Entradas

30 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Iran

These annual rankings were last updated on August 22nd, 2024. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking.

Iran is the second largest country in the Middle East. It is vastly characterized by its diverse cultural heritage and history and distinct landscape topology. After becoming an independent country in 1979, Iranian architects had to find ways to preserve this vivid historical fabric while also satisfying society’s growing needs. The country also holds a strategic geographical position and valuable natural resources, which, unfortunately, has led to many geopolitical and economic challenges. In this context, architecture played a definitive role, especially under the umbrella of cultural and environmental sustainability.

Responding to the vastly changing urban and natural landscapes as well as the water scarcity and desertification, Iranian architects have prioritized topographically as well as socially impactful architectural designs that aid local communities. Currently, their designs are a blend of tradition and modernity that has introduced a new, contemporary layer to Iranian architecture, while operating at the highest levels of sustainable design.

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

How are these architecture firms ranked?

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

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

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

Without further ado, here are the 30 best architecture firms in Iran:


30. ArmaniArchitects

© ArmaniArchitects

© ArmaniArchitects

?rmani ?rchitects is an innovative multidisciplinary collaborative practice founded by Amir Armani Asl and Kiana Ghader that focuses on architecture, interior design, landscape design, custom fabrication, parametric design and design objects.

Some of ArmaniArchitects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped ArmaniArchitects achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 5

29. Boozhgan Architectural Studio

© Boozhgan Architectural Studio

© Boozhgan Architectural Studio

Boozhgan Architectural Studio was established in 2007 and is based in Tehran. Their work revolves around residential architecture.

Some of Boozhgan Architectural Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Boozhgan Architectural Studio achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 11

28. FEASTUDIO

© FEASTUDIO

© FEASTUDIO

The office of “Fundamental Architectural Experience” [FEASTUDIO] was founded by Arash Nasiri and Ensieh Khamse in 2006. The office has tried so far to achieve a consistent, coherent language in their work based on their progressive experiences and the relations between the ideas and the work, a distinctive language by which to avoid architectural production being merely in the line of exigency and to push boundaries in order to let creativity and active, multilateral strategies in.

Some of FEASTUDIO’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped FEASTUDIO achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 2

27. Cedrus Studio

© Cedrus Studio

© Cedrus Studio

Cedrus is a Tehran-based, research-driven design and construction studio founded by Mohammad Mehdi Saeedi in 2017. The studio supported by a passionate team of skilled architects, landscape architects and interior designers. The studio’s projects range from single-family villas to residential, commercial and mixed-use large-scale complexes.

Some of Cedrus Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Cedrus Studio achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 14

26. KOUROSH RAFIEY Architectural Design Studio(KRDS)

© KOUROSH RAFIEY Architectural Design Studio(KRDS)

© KOUROSH RAFIEY Architectural Design Studio(KRDS)

Kourosh Rafiey Architectural Design Studio is a full architectural and engineering services firm practicing on the study to producing work of lasting value. Kourosh Rafiey founded KRDS in 2006 motivated to design quality. Before that he was design director of Asar Consultant Engineers’ Co. since 1997 and practice as an independent designer. He had many works constructed & currently under construction; some of which have received national and international recognition. Examples of his works are published either online or in international magazines such as AD. The scope of work concerns the adjustment of all stages of design and technical expertise to oversee construction.

Some of KOUROSH RAFIEY Architectural Design Studio(KRDS)’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped KOUROSH RAFIEY Architectural Design Studio(KRDS) achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 3

25. TDC office

© TDC office

© TDC office

Sara Kalantary and Reza Sayadian are practicing architects who founded TDC Office in 2002. What differentiates them is the answers they give to the world around them, and a humble view, yet critical is easily traced in their works. Such view can be observed in numerous projects where unique solutions are rendered compared to typical methods of design and construction.

Respect for human being and habitat, and a constant search for finding appropriate ideas, are based on the fact that creating a world full of unique recommendations can alter people’s deduction towards possible phenomena.

For them, architecture is a dynamic phenomenon. They look at it as part of the city so that it can create memories. Dynamic presence of human in the city and home, as well as the flow of life in them are the most invaluable part of creating a space which insinuate that architecture is the way to embrace the world.

Sarah and Reza’s works, with their unique approach and ideas, have managed to win several international as well as national awards. Students as well as university professors have also taken notice of their work, both inside and outside the country. Such occurrences have resulted in their works being published in many authentic books and magazines all around the world.

Some of TDC office’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped TDC office achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 2

24. ReNa Design

© Reza Najafian

© Reza Najafian

Founded in 2012, ReNa Design is a young architectural group active in design, architecture and research. The office is primarily concerned with issues of functionality and context. This approach is easily seen through the firm’s projects, ranging in different categories and types. ReNa Design pays a great amount of attention and care to materials and construction technology which are in turn applied to completely innovative and non-conventional conditions. Since its inception, ReNa Design has won many national awards and competitions in fields of architecture, design and interior design.

Some of ReNa Design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped ReNa Design achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 3

23. Arsh4d Studio

© Arsh4d Studio

© Arsh4d Studio

Arsh4d Studio has been founded by Alireza Sherafati & Pantea Eslami in 2012 to provide full range of architectural services to both the public and private sectors. Alireza Sherafati & Pantea Eslami were previously the founding partner of the ARSH DESIGN STUDIO. In the work of Arsh4d, environmentally conscious design has become an integral consideration in the formulation of architectural ideas and in the spatial experience embodied in each completed project.

Some of Arsh4d Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Arsh4d Studio achieve 23rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

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

22. ayeneh office

© ayeneh office

© ayeneh office

Architects of the Ayeneh Office believe that architecture like a mirror should reflect the context or the surrounding environment in the general sense. Context in this regard refers to the setting that a project begins to happen. Architecture welcomes the good way of living in a place and accepts its goodness. In other words, architecture, in one sense, acts as mirror to reflect the life of its context, and broadly speaking, it even reflects many features of the context (such as technology, crafting skills, economics, politics, crafting duration, and culture). The approach and design method in the Ayeneh office is to delve into the heart of both the subject and the place in order to reflect or increase their desirability. We try to excavate the project subject – which is the life that is going to flow in it –as well as its location to find the initial concepts shaping the design, and then epitomize it in our architecture.

Some of ayeneh office’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped ayeneh office achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 3

21. Alidoost & Partners

© Alidoost & Partners

© Alidoost & Partners

Founded and directed by Shahab Alidoost and Sona Eftekharazam, Alidoost and Partners is a multidisciplinary office that focuses on architecture and design, from large scale planning to furniture. Rich with multiple expertises, our office is fuelled by talented designers and experienced architects that jointly develop projects from early sketches to on-site supervision. All of which, regardless of scale, outlines an approach that is affirmatively social in its outcome, enthusiastic in its ambition and professional in its process. At the core of our architecture is the ability to take a fresh look at design issues through experienced eyes. Our approach aims at turning intense research and analysis of practical and theoretical matters into the driving forces of design. By continuously developing rigorous methods of analysis and execution, Alidoost & Partners is able to combine innovative thinking and efficient production.

We work with corporate, government and private clients in numerous countries to realize major civic, hotel, residential, office, commercial and educational developments. We carefully limit the commissions we take on to help ensure a high degree of professional attention and overall project quality. Alidoost &Partners envisions itself as a proactive partner for its client, rather than a consultant. The office has a wide portfolio of international work and the attitude of involving external consultants to improve the design intelligence of a given project team. The use of complementing teams ensures that a project will never suffer from being neither too conventional nor too naive.

Some of Alidoost & Partners’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Alidoost & Partners achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 12

20. HABIBEH MADJDABADI Architecture Studio

© HABIBEH MADJDABADI Architecture Studio

© HABIBEH MADJDABADI Architecture Studio

HABIBEH MADJDABADI, born in 1977, is an Iranian architect, author, designer, and speaker. In 2002 she graduated by a Master’s degree in architecture from Azad University of Tehran and started her professional career in 2003 by establishing her design studio in Tehran right after winning first prize in the design competition of restoring a historical building (belonging to Zand dynasty) in Iran. Since then she has received several awards and recognitions, among which are: shortlisted for Aga Khan Award 2016 and Tamayouz Women in Architecture and Construction Award 2019, winner of Chicago Award 2014, Worldwide Brick Award 2014, and MEMAR Award 2014.

Some of HABIBEH MADJDABADI Architecture Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped HABIBEH MADJDABADI Architecture Studio achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 13

19. BRACKET DESIGN STUDIO

© BRACKET DESIGN STUDIO

© BRACKET DESIGN STUDIO

Bracket Design Studio is a full-service design firm founded in 2006 by Shervin Hosseini. We offer services in urban design, interior space planning, furniture design and architecture from micro to macro scale. Our highly collaborative staff comes from wide-ranging theoretical and practical backgrounds, including designing, scripting, planning and construction of public and private projects. Offering innovative insights, materials and technology into our projects, we strongly consider the available possibilities of the site and the needs of clients in order to find the best solutions by constantly revising and redefining the projects. Each project, for us, entails its own singular approach which is essentially developed out of experience and intuition.

Some of BRACKET DESIGN STUDIO’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped BRACKET DESIGN STUDIO achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 47

18. KanLan [Kamran Heirati, Tallan Khosravizadeh]

© KanLan [Kamran Heirati, Tallan Khosravizadeh]

© KanLan [Kamran Heirati, Tallan Khosravizadeh]

Kamran Heirati Architects was established to enhance the architecture and human experience by incorporating Iran’s authentic culture into its designs and respond to today’s community challenges. Established in 2001, this office has produced award-winning architectural and interior design projects across Iran and other countries.

Some of KanLan [Kamran Heirati, Tallan Khosravizadeh]’s most prominent projects include:

A+Awards Finalist ”1″
Featured Projects ”3″
Total Projects ”4″
” ITEM_POSITION=”18th” TITLE=”30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran”]


17. BonnArq Architects

© BonnArq Architects

© BonnArq Architects

Behzad Atabaki has founded “Behzad Atabaki Studio” in 1999 and also co-founded “BonnArq Architects” in 2014 which both are recognized for their works in art, architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture. Winning the first prize in the competition, together with Parshia Qaregozloo, he has been the co-curator of the Iran Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale 2016. In 2019 he has won “ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR” at Middle East Architect Awards.

Believing in the multidisciplinary approach to architecture and urbanism, Behzad Atabaki has earned three master’s degrees in three interrelated fields of “architecture” in 1998, “urban design” in 2002, and “landscape architecture” in 2006. From 2010, he has been teaching “architecture design” regularly at University.

Some of BonnArq Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped BonnArq Architects achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

Featured Projects 4
Total Projects 6

16. KA architecture studio (Mohammad Khavarian studio)

© KA architecture studio (Mohammad Khavarian studio)

© KA architecture studio (Mohammad Khavarian studio)

Mohammad Khavarian has a team of seventy plus Iranian architects and designers working together worldwide. Through its intensely involved and focused practice, Mohammad Khavarian applies critical thinking to a process that extends beyond the boundaries of architectural production to realize specific and unexpected solutions. It seeks to engage people and cultures, technologies and materials, psychologies and experiences, and recognizes architecture as a connective and fundamentally social construct. Architecture is imagined as a matrix of hybrid narratives from which to construct future realities — conceptual, spatial and experiential — and a rigorous search for new potentials to realize specific unexpected solutions inhabited by the lives of people and cities.

