congress Center, Dakar, Senegal

Headquartered in Istanbul but with studios in Dubai, Doha and New York City, Tabanlioglu Architects has an impressive international reach. While the firm may have a global presence, they react to the social and physical landscapes of each project individually, ensuring that they add value to the surrounding localities.

Their portfolio includes a diversity of important public, cultural and municipal buildings, including community centers, shopping centers, a library and even an airport terminal. The practice’s visionary approach doesn’t sacrifice sustainability in the name of style either, with a vehement emphasis on sustainable practices.

Best Public Projects Firms

NADAAA

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Public Projects Firm

Adams Street Branch Library by NADAAAMelbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne by NADAAAFirm Location: Boston, Massachusetts (Headquarters, with offices elsewhere)
Pictured Projects: Adams Street Branch Library, Boston, Massachusetts ; Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Innovation is at the center of this Boston-based design firm. Steeped in a collaborative culture, the practice challenges the norms of the construction industry and devises new ways to build across projects of all scales, from public infrastructure ventures to bespoke fixtures and furnishings.

While their work bridges different industrial spheres, they’ve masterminded a succession of remarkable public schemes. The firm’s research-driven designs are ever cognizant of the end user, oriented to accommodate community dialogues and motivate public participation in the public realm.

SBM Studio

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Public Projects Firm

Sarzhyn Yar by SBM StudioHouse in Kharkiv by SBM StudioFirm Location: Kharkiv, Ukraine
Pictured Projects: Sarzhyn Yar, Kharkiv, Ukraine ; House in Kharkiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine

The connection between people and the landscapes they inhabit, whether cultural, social or environmental, is key to the work of SBM Studio. Encouraging this discourse through architecture and landscape design, the firm creates meaningful spaces, reinforced by cutting-edge technology and construction techniques.

While they have extensive experience working across the commercial and residential sectors, the dynamic practice has been shifting its gaze to public projects, endeavoring to improve the built environment and punctuate city topographies with communal natural spaces.

Best Residential Firms

PETITDIDIERPRIOUX

Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Residential Firm

Athletes’ Village Olympic Games 2024 by PETITDIDIERPRIOUX152 Housing Units by PETITDIDIERPRIOUXFirm Location: Paris, France
Pictured Projects: Athletes’ Village Olympic Games 2024, L’lle-Saint-Denis, France ; 152 Housing Units, Villeurbanne, France

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Paris, PETITDIDIERPRIOUX has built up an impressive portfolio across public and private typologies. Their scope includes new multi-unit residences, office buildings, public developments and renovation projects across France and beyond.

Notably, the 35-strong team is designing a number of residential buildings for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games athletes’ village. Still under construction, the ambitious project has been devised with adaptability in mind. Following the Olympics, the structures will be repurposed as public housing and assimilated into the city’s established landscape.

Sanjay Puri Architects

Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Best Residential Firm

Studios 90 by Sanjay Puri ArchitectsNirvana 63 by Sanjay Puri ArchitectsFirm Location: Mumbai, India
Pictured Projects: Studios 90, Kodla, India ; The Street, Mathura, India

Sustainability and respect for the local environment inform the design ethos of this Mumbai-based firm. Sanjay Puri Architects delivers pioneering spaces and structures that exist in harmony with their surroundings. Consequently, their projects offer creative responses to contextual challenges, addressing hot climates with innovative architectural solutions and construction methods.

Founded in 1992, the practice’s catalog of work is wide-ranging, spanning master planning projects, schools, hospitality buildings, retail and office structures and ambitious multi-unit housing developments, all executed with an unwavering commitment to energy efficiency.

Architizer’s A+Awards Best Firm categories allow design firms of all sizes to showcase their practice and vie for the title of “World’s Best Architecture Firm”. Start an A+Firm Award Application today. 