Some of KA architecture studio (Mohammad Khavarian studio)’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped KA architecture studio (Mohammad Khavarian studio) achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 4
Total Projects 6

15. 35-51 ARCHITECTURE Office

© 35-51 ARCHITECTURE Office

© 35-51 ARCHITECTURE Office

35-51ARCHITECTURE Office is an award-winning architecture and landscape design firm. Our team of skilled specialists brings expertise in merging artistry with functionality, ensuring every project stands out for its unique vision. Our approach tries to reflect a harmonious balance between international design standards and a deep understanding of the specific needs and cultural nuances of the local environment.

Some of 35-51 ARCHITECTURE Office’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped 35-51 ARCHITECTURE Office achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 5
Total Projects 3

14. RYRA Studio

© RYRA Studio

© RYRA Studio

RYRA Design and construction studio was founded in 2000 with a goal of creating unique spaces by using new aspects of contemporary architecture. It seeks to develop designs that encompass in an expressive way the spatial needs, the spirit of the location and the constructive solution of the project. Artistic view is a key factor in RYRA design approach.

The work of RYRA in these years resulted in a collection of varied types in different fields of architecture which have been widely published and exhibited; this firm won several prizes in the most prestigious competitions held in Iran and abroad for its innovative designs.
Vali-Asr building of this studio has been selected as the best office building of the year in World Architecture Festival in 2010.

Some of RYRA Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped RYRA Studio achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 2
Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 5

13. Rvad Studio

© Rvad Studio

© Rvad Studio

RVAD Architecture Studio is co-founded in Tehran, Iran in 2020 by two young Iranian architects, Ms. Hannaneh Misaghi and Mr. Hasan Dehghanpour. The studio’s design ideals are focused on extending the relationship between architecture and humanity with consideration of history and culture so as to produce designs appropriate for each site and in service of both the society and its citizens. RVAD Studio aims to present architectural solutions focused on the needs of future generations and their potential in view of each project’s benefit to present a new perspective on social relationships. The design projects range from single-family houses to residential, commercial and mixed-use large-scale complexes, to urban master plans.

Some of Rvad Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Rvad Studio achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

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

12. Davood Boroojeni Office

© Davood Boroojeni Office

© Davood Boroojeni Office

As a technically competent architecture firm with over 15 years of professional experience, we have been involved in different stages of architectural projects including the conception of preliminary design ideas, schematic design and design development, as well as producing submittal packages, visual presentations, construction documents, layouts and details through close dialogue with clients, producers, and other engineers. We believe that our communication skills, public relations, and problem-solving experience, combined with our background in related software, and our ability to research, schedule, and coordinate design in various stages of the project, has made us a firm to depend on, and a key team member.

Some of Davood Boroojeni Office’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Davood Boroojeni Office achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 6

11. Admun Studio

© Admun Studio

© Admun Studio

Considering contemporary lifestyle requirements while having future in mind, We believe in Diagrammatic approaches toward tradition rather than formal repetition.

Some of Admun Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Admun Studio achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 2
Featured Projects 4
Total Projects 8

10. Marizad Architects

© Marizad Architects

© Marizad Architects

Marizad Architects bases its design process on the understanding of systems and relationships that are derived from the project criteria, translating these systems into computational parameters from which the design is developed. The practice is not only involved in large-scale architectural projects but product design and academia as well. However, all activities are based on a process of experimentation, discovery and implementation which encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and a bottom-up approach to design.

Some of Marizad Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Marizad Architects achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 3
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 7

9. AshariArchitects

© AshariArchitects

© AshariArchitects

Ashari Architects and Associates began its professional activities in the field of research, design and architectural education in 2005. The group approaches architectural practice with an experiential perspective in various domains. AshariArchitects designed and executed various projects in architecture, interior architecture, and landscape architecture, encompassing diverse functions such as residential, commercial, administrative, educational, cultural, industrial, and tourist projects, both on small and large scales. Product design and art installations are among the group’s secondary activities.

With the aim of creating projects that resonate with their time and context, the group strives to commit itself to maintaining the cycle of social, economic, and environmental sustainability, as well as improving the quality of life for users.

Some of AshariArchitects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped AshariArchitects achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

Featured Projects 7
Total Projects 35

8. CAAT Studio

© Parham Taghioff

© Parham Taghioff

Mahdi Kamboozia established CAAT Studio in 2015. The CAAT Studio activity can be construction engineering in the context, to the closer the distance from the idea of the design to the construction. The opinion that future architecture is not only about the advancement of design and construct technology but also in proposing ideas tailored to the new conditions in social relations. This look has evolved over the years to deal with different projects and the growth and development of the studio. We are looking forward to confronting the projects with design problems and come up with a solution. Each assignment defines a different story which shows there are varying answers to each task.

Some of CAAT Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped CAAT Studio achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 2
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 7

7. New Wave Architecture(Lida Almassian / Shahin Heidari)

© New Wave Architecture(Lida Almassian / Shahin Heidari)

© New Wave Architecture(Lida Almassian / Shahin Heidari)

New Wave Architecture Founded in 2006 is a 150 person innovative architecture design firm in Tehran, Iran.It has been nationally and internationally honored with architecture‘s prestigious awards ,publications ,competitions and citation for design excellence with extensive experience in the campus and educational faculties, specialized hospitals and health care facilities.Other projects include retail design, residential work and recreational facilities. Over 120 projects has been designed, accomplished or due to be completed. New Wave architecture seeks for global language of architecture to approach an innovative and challenging contemporary movement.It explores the new ways of emerging ideas, demanding and distinctive spaces regarding the aesthetic aspects, humanity and global communication.

Some of New Wave Architecture (Lida Almassian / Shahin Heidari)’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped New Wave Architecture(Lida Almassian / Shahin Heidari) achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 2
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 8
Total Projects 11

6. Farshad MehdiZadeh Design | FMZD

© Farshad MehdiZadeh Design | FMZD

© Farshad MehdiZadeh Design | FMZD

Farshad Mehdizadeh was born in Isfahan, Iran. He completed his bachelor’s and initial master’s degree at the Azad University of Isfahan, where he graduated in 2008. Farshad started his professional career as an architect in Fluid Motion Studio in Tehran. Later he worked with Lab Architecture Studio in Melbourne, Australia. Farshad has designed award winning personal projects as well, namely his Abadan residential building which won first prize in the national Me’mar awards of Iran and high recognition in the Middle East awards.

Farshad acquired a second master’s degree at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, in Barcelona Spain, after which he returned to Iran and established his own firm, Tehran Architecture Studio. Farshad is also active in the academic field, starting in 2007 as an assistant professor and continuing his academic work as a guest lecturer as well as through international workshops and collaboration with architects, instructors and architecture institutes around the world. He is now teaching in Melbourne University faculty of architecture. Farshad focuses his research on geographically context-based architecture and the impact of geography on architecture in general.

Some of Farshad MehdiZadeh Design | FMZD’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Farshad MehdiZadeh Design | FMZD achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 2
A+Awards Finalist 3
Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 17

5. Next Office

© Next Office

© Next Office

Next Office, based in Tehran, aims to provide a contemporary alternative to traditional Iranian architecture, responding to the climate conditions, economic, socio political and cultural context of each project. The practice’s work ranges from single-family houses to residential, commercial and mixed-use large-scale complexes, to urban master plans. Over the past decade, the practice has won several Memar Awards, a prestigious national award for architecture in Iran held annually, making it one of the top prize-winning practices in the country.

Some of Next Office’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Next Office achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Finalist 6
Featured Projects 7
Total Projects 31

4. Mado Architects

© Mado Architects

© Mado Architects

MADO STUDIO was founded by Maziar Dolatabadi on 1998 in Tehran, in the beginning it was working under the title AXIS when it changed its name to MADO on 2017. During these years MADO has designed and executed over 300 projects with different usages around the world, with the purpose of designing and creating new and distinguished architectural spaces. In these years of nonstop activities, we have created numerous imaginative ideas with executable solutions for our projects. With these ideas and solutions, we have continuously managed to utilize spaces in the best way possible while minimizing our clients’ cost and implementation time.

Some of Mado Architects’s most prominent projects include:

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

A+Awards Winner 3
Featured Projects 14
Total Projects 39

3. ZAV Architects

© ZAV Architects

© ZAV Architects

ZAV Architects design the extended process of architectural object production. ZAV designs the process with the aim of rediscovering at hand and forgotten resources. Using the help of the locally available workforce, the reimagined process transforms the initial resources into adaptable spaces.

Whatever the outcome, which might be unsolicited, we embrace it as designers. We think of this as adopted aesthetics.
When looking at the history of the region where we come from, this culture is rather common, or at least used to be. For instance, in villages people take an ordinary raw material such as wool, color it with plant residues like pomegranate skin or dyer’s madder, and using creative designs and crafts, they turn the raw material into the invaluable object that is the carpet. Carpet is used for many things, including sitting, eating, sleeping, hosting, guests and studying.

Some of ZAV Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped ZAV Architects achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 3
A+Awards Finalist 6
Featured Projects 10
Total Projects 14

2. Hooba Design Group

© Hooba Design group

© Hooba Design group

Born in 1978, Hooman Balazadeh is the founder and executive director of HOOBA Design Group. Gaining his Master of Architecture in 2003, Balazadeh started working at Shirdel & Partners, where he was a design member for two years, active on several projects.

Balazadeh established HOOBA Design in 2007 with the aim of developing projects in harmony with the cultural and geographical characteristics of the site so that each project forms a new platform for research and investigation.

This office has focused on various topics such as light, color, relation between architecture and the city, building materials, development of spatial diagrams in the Persian Architecture, etc.

Some of Hooba Design group’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Hooba Design group achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Winner 5
A+Awards Finalist 4
Featured Projects 7
Total Projects 21

1. Kalbod Design Studio

© Kalbod Design Studio

© Kalbod Design Studio

Kalbod Design Studio is one of the subsets of Kalbod Construction Group, which works in the field of execution and design, was established by Mohammad Rahimizadeh in 2016. During his years of activity, he has designed various projects with a variety of uses. With the aim of providing a contemporary alternative to traditional Iranian architecture, tries responding accurately to challenges of the climatic, economic, political, social and cultural conditions of each project. In addition to creativity and quality, the kalbod studio knows the needs and limitations of its projects well and designs beyond nationalities and specialized disciplines, regardless of borders.

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

The following statistics helped Kalbod Design Studio achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Iran:

A+Awards Finalist 2
Featured Projects 16
Total Projects 24

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “+” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

  • Project completed within the last 3 years
  • A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
  • Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
  • High quality, in focus photographs
  • At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
  • Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
  • Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

 


 

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.

The post 30 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Iran appeared first on Journal.

Sky High Standards: The New Era of More Sustainable and Passenger-Friendly Airports

The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

How can we transform our airport experience, which marks the beginning of our journey, into something more seamless and enjoyable? Facing the challenges of airport logistics, passport control and security checkpoints, we naturally wish for a smoother, more pleasant experience. This growing desire is driving a transformative shift in airport design, guided by two crucial imperatives. First, there is a pressing need for energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable facilities, reflecting a global commitment to reducing carbon footprints and lessening the impact of large-scale infrastructure. Second, airport design increasingly prioritizes enhancing the traveler experience, creating functional, comfortable and engaging spaces.

This dual approach acknowledges that airports are more than just transit points; they are complex ecosystems where environmental responsibility and passenger comfort must harmoniously coexist, turning what used to be a source of anxiety into a peaceful prelude to your journey. Let’s explore lessons from three cutting-edge before discussing the new, future directions of global airport design.


Garden City Spirit at Kempegowda Airport

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru — Terminal 2

Kempegowda International Airport, Terminal 2

Kempegowda International Airport, Terminal 2 by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Bengaluru, India | Photos by Ar. Ekansh Goel from Studio Recall | Jury Winner and Popular Choice Winner, Sustainable Transportation Project, 12th Annual A+Awards

Inspired by Bengaluru’s reputation as India’s “garden city,” Terminal 2 (T2) at Kempegowda International Airport redefines the airport experience by integrating nature into the 2.7 million-square-foot (255,000-square-meter) bustling international hub. The complex, clad in brick, engineered bamboo, and glass, comprises interconnected buildings linked by outdoor landscaped areas.

The main terminal block, which includes check-in, immigration, security, retail, arrivals and baggage claim, is separated from the gates at Terminal 2 by a 29.5-foot-wide (90-meter-wide) “forest belt” featuring indigenous flora, meandering paths and bamboo-clad pavilions. Bridges, outdoor pathways and large skylights create a calming, immersive experience that contrasts with the bustling airport activity. Plants hanging from the bamboo ceiling and green walls further enhance the terminal. The nature-themed design responds to the horticultural heritage and climate of Bengaluru while also promoting sustainability.


A Multi-Sensory Oasis at Changi Airport

Changi Airport Terminal 2

Changi Airport Terminal 2

Changi Airport Terminal 2 by BOIFFILS Architectures, Singapore | Photos by Fabian Ong for Changi Airport Group | Popular Choice Winner, Transport Interiors, 12th Annual A+Awards

The expansion and renovation of Terminal 2 at Singapore’s Changi Airport, spanning 1,291,670 square feet (120,000 square meters) across three levels. This redesign aims to enhance the traveler experience through spectacular visual, auditory, and interactive elements, transforming the terminal into a serene, multi-sensory indoor landscape. Water features, rock formations, and lush vegetation blur the boundaries between architecture and nature. Immersive installations like Wonderfall and Dreamscape offer a relaxing retreat for layover passengers. The Departure Hall’s check-in islands create a spacious feel and ensure smooth circulation. Green walls, vibrant carpeting, and organic design elements enhance the environment. Artisanal materials and handcrafted features, like organic-shaped counters and blown glass chandeliers, add to the human experience. Together, these elements contribute to a stress-free journey for all travelers.


Sustainable Expansion at Boston Logan

Boston Logan International Airport Terminal E

Boston Logan International Airport Terminal E

Boston Logan International Airport Terminal E by AECOM, Boston, Massachusetts | Photos by Ema Peter Photography.

Terminal E at Boston Logan International Airport has expanded by 320,000 square feet (29,730 square meters) and renovated 70,000 square feet (6,500 square meters) to accommodate eight million passengers annually. The design integrates extensive daylighting, photovoltaic glass panels, and electrochromic glass to create a bright, comfortable environment. Features like the multi-story great hall and clerestory windows add to the aesthetic appeal, making the space more enjoyable for travelers.

Moreover, the terminal prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainability using hybrid energy recovery systems, efficient fixtures and recycled materials. The all-electric terminal and electrification of apron vehicles reduce carbon emissions and power consumption, contributing to a net-zero strategy. Additionally, the terminal’s design includes measures to withstand extreme weather events and serves as a noise barrier, further enhancing the travel experience. It also serves as a noise barrier, powering airplanes at the gate to cut hydrocarbon use. Critical buildings are raised above the floodplain to enhance resilience.


Balancing Aesthetics, Comfort and Security

LaGuardia Airport Terminal B by HOK, New York City, New York | Popular Choice Winner, Transportation Infrastructure, 12th Annual A+Awards

These three examples demonstrate how thoughtfully soothing design and careful analysis to streamline the various operations can significantly enhance the overall travel experience. They also underscore the importance of understanding travelers’ behavior and stress levels during their airport journey.

We can enjoy our journey in a relatively stress-free land side zone, leisurely exploring shopping, food and beverage areas or moving through moving walkways on the way to our gate. But, as much as the airport might try to keep things calm, there’s always a mix of excitement and uneasiness that creeps in well before we arrive at the airport. Our stress peaks at the security checkpoint, widely recognized as the most anxiety-inducing process of the journey for many travelers, closely followed by passport control. These stages can significantly overshadow the relative ease felt in the calmer areas of the airport. But how much say do architects and designers have in these areas, where security is at its height, full attention is required, and fewer distractions are preferable?

From a design perspective, security and passport checkpoint zones must adhere to strict regulations that prioritize security and efficient traveler flow, leaving limited room for design expression. On the other hand, even within these constraints, shouldn’t these areas still reflect the overall theme of the facility — albeit on a smaller scale and with less emphasis — to achieve a cohesive environment and enhance travelers’ experience? Integrating calming design elements, such as natural lighting, greenery and clear signage, can reduce stress and create a more pleasant environment. Additionally, incorporating efficient technology and streamlined processes can minimize wait times and enhance overall comfort, making these areas less intimidating and more user-friendly without compromising security.


From Check-In to Departure: How Technology Elevates the Airport Journey

San Francisco International Airport, Boarding Area E

San Francisco International Airport, Boarding Area E designed by Gensler, San Francisco, California | Photo by Joe Fletcher

Technology significantly enhances efficiency and reduces stress at check-in, security and passport checkpoints by cutting wait times and streamlining processes. Self-check-in kiosks empower travelers to swiftly check in, print boarding passes, and tag their luggage. Biometric verification methods, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, expedite identity checks, ensuring a seamless transition. Mobile apps and digital passes keep travelers informed with real-time updates on flight status, gate changes, and security wait times. At security checkpoints, smart screening technologies such as automated tray return systems and body scanners make the process quicker and less intrusive.

The integration of these technological processes into airport design ensures that efficiency and traveler convenience are seamlessly woven into the facility’s infrastructure, enhancing the overall passenger experience. Gensler’s renovation of San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 3 Boarding Area E (T3BAE) exemplifies innovative design and interactive technology within a thoughtfully curated soothing environment, creating a space where travelers will truly enjoy spending their time.


From Green Design to Traveler Comfort: The New Standard in Airports

By integrating energy-efficient features and sustainable practices, airports like Boston Logan’s Terminal E and Bengaluru’s Terminal 2 at Kempegowda International Airport demonstrate a commitment to reducing environmental impact. Simultaneously, thoughtful design elements and advanced technologies ensure a stress-free, enjoyable journey for travelers. The future of airport design lies in this delicate balance, where aesthetics and functionality coexist to create efficient, comfortable and eco-friendly transit hubs that prioritize both the planet and the people.

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.  

The post Sky High Standards: The New Era of More Sustainable and Passenger-Friendly Airports appeared first on Journal.

The Complicated Case of Polykatoikia, Athens’ Famous Postwar Apartment Blocks

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

Homogenous. Boring. Bulky. Ugly.

These are some of the characterizations Athenians use to describe the buildings in which they live. The famous polykatoikia is a multi-housing apartment block whose name derives from poly, meaning many, and katoikia, meaning residence. This dominant morphological form has shaped Athens’ architectural identity since the early 20th century.

In 1933, a group of architects, theoreticians and artists boarded the ship Patris II to travel from Marseille to Athens to carry out the CIAM IV Conference (Congrès Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne) titled “the Functional City”. Le Corbusier (architect), Fernand Léger (artist), Christian Zervos (art critic) and Siegfried Giedion (architectural historian) irreversibly shaped the future of Athens’s built environment by advocating and promoting the modernist movement, thus inspiring Greek architects to produce the first designs of the Athenian Polykatoikia.

Until the 1950s, polykatoikias slowly overshadowed the many two-story neoclassical houses that stood as the predominant form of residence throughout the city. However, in the late 1950s, following the devastating losses of the Second World War and the Greek Civil War, large parts of the population were leaving the countryside to migrate to the country’s capital in search of a better life. Consequently, the need for housing in Athens grew exponentially, and a new law, antiparochi, was created that changed the trajectory of the city’s urban layout forever. The law of antiparochi allowed landowners to exchange their plots for ownership of some of the apartments in the new polykatoikia constructed on their land, resulting in the erection of countless polykatoikia buildings in record time.

The positive effects of antiparochi were that the people from the countryside managed to find not only homes but also jobs in the construction industry. However, throughout the polykatoikia bloom, which mostly took place during the 1950s through to the 1980s, most of the buildings were not designed and materialized by architects but rather by contractors, who would relentlessly copy the basic morphological features, leading to the production of many uninspiring, identical multi-housing units. As a result only a few architectural “gems” can be found in a sea of repetitive concrete blocks. Furthermore, due to the rapid construction, any attempt for proper urban planning practices could simply not keep up and, as a result, polykatoikias were above the control of building regulations and often situated in areas without any proper infrastructure.

If a person asks a present-day Athenian whether they find their city beautiful, the most likely response would be “No.” The aspiration of an Athens filled with neoclassical buildings, which was initially brought to the city by western European philhellenes, is a recurring 21st century dream. Nevertheless, this was not the case for the 1950s “modern” housewife. The polykatoikia introduced a functional way of living, filled with new amenities that were unprecedented at that time. People who lived in neoclassical houses had no immediate access to water, no preinstalled heating system and often had to go outside to use the bathroom facilities. The carefully decorated and carved façades, although beautiful and somewhat reminiscent of the (glorious) ancient Greek past, did not satisfy the needs of the 20th century Athenian.

Furthermore, the polykatoikia introduced a new social organization. For the first time in history, wealthy and poor were living in the same building and neighborhood. In a typical polykatoikia, the ground floor would most likely be a shop, a café, a restaurant or a bar, then the first couple of floors would be occupied by the lower social classes while the upper floors would house wealthier families; in fact, in later years some apartments would be turned into workspaces and, more recently, Airbnbs. This groundbreaking and totally spontaneous functional and social organization resulted in a city that seams homogenous but is actually the complete opposite: it is a vibrant built environment that truly never sleeps.

Still, almost 50 years have passed since the glorious days of the polykatoikia and it is time to reflect once more. Athens is currently facing an array of predominantly environmental problems, where a concrete “carpet” has covered entirely the natural landscape of the Attica basin. Amidst the concrete there are almost no green spaces, the existing rivers flow underground and Athens has become the hottest city in Europe. Fortunately, the “mix” of social classes has been preserved however, the growing tourist waves and golden visa initiatives are threatening housing for the four-million Athenians, who continue to live in polykatoikias in need of urgent restoration in both their interior and exterior.

So, what happens next? In a city that has been dominated by such a strong architectural typology, how can contemporary architects push this identity forward, tackling present-day challenges while preserving all the positive aspects of the polykatoikia? Projects with green balconies and roofs, sustainable cladding materials and designs that strive for an A+ ranking in energy efficiency are slowly improving the urban fabric. Some architects also claim that certain demolition works are unavoidable to free up space for planting and public use. Throughout this article, the actual architecture of the polykatoikia is not discussed but rather its wider social, political, economic and environmental implications. True, its simple, clean, modernist form is perhaps what allowed it to multiply in such a fast pace. Still, the most important initiative for architects would be to collectively research, gather and respond to the 2024 needs of the Greek capital and I am positive that the evolution of the Athenian architectural identity will follow.