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Reference

Drawing Isn’t Dead: How Architectural Sketching Can Thrive in the Digital Era
CategoriesArchitecture

Drawing Isn’t Dead: How Architectural Sketching Can Thrive in the Digital Era

By Zarkon Group,

The long-held debate of hand drawing vs. computer-aided design may never come to a close, and in many ways, the conversation has only become more confounding with the plethora of computerized tools now on the market today. This debate sees a split down the line, with many continuing to champion hand drawing while others advocating for the huge benefits of working with digital graphics. James Wines, a big proponent of hand drawing, speculates that the reluctance of some to embrace digital mediums has to do with a “deep-seated psychological resistance to the cybernetic world.”

Despite the broad range of opinions and beliefs within the architectural profession, the overriding consensus is that both drawing styles have a place within the design world, and that their coexistence is totally possible. There are benefits and downsides to both: for example, the precision found in digital tools is unbeatable, whereas, the slower process of hand-drawing can encourage a deep understanding of form and ideas. Whatever your preference, designers can undoubtedly benefit from products that blend pen and paper-style sketching with advanced digital tools. Cerulean Labs has developed one such solution to this unremitting debate: The Spaces iPad app.

Whether it be drawn or digitally designed, the forefront of a successful project is the initial drawing that brings an idea to life. Accordingly, Cerulean Labs’ Spaces version 2.2 app continues the brand’s maintained effort of improving the conceptual design stage. The beauty of an app like Spaces is its merging of old-school sketching with modern-day technology. Pen and paper lovers don’t have to say goodbye to their trusted hand-held tool — they simply have to say hello to the Apple Pencil.

The Spaces app is built entirely for the iPad, meaning users can sketch directly on the iPad’s smooth interface. Users do not have to sacrifice the tactility, freedom and speed of hand drawing; in fact, they gain a dynamic set of new capabilities. While users sketch, the app works behind the scenes to create a workable building model.

“From the outset, sketching has been in our DNA, and the further we have developed Spaces, the more power we’ve been able to add to our sketching engine.” – Campbell Yule, Spaces Founder 

The Spaces app encourages the traditional method: draw, revise, keep and throw away. Many conceptual design tools on the market require a certain familiarity with modeling, which makes the drawing experience far less fluid and natural. The Spaces app mimics hand-drawing by allowing users to sketch as they please, deleting what they don’t like and saving what they do. While users sketch away, real-time building and site data is being calculated, reported and projected as a workable model. If a user changes an angle or slope, the app automatically resizes the plan and provides updated calculations and measurements. The app does all the work so that users can tap into their creative minds and draw.

Once drawn, users benefit from a series of parametric design tools. Architects can add cladding, leverage the app’s Open Street Map data or elevate their project using precise sun studies among other tools. The conceptual phase – especially when drawing by hand – is an iterative process, and this app celebrates the beauty of trial and error.

The app’s numerous settings and features can all be managed quickly and swiftly, allowing the designer to focus on their creative ideas rather than the technology. Hand-drawing advocates often complain that navigating technology poses an unwelcoming distraction from the design process. Thankfully, the Spaces app’s clear and simple interface poses little distraction from sketching.

The app’s new digital sketchbook feature allows users to document their ideas as they traditionally would on tracing paper. Whenever and wherever an idea comes to mind, designers can document a note or sketch directly on the app. Equally, creatives can embellish and rework their designs by tracing over their models using the Apple pencil. Designers can even send snapshots of their models to the sketchbook and rework their design at their own pace. The app revives the incredibly useful tool of trace paper, but makes it more efficient, precise and hassle-free.

Once sketched and modeled, designers can then leverage the app’s project management tools. Spaces comes with tools to organize design briefs, create reports and develop project concepts directly on the app. Users can even import key site data onto the app to ensure their concept design is as precise and well-planned as possible. The Spaces app delivers professional results while not compromising creativity and fluidity.

Spaces champions architecture’s oldest tools, a pen and paper, and integrates them perfectly into a straightforward app suitable for all architects and designers. If you remain to be convinced by sketching in the digital age, give the Spaces App a go and see for yourself. The Spaces app celebrates the nonlinear nature of conceptual design by encouraging exploration and creativity, and is set to become one of the industry’s go-to applications as a result.

Reference