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

Top image: MarylinalcyonovaBuilding Density beneath Lycabettus Hill in Athens Greece 01CC BY-SA 4.0

The post The Complicated Case of Polykatoikia, Athens’ Famous Postwar Apartment Blocks appeared first on Journal.

Inside Job: A+Award-Winners Reveal the New Priorities Shaping Modern Interiors

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

Interior design reflects the values of modern life. Today, spaces are increasingly shaped by sustainability, wellness and new aesthetic approaches as designers draw from local contexts. From the choice of materials to the integration of biophilic elements, designers are crafting environments that reflect a deep connection to nature and a commitment to enhancing the well-being of their occupants. The convergence of technology and craftsmanship is where interior design is creating new experiences.

This year’s Architizer A+ Awards spotlight the best of these global trends, recognizing excellence in interior design that pushes boundaries and redefines how we live and work. Celebrating projects from across the world, the A+Awards honor both established and emerging talent in the industry. Looking at  Commercial and Transport Interiors categories, architects and designers have turned to natural and local materials to reduce environmental impact. Focus on wellness has brought new aesthetics, prioritizing calming, human-centered environments. Explore how the winning interior designs are as mindful as they are beautiful.


Bike Parking IJboulevard

By VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Jury Winner, Transport Interiors, 12th Annual A+Awards


The IJboulevard, designed by VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism in collaboration with Van Hattum en Blankevoort and DS Landscape architects, is a new underwater bike parking facility in the heart of Amsterdam. Located near Amsterdam Central Station, this innovative project accommodates over 4,000 bicycles and adds public space above ground. The roof of the facility forms a new boulevard along the river IJ, creating a vibrant walkway with seating and river views.

The interior features flowing lines, wooden walls, and subtle lighting to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Sustainable design elements like low-energy consumption, biodiversity-promoting features, and eco-friendly materials enhance the overall impact of the project, which improves both infrastructure and public space in the city.


Monasty

By Not a Number Architects, Thessaloniki, Greece

Jury Winner, Commercial Interiors (>25,000 sq ft.), 12th Annual A+Awards

Monasty’s interior design merges the Byzantine heritage of Thessaloniki with the luxury of the Autograph Collection by Marriott. Drawing inspiration from the city’s rich history and its surviving Christian Orthodox temples, the hotel offers a mystical atmosphere. Its 100 rooms and common spaces feature an austere materiality, subtle lighting and a monastic aesthetic that balances the high-end amenities of a 5-star hotel.

The design incorporates symmetry, with a bar at the center emulating the nave of Byzantine temples, accentuated by a grand wooden ceiling, brass-coated chandeliers and Byzantine-inspired stone flooring. Warm, tactile materials like weathered leather and brushed wood, along with site-specific Byzantine murals, create a rich sensory experience. The secret garden, with its greenery and water features, further enhances the peaceful retreat from the bustling city.


Publicis Groupe, Le Truc

By Architecture Plus Information (A+I), New York City, New York

Jury Winner, Commercial Interiors (<25,000 sq ft.), 12th Annual A+Awards


A+I partnered with Publicis Groupe to create a dynamic “Clubhouse” for their creative collective, Le Truc, in New York City. This innovative space, designed to fuel creativity, offers a variety of non-deterministic environments — bullpens, libraries, auditoriums, nooks and lounges — that cater to different creative processes.

Anchored by a café and work lounges, the space generates collective energy and celebrates individuality with diverse colors, lighting, and design elements. Le Truc serves as a proof of concept for the future of work, showing how an office can be a strategic tool for large-scale organizations post-pandemic.


OFFICE @ 63

By Sanjay Puri Architects, Navi Mumbai, India

Popular Choice Winner, Commercial Interiors (<25,000 sq ft.), 12th Annual A+Awards


This office for a furniture contract company, located within their factory, features a series of architectural volumes that give each space its own identity. A large reception area is highlighted by a 36-foot-high (11 meters) seating area with elliptical pods floating in a reflecting pool at one end and a landscaped courtyard at the other. A multifunctional space with movable modular platforms serves as a furniture display, seminar hall or social area, connected by a sweeping cantilevered stairway.

The office’s elliptical volumes create organic circulation, with a varied material palette of glass, wood, metallic paint, cork and concrete. Integrated lighting enhances features like perforated partitions, pyramid ceilings and aluminum installations, while large openings allow natural light and views of the factory. Each functional area, including workstations, conference rooms and discussion rooms, is uniquely designed and arranged across three levels.


U.S Bank Center

By SkB Architects, Seattle, Washington

Popular Choice Winner, Commercial Interiors (>25,000 sq ft.), 12th Annual A+Awards

The revitalization of the 44-story U.S. Bank Center transforms the iconic building into a vibrant workplace and welcoming public space. At its heart, Cedar Hall replaces the previously cramped atrium with an open, inviting expanse featuring 3.6 million green penny tiles that reflect sunlight. Operable doors, accessible seating, and dynamic indoor streetscapes foster connection, while the Tower Lobby guides visitors through curated art and adaptable settings.

The Spruce Room, a cozy haven overlooking Cedar Hall, offers lounge seating and workspaces. The redesign emphasizes accessibility, opening up street-level porosity and clarifying boundaries between public and private spaces. This revitalized hub blends work, relaxation, dining and shopping into a seamless experience for tenants and the community.


Changi Airport Terminal 2

By BOIFFILS Architectures, Singapore

Popular Choice Winner, Transport Interiors, 12th Annual A+Awards

The expansion and renovation of Terminal 2 at Singapore’s Changi Airport spans across three levels, with a design prioritizing the traveler experience through calming visual, auditory, and interactive elements. Inspired by nature, the terminal features indoor landscapes with minerals, water features, and lush vegetation to create a serene, multi-sensory environment.

The departure hall emphasizes transparency and smooth circulation to reduce travel anxiety, offering panoramic views and vegetated walls that blur the line between architecture and landscape. The project balances technology and nature, highlighted by immersive installations like Wonderfall and Dreamscape, which provide a tranquil escape for layover passengers.

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

The post Inside Job: A+Award-Winners Reveal the New Priorities Shaping Modern Interiors appeared first on Journal.

Hacking the Human Habitat: How Cyborg Architecture Blends Biology with Technology

Ema is a trained architect, writer and photographer who works as a Junior Architect at REX in NYC. Inspired by her global experiences, she shares captivating insights into the world’s most extraordinary cities and buildings and provides travel tips on her blog, The Travel Album.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of architecture, a new frontier is emerging: cyborg architecture. This innovative approach blends biological and technological elements, creating spaces that are not only adaptive and intelligent but also deeply integrated with the human experience. It’s a dialogue between the digital and physical worlds that blurs the boundaries between human and machine environments. Cyborg architecture envisions a future where buildings are dynamic, responsive and symbiotic with their occupants. As technology continues to advance, cyborg architecture will play a pivotal role in shaping the cities of tomorrow, offering solutions that enhance the human experience while promoting sustainability and resilience. Let’s explore how cyborg architecture weaves together technology, sustainability and human interaction to create innovative, future-forward environments.


Responsive Environments

Al Bahr Towers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates by AHR

Al Bahr Towers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates by AHR

Al Bahr Towers by AHR, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Cyborg architecture is an emerging field that intertwines with several forward-thinking design approaches, creating dynamic, responsive and future-ready built environments. Responsive environments are central to cyborg architecture, where buildings and spaces dynamically adapt to the real-time needs and actions of their inhabitants. At its heart lies the principle of responsiveness. These spaces utilize advanced sensors and actuators to monitor and adapt to the needs of their occupants in real-time. For instance, a building might adjust its lighting and temperature based on the number of people present and their activities, ensuring optimal comfort and energy efficiency.

This level of adaptability transforms spaces into living entities that can anticipate and respond to human behavior. Projects like the Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi, designed by Aedas, features a dynamic façade with an automated sunshade system that opens and closes in response to sunlight, reducing energy consumption and enhancing comfort. The use of such responsive façades that adjust according to environmental conditions, illustrates how cyborg architecture creates spaces that react to their surroundings and users.

Responsive environments also extend to the physical layout of spaces. Walls and furniture can be designed to move and reconfigure themselves according to the specific needs of the moment, creating a flexible and versatile environment. This adaptability is particularly valuable in urban settings where space is limited and multi-functionality is essential.


Biomimetic Design

Norfolk, Burleigh Heads Burleigh Heads, Australia by KOICHI TAKADA ARCHITECTS

Norfolk, Burleigh Heads Burleigh Heads, Australia by KOICHI TAKADA ARCHITECTS

Norfolk, Burleigh Heads by KOICHI TAKADA ARCHITECTS, Burleigh Heads, Australia

Biomimicry in architecture draws inspiration from nature’s processes and systems. Biomimetic design therefore draws inspiration from the natural world to create architectural solutions that are efficient, sustainable and resilient. In cyborg architecture, this involves using materials and structures that mimic the properties of living organisms.

The Norfolk Burleigh Heads project, designed by Koichi Takada Architects, is a strong example of this, with the building drawing inspiration from the local Norfolk pine trees, particularly their pinecones, which protect seeds from the elements while opening up in optimal conditions. The building’s design draws from natural principles, featuring overlapping balcony slabs that offer both protection from harsh weather and the option to embrace openness and natural light. Adjustable timber screens, inspired by the adaptability of pinecones, give residents the ability to control their environment—shielding from the elements or opening up to enjoy the subtropical climate and ocean views. These organic forms and materials integrate with the coastal landscape, creating a space that is both dynamic and in harmony with nature.

Another biomimetic approach involves designing buildings that can adapt to environmental conditions, similar to how organisms evolve to survive in their habitats. Facades that change color or texture in response to temperature and sunlight can regulate indoor climate and reduce energy consumption, creating a more sustainable built environment.


Human-Machine Interfaces

The Edge, Amsterdam, Netherlands by PLP Architecture

The Edge, Amsterdam, Netherlands by PLP Architecture

The Edge by PLP Architecture, Amsterdam, Netherlands

One of the most futuristic, but central aspects of cyborg architecture is the integration of human-machine interfaces (HMIs). These interfaces enable seamless interaction between occupants and their environments through intuitive controls such as voice commands, gestures, and even neural inputs. Imagine walking into a room that instantly recognizes your preferences for lighting, music and temperature, adjusting them to suit your mood and activities. This is evident in projects like The Edge in Amsterdam, which integrates advanced sensors, data analytics and personalized apps to enhance user experience within the building. Cyborg architecture leverages HMI technology to blur the line between user and structure, creating environments that are not only adaptive but also anticipatory of human needs.

Neural interfaces represent a groundbreaking advancement in HMIs, allowing for direct communication between the human brain and the building’s systems. This technology can transform accessibility, enabling individuals with disabilities to control their environments effortlessly. As neural interface technology continues to develop, the potential for creating truly personalized and immersive experiences within architectural spaces grows exponentially.


Living Architecture

Hy-Fi, Queens, New York, NY, United States by The Living

Hy-Fi, Queens, New York, NY, United States by The Living

Hy-Fi by The Living, New York City, New York

The concept of living architecture — where buildings behave like living organisms — takes this a step further. Projects like The Living’s Hy-Fi Tower in New York, made from organic, compostable materials, highlight how cyborg architecture can create living, breathing structures.  Such designs features bio-bricks made from mycelium (fungus), showing how buildings can grow and decompose like natural organisms and evolve in real-time. They can change based on environmental inputs, effectively merging biological and architectural processes.

The concept of living architecture, where buildings incorporate living organisms as part of their design can include elements such as green roofs and vertical gardens that enhance biodiversity and improve air quality. More advanced applications involve bioengineered materials that can grow and adapt over time, creating a dynamic and evolving architectural form.


Futuristic Applications

Futuristic architecture often envisions smart, technology-integrated environments that respond to modern urban challenges. The applications of cyborg architecture extend beyond individual buildings to encompass entire smart cities. In these urban environments, buildings and infrastructure communicate and collaborate to optimize resources, reduce waste and enhance the quality of life for residents. For example, traffic systems can adjust in real-time to minimize congestion, while public spaces adapt to accommodate events and changing social dynamics.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies further enrich the experience of cyborg architecture. By overlaying digital information onto physical spaces, AR can transform navigation, education and entertainment within buildings. Imagine walking through a museum where historical artifacts come to life through interactive displays, or navigating a complex building using AR-guided directions.

Biofeedback systems also represent another cutting-edge application, where buildings monitor the health and well-being of occupants through sensors that track vital signs. These systems can adjust environmental conditions to promote relaxation, focus, or recovery, creating environments that actively support human health.


Challenges and Considerations

While cyborg architecture offers exciting possibilities, it also presents significant challenges and considerations. Privacy and security are paramount concerns as buildings become more connected and data-driven. Ensuring that personal information remains secure and that occupants have control over their environments is essential to maintaining trust in these advanced systems.

Ethical considerations also arise regarding the extent to which environments should influence human behavior. The potential for technology to subtly shape interactions and experiences raises questions about autonomy and the balance between convenience and control. Sustainability is another critical factor, as the integration of advanced technologies must be balanced with energy efficiency and environmental impact. Cyborg architecture must strive to create buildings that are not only intelligent but also environmentally responsible.

Architizer is thrilled to announce the world' best architecture firms in 2024, all winners of the 12th Annual A+Awards! Want to get your firm in the running next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to our A+Awards Newsletter. 

The post Hacking the Human Habitat: How Cyborg Architecture Blends Biology with Technology appeared first on Journal.

30 Best Architecture and Design Firms in India

These annual rankings were last updated on August 23, 2024. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking.

India is a massive country with a long, complex history, and its architectural heritage reflects this varied past. With decolonization and independence in the mid-20th century, the country’s architects and politicians embraced modernist architecture as a symbolic move away from the past. In 1947, the country’s population totaled about 330 million, yet, there were just 300 trained architects. Today, the population of 1.38 billion consists of over 90,000 registered architects.

Rapidly growing urban centers and an influx of wealth continue to fuel architectural commissions, and even as skyscrapers go up, landscape designs are paid increasing attention. While many stories of the country’s design history have begun with outsiders like Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, today, Indian architects have taken control of the narrative and are cultivating an incredible design culture within their country and beyond. When it comes to contemporary Indian design, the incredible work of Pritzker-prize and RIBA Gold medal winner B.V. Doshi is just the tip of the iceberg.

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

How are these architecture firms ranked?

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

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

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

Without further ado, here are the 30 best architecture firms in India:


30. RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS STUDIO

© RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS STUDIO

© RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS STUDIO

Most of the projects that RENESA takes on are quite unique in India. We have worked on residential, industrial, institutional, corporate as well as commercial projects. Almost all the projects are distinct and required a great deal of study of the clients’ expectations. We would characterize this as the primary reason of our success. It is our effort to focus the client on the visualization of their expectations, and the review of the presented options. The middle part is our core business. Whether it be the study of newer architectural concepts, creation of visualizations, electrical, fire fighting, plumbing, HVAC, interiors, landscape design etc, Renesa handles all aspects of the project. RENESA works with eminent consultants on need basis to address local construction requirements so that the client has a single point of contact, but the benefit of an integrated consultancy streams.

Some of RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS STUDIO’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped RENESA ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIORS STUDIO achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 3

29. 42mm Architecture

© 42mm Architecture

© 42mm Architecture

A multi-disciplinary practice established in 2005, 42mm has been since specializing in architecture, interiors and urban design. With a keen desire to depart from conventional models, the 42mm team comprising of twenty-five plus architects and designers led by Rudraksh Charan and Priyanka Khanna strive constantly to create projects that stand out in design and construction. The firm is constantly at work on research, development and implementation of innovative and efficient design strategies. Additionally the firm maintains a strong commitment to create design solutions that are individually tailored to suit the specific criteria for each project.

42mm has chosen to make a difference in the world by looking at reducing fossil fuel energy demands in its buildings.

Some of 42mm Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped 42mm Architecture achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 4

28. STUDIOARO

© STUDIOARO

© STUDIOARO

We design. We build. Spaces that uplift and inspire. Through our ancestral knowledge and techniques, we transform materials from nature into modern contemporary structures.

Some of STUDIOARO’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped STUDIOARO achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 2

27. Studio Course

© Studio Course

© Studio Course

We believe that architecture and design have a direct relationship with the way we inhabit a space and, in-return the space and atmosphere eventually shape us.

Some of Studio Course’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Studio Course achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 2

26. treelight design

© treelight design

© treelight design

Treelight is an aesthetic practice in architecture, interior and product design. We believe that design is a creative reaction to interesting stimuli. This stimuli may be a beautiful location, unique material, form, function or simply a classic line. The eventual design is a synthesis of both, the subjective and the objective analysis of an idea.

Some of treelight design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped treelight design achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 2

25. EGO DESIGN STUDIO

© EGO DESIGN STUDIO

© EGO DESIGN STUDIO

The Trivandrum based architecture and design studio was founded in 2009 by a group of like-minded architects who did their graduation from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala. Their works are a reflection of the questions they ask themselves and the confusion they confront. Beyond the necessary performative approach, the practice aligns itself to the boundaries between the philosophical and phenomenological approach

Some of EGO DESIGN STUDIO’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped EGO DESIGN STUDIO achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 4

24. Shanmugam Associates

© Shanmugam Associates

© Shanmugam Associates

Shanmugam Associates (SA) is a professionally managed architecture and design firm having its offices in Trichy and Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The firm had its inception in 1982 under Ar. A. Shanmugam, who was the pioneer in creating awareness of architecture as a profession in Trichy, India. With a huge clientele, rich experience in the field and exploration into various typologies, SA has its growth laid on strong foundation.

The architecture at Shanmugam Associates is simple, rational, powerful, experimental and pragmatic. The essence is to deliver minimal and timeless solutions taking into consideration nature’s sensitivity, economic barriers and client’s requirement. Immense focus has always given to sustainability and sensitivity to nature in SA even before the emergence of green buildings concepts.

Some of Shanmugam Associates’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Shanmugam Associates achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 4

23. Srijit Srinivas Architects

© Srijit Srinivas Architects

© Srijit Srinivas Architects

Srijit Srinivas Architects is a multiple International Award winning architecture studio based in Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Founded by its namesake, the firm is known for creating buildings with timeless value. They have won the Jury award at the coveted 34 th World Architecture Community Awards 2020, for the Benziger Hospice Home, Trivandrum and is also a winner of the 40th World Architecture Awards for the Brick Lattice House, among other regional awards. Their portfolio consists of apartments, residential homes, healthcare buildings, commercial buildings, institutional, convention centers, resorts and so on.

Some of Srijit Srinivas Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Srijit Srinivas Architects achieve 23rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 5

22. blocher partners India

© blocher partners India Pvt Ltd

© blocher partners India Pvt Ltd

blocher partners India Pvt. Ltd. in New Delhi is the perfect contact for holistic project developments at the highest of standards. In interlocking architecture with interior design the international renowned company plans, develops and realizes projects for the event-orientated retail market as well as high-quality residential areas, private houses, hotels, offices and all kinds of commercial buildings. Besides architecture and interior design the office also offers corporate design, graphic and visual merchandising.

Our work begins by the observer’s curiosity. We imagine things both from the outside to the inside and the inside to the outside.

Some of blocher partners India Pvt Ltd’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped blocher partners India Pvt Ltd achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 8

21. Moriq

© Moriq

© Moriq

With the collective professional experience that encompasses a wide array of design types including residential, commercial, institutional and educational facilities, Mr.Riyaz Quraishi and Mrs. Simeen Quraishi, the designer couple, have completed more than a couple of hundred projects. Currently have on-going projects all over the country including Delhi, Bangalore, Rajasthan, Chennai. Our international projects are mostly luxury homes and hotels in the Middle East.

Some of Moriq’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Moriq achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 8

20. JDAP Design – Architecture – Planning

© JDAP Design - Architecture - Planning

© JDAP Design - Architecture - Planning

JDAP is a design, architecture and planning firm based in Mumbai, India. Founded by Jude D’Souza, the firm is known for design at high quality, well researched and meticulously detailed. The firm works on a variety of projects across scales and disciplines covering residential, cultural, commercial and hospitality sectors and has been published and awarded nationally and internationally. The firm works with the principle “Design that is closer to Nature”. This emphasizes a wide range of ensuing approaches, key among which is developing the ability through design, to do “More with Less”. It sees the architectural project at its core as an idea-based one, and seeks to constantly invent.

Some of JDAP Design – Architecture – Planning’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped JDAP Design - Architecture - Planning achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 11

19. Quirk Studio

© Quirk Studio

© Quirk Studio

Quirk Studio is an Interior Design Company founded by Disha Bhavsar and Shivani Ajmera in 2013. Their design philosophy is finding simplicity in clutter and to create in order to inspire. Quirk Studio’s goal is for its designs to have the power to transport you into another world, allow you to dream and most importantly, evoke an emotional response. Disha graduated from the Winchester School of Arts, University of Southampton, UK and went on to work with Milind Pai Architects, Beyond Design and ELLE DECOR. Shivani graduated from Florence Design Academy, Italy. She went on to work with Talati & Panthaky, Red Architects, Better Interiors, ELLE DECOR and Restoration Hardware (USA), before coming together to start Quirk Studio.

Some of Quirk Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Quirk Studio achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 12

18. M9 Design Studio

© Shamanth Patil J R

© Shamanth Patil J R

We strive to impact people through spaces. No matter what project we’re designing, we always aim to make a difference in the city’s landscape. We envision spaces that will inspire people, help them connect with one another, and enrich the human experience. We do this by embracing the life, love, and diversity of the city. Recognizing that every great design is the result of a combination of ideas, we’re inspired by the dynamism of urban life.

Some of M9 Design Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped M9 Design Studio achieve 18th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 5

17. Morphogenesis

© Morphogenesis

© Morphogenesis

Morphogenesis is one of India’s leading award-winning architecture and urban design practices with offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune and New Delhi. Morphogenesis reinterprets India’s architectural roots and consistently employs passive design solutions for a unique contextual language. Its work encompasses a range of typologies across architecture, interiors and landscape urbanism. Morphogenesis is the only firm in the WA100 list of the world’s largest Architecture firms which is gender neutral, with over 50% women across all levels. With a global portfolio, 150 international and national awards and 1000 plus publications globally, it is the first Indian firm to be awarded the Singapore Institute of Architects Getz Award for their vision and commitment in making a significant contribution in shaping the changing landscape of Asia.

Some of Morphogenesis’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Morphogenesis achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 20

16. Samira Rathod Design Associates

© Edmund Sumner

© Edmund Sumner

Every building endeavor must be a responsible solution in structure, services infrastructure, cost and function. It must have a purpose, and above all, dare its own consequences in the environment; but in all of the above, if there is poetry, then perhaps it becomes architecture.

SRDA is a firm that investigates design with a passionate and critical eye grounded in modesty and a thirst for imaginative adventures. At SRDA every project is treated with fervor for exploration and innovation and tested for relevance in physical and social contexts against the land which will cradle it and against the man it is meant for.

SRDA subscribes to the philosophy of the architecture of BLIRS — beautiful, local, indigenous, recycle and small.

Some of Samira Rathod Design Associates’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Samira Rathod Design Associates achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 2

15. tHE gRID Architects

© tHE gRID Architects

© tHE gRID Architects

tHE gRID is an architecture firm based in the bustling city of Ahmedabad Gujarat India. It is a multidisciplinary design firm which incorporates an array of design combinations and experiences, qualification and skills and deeply committed to excellence. The firm aims at providing complete and high-level design services for the full range of projects. We have created a team of passionate professionals under this firm and we currently employ from various respected design schools across the country. We comprise of civil engineers and architects and Interior designers who are dedicated to the satisfaction of the client and design philosophy. The team works towards design strategies and awards client interaction and satisfaction.

Some of tHE gRID Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped tHE gRID Architects achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 3

14. Sfuurrna Akrriitt

© Sfuurrna Akrriitt

© Sfuurrna Akrriitt

Our mission is to reach the world community and render the richness that underlies in the wisdom of India. The word ‘Sfurna’ means ‘that which comes from within’. Respecting ‘the intuition’, we strive to design and build original, inspirational and timeless environs believing that it is our responsibility to glorify our profession by professing and implementing values, idealism and ideologies. As designers, it’s our prerogative to have ‘art’ as an utmost integral part of design with innovation in approach to the design, material and space realized through the use of natural resources of natural light, wind & views valuing local material, culture, art and craft and amalgamating it with the present.

Some of Sfuurrna Akrriitt’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Sfuurrna Akrriitt achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 10

13. Multitude Of Sins

© Multitude Of Sins

© Multitude Of Sins

Multitude of Sins (MOS) is a creative design studio identified by its experimental take on design, that lets creative possibilities run riot against the celebration of colors and graphics while striving to unveil the potential a space can bear if one remembers to dismiss the notions of familiarity.

Some of Multitude Of Sins’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Multitude Of Sins achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

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

12. Abin Design Studio

© Abin Design Studio

© Abin Design Studio

Abin Design Studio was founded in October 2005 by Abin Chaudhuri, and architecture graduate from Jadavpur University with a specialization in industrial design from Domus Academy, Milan. Juli Mallick, also an architecture graduate from JU joined ADS in 2006 and today is a business partner to Abin. What started off as a small three person firm is now a frontline organization rendering complete design and management solutions right from conceptualization to realization of the space, object or visual in the market, keeping in mind the synergy of execution of design solution through extensive research and innovation. We are into architecture, interior design, design of exhibition spaces, industrial design and graphic design.

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

The following statistics helped Abin Design Studio achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 4

11. MANOJ PATEL DESIGN STUDIO

© MANOJ PATEL DESIGN STUDIO

© MANOJ PATEL DESIGN STUDIO

Our practice believes in redefining of vernacular materials transformed into contemporary applications for building designs. We have completed more than 150 projects includes residential, commercial, schools, hospitals and some renovation projects.

Some of MANOJ PATEL DESIGN STUDIO’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped MANOJ PATEL DESIGN STUDIO achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 18

10. IMK Architects

© IMK Architects

© IMK Architects

Founded in 1957, IMK Architects is an architecture and urban design practice headquartered in Mumbai with another office in Bengaluru. It is led by the father-son duo of I. M. Kadri and Rahul Kadri who are supported by a 35-strong multidisciplinary team of architects, designers, planners, engineers and visualisation artists. The practice’s early journey is intrinsically tied to that of independent India, and more specifically, to that of the country’s financial capital of Mumbai, its diverse work a reflection of changing times and imaginations as a young nation and its first metropolis navigated questions of tradition and modernity and business and politics on its way to a self-sufficient and economically-secure future.

Some of IMK Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped IMK Architects achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 24

9. Anagram Architects

© Anagram Architects

© Anagram Architects

Anagram Architects is a design consultancy firm established by Vaibhav Dimri and Madhav Raman in New Delhi in 2001. The partners are graduate architects from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. The firm’s practice is diverse and encompasses public infrastructure planning, urban design, architecture, sceneography broadcast design, furniture design and interior design.

Our young and dynamic firm has very rapidly garnered national and international acclaim for designs that span a wide array, from modest residences to large public infrastructure facilities. Through our work we attempt to enrich elemental modernity with intensive research into traditional as well as non-conventional practices, evolving culturally relevant, contextually responsive and resource efficient design solutions. We, at Anagram Architects, enthusiastically explore these as opportunities to investigate spatial design and endeavor to provide innovative and fresh design solutions by delving into our rich experience in various fields.

Some of Anagram Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Anagram Architects achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 6

8. StudioPOD

© StudioPOD

© StudioPOD

StudioPOD is an international multi-disciplinary planning and urban design practice, with their headquarters in Mumbai, India, and an office in Dallas, USA. POD stands for People Oriented Design, which is the main philosophy of the firm. Since 2013, StudioPOD has worked extensively in multiple regions across India and in UAE. Our projects are of varying scales that include strategic and regional plans, transportation and campus plans, landscape urbanism, placemaking and streetscapes.

Our firm philosophy is people centric design. Our urban design practice pushes the conventional design boundaries with ideas and principles that focus on people-centric design. We plan for cities and social spaces that foster resilience, vitality, ecology and community.

Some of StudioPOD’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped StudioPOD achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

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

7. SpaceMatters

© SpaceMatters

© SpaceMatters

SpaceMatters is an integrated design practice with architecture, interior, urban design and habitat research capabilities founded in 2005. Based out of New Delhi the award winning design practice has been consistently recognized as one of the leading design firms in India.

Some of SpaceMatters’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped SpaceMatters achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 11

6. CollectiveProject

© CollectiveProject

© CollectiveProject

CollectiveProject is a young international design studio founded in Bangalore, India by partners Cyrus Patell and Eliza Higgins in 2013. The studio’s investigations occur at multiple scales; from furniture and interiors to residential and institutional buildings. Recently completed projects include a Montessori school on a 2 acre site, Cafe/Bakery in Koramangala and garden landscape/reading room.

As a studio, we consider the entire architectural experience — combining spatial narratives, landscape and materials. Our approach is open and fluid — drawing inspiration from site, culture, environment and technology. Our work mediates between multiple scales and is both detail and conceptually driven.

Some of CollectiveProject’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped CollectiveProject achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 5
Total Projects 5

5. KSM Architecture

© KSM Architecture

© KSM Architecture

KSM was formed in the year 1990 with a team of highly professional and experienced architects and engineers with exposure to international standards of design and detailing. Recent years have seen immense change in technology and lifestyle in India. Changes that have had a profound effect on the buildings in which we live, work and play. Today’s designs must be innovative and the buildings, practical and viable. We are sensitive to these issues and it has been the objective of the firm to maintain a high standard of design and technical competence with a great emphasis on climatically relevant and sustainable design.

In recent years, KSM is being recognized as one of the leading firms that design sustainable and eco-friendly buildings.

Some of KSM Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped KSM Architecture achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

A+Awards Winner 1
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 5
Total Projects 8

4. The Purple Ink Studio

© The Purple Ink Studio

© The Purple Ink Studio

Established in 2011 in Bengaluru, The Purple Ink Studiois a multifaceted architecture practice that is young, experimental and ambitious. Conceived by Aditi Pai and Akshay Heranjal, as the principals along with Nishita Bhatia and Arpita Pai, the studio has now grown into a highly collaborative practice, with a core group of design associates who come from different architectural backgrounds.

The practice passionately believes in an approach that is layered, contextual and experimental in nature. The studio is exploring various scales and typologies with a constant search to engineer new ways of blurring the boundaries between architecture and landscape. In less than a decade, the studio has gained recognition worldwide by winning numerous national and international awards.

Some of The Purple Ink Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped The Purple Ink Studio achieve 4th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 5
Total Projects 15

3. Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects

© Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects

© Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects

GRCA is a young firm headed by architect Gaurav Roy Choudhury, with experience in architecture, interior design, graphic design, urban design and housing projects, mainly in and around Bangalore. Its main aim has always been to articulate the various movements that assimilate context, taking the project brief from the “said” to the “unsaid”. GRCA strives to absorb all domains of influence and exposure, with the hopes of redefining honest architecture through a process of re-invention and storytelling. Its path lies in the understood, and its eyes on the unexplored.

Some of Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Gaurav Roy Choudhury Architects achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 7
Total Projects 12

2. Architecture BRIO

© Sebastian Zachariah

© Sebastian Zachariah

Architecture BRIO is an award winning architecture and interior design studio actively engaged in the creation of contextually appropriate, sustainable design solutions within an increasingly changing world.

The work of the studio addresses new ways of understanding the often contradictory interrelations between the city, architecture, landscape and the world of interiors. There is a growing need for our built environment to re-establish healthy relationships with the natural world. Similarly there is an urgency to address the never before seen growth in urban and rural areas in India and globally. Within this context the work searches for a delicate balance between architecture as the act of disappearance, and creating characterful, responsive and experiential environments.

Some of Architecture BRIO’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Architecture BRIO achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

Featured Projects 8
Total Projects 7

1. Sanjay Puri Architects

© Sanjay Puri Architects

© Sanjay Puri Architects

Sanjay Puri Architects has been widely recognized as one of the best architecture firms of the past thirty years. Since it’s founding in 1992, the firm has spearheaded dozens of award-winning projects, including everything from townships, schools, hotels, retail and office buildings, and has been at the forefront of creating innovative design solutions that are sustainable on a large scale.

With a current firm strength of ninety, led by founding partners Sanjay and Nina Puri, evolving design solutions that are contextual and sustainable and creating spaces that explore spatial perception with new design directions form the essence of the firm’s design philosophy. Sanjay Puri Architects strives for design approaches that are environmentally and culturally contextual, while also finding innovative new ways for people to experience these spaces.

Some of Sanjay Puri Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Sanjay Puri Architects achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in India:

A+Awards Winner 14
A+Awards Finalist 8
Featured Projects 26
Total Projects 44

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “+” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

  • Project completed within the last 3 years
  • A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
  • Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
  • High quality, in focus photographs
  • At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
  • Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
  • Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

 


 

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.

The post 30 Best Architecture and Design Firms in India appeared first on Journal.

Feast for the Eyes: 7 Refined Restaurants That Will Satiate Architectural Appetites

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

The design of culinary spaces is an art that blends the sensory with the spatial. This year’s most inspiring restaurant designs push the boundaries of how these two worlds intersect, creating environments that are as much a part of the dining experience as the cuisine itself. Celebrated in the Architizer A+ Awards, the winning entries and special mentions span a range of scales and concepts, reflecting a global perspective with designs from vibrant urban eateries in New York to serene dining spaces in Japan.

The connection between architecture and culinary spaces is profound, as the design of a restaurant is as crucial to the dining experience as the food itself. Architects and designers craft environments that not only complement the culinary offerings but also elevate the senses, creating atmospheres that are integral to the storytelling of each dish. Whether through innovative use of materials, lighting or spatial configurations, these projects exemplify how architecture can transform a meal into a memorable experience. Each of the following restaurants offers insight into how design can shape and enhance the culinary landscape. Together, they represent the cutting edge of restaurant design today.


Stand Up Udon Noodel

By sawa architects, Jingumae, Shibuya City, Japan

Jury Winner, Restaurants (S <1000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+Awards


Located in Harajuku, Tokyo’s trendy district, this small udon noodle restaurant features a standing-only style. Despite many closures due to COVID-19, the restaurant preserved its distinctive red exterior, which locals cherish as a city icon. The design respects the unique culture of stand-up dining by creating a single arched counter that embodies three key atmospheres: an indescribable feeling, psychological distance from neighbors, and the heat from the kitchen.

The counter, plastered with rice hulls, serves multiple functions including lighting, seasoning and tissue storage. Existing wooden pillars are retained to highlight the traditional Japanese architectural scale, blending unique shapes with cultural elements.


Slabtitude

By Vaslab Architecture, Bangkok, Thailand

Popular Choice Winner, Restaurants (S <1000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+Awards

Slabtitude, a cafe created by Vaslab, emerged from the firm’s idea of revamping the storage space in front of their office into a place where staff could casually meet, work or relax over coffee. The cafe’s design features exposed concrete surfaces and a striking, 23-foot-long (7-meter) Balau wood table, crafted in collaboration with Thick and Thin Studio.

This cantilevered table, inspired by Italian coffee culture, serves as the cafe’s centerpiece, blending functionality with the natural beauty of the wood. The space also incorporates random arrangements of fiber cement panels, seamlessly integrating with the concrete surfaces, while the overall design reflects Vaslab’s aesthetic through curated music, art, and coffee selections.


Harudot By Nana Coffee Roasters

By IDIN Architects, Tambon Samet, Thailand

Jury + Popular Choice Winner, Restaurants (L >1000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+Awards

Harudot is a unique café in Chonburi, Thailand, resulting from a collaboration between Nana Coffee Roasters and a plant-loving landlord. The café, named “Haru” (Spring) and “Dot” (Starting Point), is designed to be a destination that blends new beginnings with growth, featuring a central baobab tree in an inner courtyard where the architecture opens to the sky. Inspired by Japanese culture’s simplicity, the exterior boasts three black gable forms contrasting with warm pine wood interiors.

The space is divided into functional zones, with curved, dynamic forms and semi-outdoor areas created by voids that let in natural light and rain. The interior integrates these voids with Barrisol stretch ceilings, creating a cohesive and warmly lit environment. Seating is designed as a continuous ribbon, and outdoor furniture incorporates coffee grounds, rice, and leaves. Details extend to custom fonts, terrazzo floors with circular patterns and embedded quotes, and playful flower petal designs, enhancing the cafe’s connection with nature and its thematic elements.


Mátria Parques das Flores – Restaurante Baffi

By Alencar Arquitetura, Brazil

Set in the picturesque landscape of Rio Grande do Sul, the Restaurant by the Lake is designed to offer visitors a memorable dining experience with stunning views. The challenge was to create architecture that enhances, rather than competes with, the natural beauty of the environment. The restaurant’s cave-like design, with its concave-convex structure, seamlessly blends into the gentle elevations and slopes of the terrain. In turn, it harmoniously integrates with the landscape to create a discreet and immersive experience.


Khao Niao Restaurant + Onda Cafe

By ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work – Aholic), Bangkok, Thailand

ASWA designed the new Khao Niao + Onda cafe in Bangkok’s Ari neighborhood, surrounded by residential buildings and other eateries. The one-story, L-shaped restaurant features a wavy precast concrete facade, crafted using a unique onsite mold created from corrugated roof tiles.

The building is divided into two main areas: the restaurant with the kitchen and the cafe with service areas, both centered around a semi-indoor courtyard that offers a peaceful retreat and can host small events. The façade’s wave-like design, inspired by the meaning of “Onda” (wave in Italian), includes half-circle openings that reveal the warm wooden interior and allow natural light to fill the space.


Tatiana

By Modellus Novus, New York City, New York

David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, completed in 2022, represents a rebirth of one of New York City’s most iconic institutions. Modellus Novus reimagined the concert hall’s hospitality spaces to honor the history and communities that once thrived in the area, particularly the Afro-Caribbean San Juan Hill neighborhood that was razed for Lincoln Center’s development.

The new design fosters inclusivity, creating welcoming environments both inside the building and in its public plazas. The flagship restaurant Tatiana, inspired by Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s upbringing in the South Bronx during the 1990s, reflects the cultural vibrancy of the city’s emerging hip hop and art scenes, celebrating the complex identity of New York while contributing to its future.


V8

By Illichmann Architecture and Matthaus Wagner, Vienna, Austria

The “V8” is a key component of the “Classic Depot” project in Vienna, designed to preserve valuable vintage vehicles. Located on the former Fritze-Lacke factory site, the facility features an underground parking level for 50 cars, a ground-floor workshop and storage areas with heated and ventilated spaces, UV-protective glass, and sun protection.

The top floor includes office space and a restaurant with a bar, terraces and a staggered lightweight construction, reflecting an industrial aesthetic. Special attention was given to lighting, using Nimbus pads that illuminate surfaces indirectly and enhance acoustics with textiles.

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

The post Feast for the Eyes: 7 Refined Restaurants That Will Satiate Architectural Appetites appeared first on Journal.

Office of the Future: 6 Ways Architects Worldwide Are Flipping the Workplace Model

The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

In a rapidly evolving world, office design is undergoing a transformative shift that reflects new approaches to creating spaces where people can thrive. The winners of this year’s A+ Awards have set a new benchmark for workplace environments, showcasing approaches that not only respond to contemporary needs but also anticipate the future of work. From flexible layouts that support hybrid working models to biophilic designs that foster well-being, these A+Award-winning projects highlight the creative solutions architects are employing to redefine the modern office.

One of the most significant trends in this year’s winners is the emphasis on flexibility and adaptability. As companies navigate the complexities of remote and in-person work, the demand for versatile spaces that can easily be reconfigured has never been higher. Architects are responding with innovative designs that include modular furniture, dynamic workstations, and multi-purpose areas, enabling businesses to adapt their spaces quickly and efficiently to changing needs.

Designers are also incorporating biophilic design principles; this year’s award-winning offices feature abundant natural light, gardens, and sustainable materials that create healthier, more inspiring work environments. The A+ winners demonstrate that the future of office design is not just about aesthetics or functionality but about creating spaces that support well-being and foster a sense of community.


Choice Headquarters

By Plan Associates, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Popular Choice Winner, Office – Low Rise (1 – 4 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

Choice Headquarters is located in Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Mai, surrounded by cultural treasures like Long-kao (rice harvest houses), the Wall of Chiang Mai, and traditional Thai terraces. These elements are thoughtfully integrated into the modern architecture, which features a simple plan with a four-story reinforced concrete structure centered around a courtyard that brings natural sunlight into the building.

The entrance hall is elevated for natural ventilation, and a grand staircase transitions between the first-floor plaza and the open space on the second floor, serving as a multi-purpose area for office activities, relaxation, meetings, and seminars. The space is oriented to optimize wind flow and sun shading, with the core area on the west side and long-use spaces like offices and meeting rooms on the north, south, and east sides. The column-free design creates a flexible open area, and the main staircase encourages exercise. The workspace is a mix of informal and formal spaces, fostering creativity and adaptability.


Lumber 4

By Oslotre Arkitekter, Kristiansand, Norway

Jury Winner, Office – Mid Rise (5 – 15 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

“Lumber 4” is a six-floor commercial and office building with a recessed ground floor for commercial use and five upper floors dedicated to office spaces. The structure features mass timber construction, with glued laminated timber columns and beams, and floors made from a composite of CLT and concrete. This slim, efficient floor system spans long distances while meeting fire and acoustic requirements. The building includes diagonals on the ground floor for better vehicular access and utilizes the existing communication core from adjacent phases for lateral stability and access to office floors.

An atrium with a mass timber internal staircase is introduced between the third and fourth floors, showcasing prominent wood elements that provide warmth in winter and cooling in summer. The façade consists of prefabricated curved pine elements treated with green paint, with straight eaves creating curved shadows on the panels. Over time, the paint will weather, resulting in a dynamic façade with lighter and darker sections. The building uses wood fiber insulation and fire-treated pine cladding.


KNEM Offices

By b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos, Barcelona, Spain

Popular Choice Winner, Office – Mid Rise (5 – 15 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

The KNEM Offices are located on a plot that was once part of the former jute spinning mill of Hermanos Godó, known as “El Cànem.” The façade of the existing building facing Doctor Trueta Street, included in the Architectural Heritage Protection Plan, has been preserved. The program is distributed in three volumes: two blocks facing the streets and a central block that joins them through a large landscaped patio.

A continuous masonry plinth runs along the perimeter, unifying the three volumes into a single programmatic and formal body. Two glass boxes, screened with an aluminum lattice evoking the weaving of jute fibers, are supported and raised on this plinth. This design contrasts the industrial past with the contemporary elements of the new building. The blocks facing the street offer large, flexible office spaces thanks to strategically located vertical cores and a post-tensioned concrete structure. The central block comprises smaller duplex-type offices open to the central passageway, reminiscent of the old industrial workshops that once populated Poblenou.


Huamu Lot 10

By Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Shanghai, China

Jury Winner, Office – High Rise (16+ Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

To create a sustainable mixed-use urban environment that invites tenants and visitors to experience nature and art in an active setting, Huamu Lot 10 showcases a new form of participatory urbanism. The project features three office towers and a future museum situated around a central grand plaza, landscaped with lush greenery, water features, and meandering walkways. This plaza, activated by surrounding cultural programming, is designed to accommodate large-scale artwork.

Each of the three towers is efficiently planned and rationally massed to make a strong statement and adapt to future contexts. The glass curtain wall façades provide panoramic views and ample natural light, with strong horizontal elements emphasizing rigidity. Subtle cantilevers at uniform heights create a visually connected Sky Gallery, an iconic gesture above the neighborhood. At night, these cantilevered elements are illuminated to highlight Huamu Lot 10. Stepped gardens on roofs and terraces offer verdant outdoor gathering spaces with sweeping city views.


Uniview Headquarters

By GOA (Group of Architects), Zhejiang, China

Popular Choice Winner, Office – High Rise (16+ Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

Uniview Headquarters represents a modern, technology-driven corporate environment designed for efficiency, dynamism and functional integration. Nestled in Hangzhou’s high-tech industry zone, it extends to the southern tip of an urban landscape axis. A large sunken garden within the site connects to an urban park, serving as the district’s public green core. The headquarters’ west interface features a sweeping curve that embraces nature, while the south and east maintain a neat design, aligning with the surrounding cityscape.

The headquarters includes a 22-story administrative office tower, an eight-story R&D center, and a service and leisure hub at the base. A covered ground-level corridor facilitates smooth navigation and efficient access for staff and visitors. Designed to foster an open and vibrant atmosphere for over 5,000 employees, the R&D center offers a flat, expansive floor space on each level, connecting intimately with the functionality below. The basement serves as a leisure hub with a cafeteria, fitness center, library, café, and retail spaces.


Duntax Office

By 6717studio, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Jury Winner, Low Rise (1 – 4 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

Duntax Office, located in the Tan Phu District of Ho Chi Minh City, sits at an intersection with an open view but uninspiring surroundings. The construction faces challenges from global warming and environmental pollution, and the investor desired rapid completion with structural durability and city-landscape integration. The initial idea for the building was to use lightweight structures integrated with green patches and environmentally-friendly features, creating a modern workplace with an inspiring and serene atmosphere, detached from the hurried urban life.

The structure features smooth curves instead of sharp corners, offering distinct designs from different perspectives, making it stand out. Irregular greenery enhances the building’s appeal and charm. The staircase is positioned at the west end to maximize space and block heat, while workplaces are placed at the front for better lighting and views. Inspired by traditional Vietnamese architecture, the terrace includes a garden, pond, and canopy, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.

The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

The post Office of the Future: 6 Ways Architects Worldwide Are Flipping the Workplace Model appeared first on Journal.

Beyond the Backsplash: 4 Surprising Uses of Tile Detailing in Contemporary Architectural Interiors

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.  

Tiles have always held a special place in design, but their role has evolved dramatically over time. In many cultures, tiles have been used for centuries to decorate sacred spaces, protect homes from harsh climates and tell stories through intricate patterns. From the mosaics of ancient Persia to the colorful azulejos of Portugal, tiles have been both functional and decorative, deeply rooted in vernacular architecture.

Today, tiles are making a bold return — not just in traditional settings but across different use cases like never before. Designers are now pushing the boundaries, using tiles to transform living spaces, commercial projects and even public areas. What was once a practical material is now a medium for artistic expression, capable of infusing spaces with color, texture and personality.

This shift reflects a growing movement in which tiles are no longer confined to kitchens and bathrooms. Instead, they are taking center stage in living rooms, lobbies and beyond, becoming key elements that define a space’s character. Whether used to create a sense of warmth, add a touch of luxury or make a bold visual statement, tiles are now a vital tool in the contemporary designer’s toolkit.

In this piece, we’ll explore how tile detailing is reshaping contemporary interiors through four award-winning projects that exemplify different approaches to this exciting development.


1. Creating Focal Points in Large Spaces

U.S Bank Center by SkB Architects, Seattle, Washington

In modern design, as open-plan layouts become more prevalent, there’s an increasing need for elements that can define and anchor smaller spaces within larger areas. Typically, designers might rely on furniture, lighting or even color to create these focal points, but more and more are using tiles to achieve this in innovative ways. Tiles are being utilized not just as surface coverings but as key elements that draw attention to specific architectural features, thereby creating visual interest and guiding movement through expansive spaces.

The U.S. Bank Center in Seattle showcases how tiles can be leveraged to create impactful focal points within large, open spaces. The building’s atrium, once a functional but uninspiring area, was transformed through the strategic use of dark green tiles. These tiles were carefully selected to frame and highlight significant architectural elements such as columns and archways. Their color and texture add a rich depth to the atrium, while simultaneously creating a visual language that naturally guides visitors through the space.

U.S Bank Center by SkB Architects, Seattle, Washington

Such an approach transforms the atrium from a mere passageway into a dynamic and engaging environment that leaves a lasting impression on those who pass through. By defining and highlighting key architectural features, the tiles create a cohesive visual rhythm that ties the large space together, guiding visitors intuitively and improving their overall experience.

But the design doesn’t stop there. Another unexpected twist comes with the use of penny tiles. These 3.6 million penny tiles, in varying shades of green, cover both the walls and ceiling, adding texture and continuity throughout the atrium. Reflecting sunlight, they brighten the space, making it feel open and inviting.

Strategically placed on the walls, the penny tiles draw the eye upward, emphasizing the atrium’s height and creating a connection between design elements. On the ceiling, they add a tactile quality that encourages visitors to look up and engage with the space.


2. Adding a Modern Touch to Historic Spaces

With the increasing popularity of adaptive reuse and renovation projects, designers are often tasked with integrating modern elements into historic spaces — a challenge that requires balancing respect for the original character with the introduction of contemporary flair. Traditional approaches might include carefully selected furnishings or subtle lighting adjustments. Recently, however, another trend has taken center stage. The versatile solution in question? You guessed it — tiles!

The Taproom at Tenczynek Brewery in Poland is a compelling example of how tiles can bridge the gap between historic preservation and modern design. Located in a building with a rich brewing history, the space required a design approach that honored its rustic origins while also appealing to contemporary tastes. To achieve this, the designers chose deep burgundy ceramic tiles to wrap around a central column — a decision that immediately draws the eye and serves as a focal point.

The contrast between the glossy finish of the tiles and the rough texture of the exposed brick walls creates a dialogue between the past and present. Apart from simply standing out and drawing the visitor’s attention, the tiles initiate a conversation between the building’s historical context and its new function as a modern taproom. This careful interplay of textures and colors revitalizes the space, ensuring it feels both historically grounded and refreshingly modern.

This approach highlights how tiles can serve as a powerful tool in the evolution of historic spaces, bridging eras and styles to create environments that are both timeless and contemporary.


3. Creating Cohesion and Connectivity

The Blue Line Apartment by Asooarch Company, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran

In residential design, particularly in spaces with multiple functions, there’s a well-known need to maintain a sense of cohesion and flow. Traditionally, this might be achieved through a consistent color palette or a well-thought-out layout. However, when tiles are no longer confined to kitchens and bathrooms, they can become the glue that holds a space together — quite literally.

The Blue Line Apartment in Bandar-e Mahshahr is a prime example of how tiles can be used to connect distinct areas within a living space, enhancing the overall sense of unity. Designed to cater to the varied needs of its occupants, the apartment features separate zones for living, working and relaxation. The challenge in this project was to create a sense of connectivity across these distinct areas and the solution came in the form of a continuous line of handmade blue tiles that runs throughout the space.

The Blue Line Apartment by Asooarch Company, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran

These tiles create a visual link that ties the space together, ensuring that each area, despite its unique function, contributes to a cohesive whole. The vibrant blue tiles guide the eye through the apartment, establishing a flow that makes the transition between living, working and relaxation zones feel natural and fluid. The tiles not only unify the design but also bring an energetic vibe to the space, adding life and personality to the apartment. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the tiles’ durable, water-resistant nature makes them a practical choice for wet areas like the Jacuzzi and sauna, proving that design can be both beautiful and functional.


4. Reflecting Local Traditions

CASA MYM by Numero 26 Studio, Murcia, Spain

Another noticeable shift in today’s design landscape is the growing movement towards vernacular and contextually aware architecture, an approach that seeks to honor local traditions while incorporating contemporary aesthetics. Tiles, with their deep roots in cultural history, are increasingly being used to bring a sense of place and identity to modern homes.

CASA M Y M in Murcia, Spain, is a striking example of how tiles can be used to express and preserve local identity. Nestled in the lush orchards of Murcia, this house draws heavily on the region’s traditional building techniques and materials, including locally sourced wood, reeds and ceramic tiles. These elements anchor the design firmly in its environment, creating a strong and authentic connection to the surrounding landscape.

CASA MYM by Numero 26 Studio, Murcia, Spain

The ceramic tiles used throughout CASA M Y M are not merely decorative; they are deeply symbolic. The patterns on the tiles are inspired by traditional embroidery motifs from the region’s horticultural workwear, infusing the home with a cultural narrative that speaks to its agricultural heritage. These tiles are strategically applied across floors, walls and even the steps leading to the pool, crafting a cohesive aesthetic that ties the interior and exterior spaces together.

The application of these tiles does more than just improve the home’s visual appeal; it tells a story. By integrating motifs and materials that are intrinsic to the local culture, the design provides a sense of place that is both genuine and resonant. CASA M Y M illustrates how tiles can be used to provide context, creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply rooted in their cultural and environmental settings.

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.  

The post Beyond the Backsplash: 4 Surprising Uses of Tile Detailing in Contemporary Architectural Interiors appeared first on Journal.

“Frameless”: The Architecture of Immersive Art Experiences

Architizer is thrilled to announce the world' best architecture firms in 2024, all winners of the 12th Annual A+Awards! Want to get your firm in the running next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to our A+Awards Newsletter. 

Frameless” is the UK’s largest permanent multi-sensory art experience. In 1928, the Regal, one of the country’s most renowned cinemas, opened in Marble Arch in central London. Following WWII, the building reopened as Odeon movie theatre and in 2016, it became a mixed-use residential development with a very large (and empty) basement, initially intended to be converted yet into another cinema. Instead, the space was eventually transformed into four galleries, showcasing some of the world’s greatest works of art in the most innovative and immersive way possible.

Visitors experience the works of Dali, Monet, Kandinsky and van Gogh literally from the inside: they are not mere observers but rather stand within the art that envelops them, able to see, experience, and to some extent interact with the paintings’ tiniest details, while listening to carefully crafted soundscapes. The four galleries, Beyond Reality, Color in Motion, the World Around Us and the Art of Abstraction, recreate, through a series of projections, famous paintings from surrealism to impressionism and abstraction, and redefine what a traditional art gallery should be.

As an architect, I can’t help but wonder what sort of construction expertise and technology was required in order to materialize such complicated and large scale project. According to project manager James Griffiths, construction commenced in October 2021 and was completed in the impressive timeframe of only nine months. The three primary design principles of the project included: constructing a “narrative of materials”, having as little environmental impact as possible and operating “Frameless” with renewable energy.

According to project architect Angus Pond, different bases such as stone, metal, glass and fabrics were used to ‘create an environment that combines utilitarian functionality with a sense of glamor and even theatrical overtones.’ In parallel, the construction team found innovative techniques to reuse as much of the materials found on site and eventually power the venue by using 93% renewable energy. After the interior shell of the space was constructed, an impressive amount fifty 3-Chip DPL laser projectors were installed, delivering 479 million pixels and 1 million lumens of brightness and vivid colors, clearly depicting every brushstroke and splash of paint, and were complimented by 158 loudspeakers that emanated 360-degree surround sound.

Similarly to how artists throughout the centuries sought to bring their dreams, nightmares and myths into reality, “frameless” is a type of architecture that merges spatial technology, design and construction in order to transport the people living in reality to imaginary worlds. The project is an example of immersive architecture, proving that even though there is an array of implementation challenges, it is not impossible to create real-world “phygital” (physical and digital) environments.

Immersive architecture is most likely found in art and exhibition as well as entertainment venues, retail and commercial stores and public spaces, and has gradually become an integral part of the discipline, where carefully curated imagery, light, sounds and textures create impactful experiences that surpass traditional spatial design. Brand flagship stores often integrate interactive displays or creative lighting and acoustic solutions to “connect” the customer with their products. Installations in public spaces react to environmental changes, the time of the day and even to individual users, while performance spaces utilize projectors and surround sound to deliver state-of-the-art experiences.

Still, what is so beneficial about this concept of hybrid reality and immersive architecture? Apart from the fact that spaces will continuously become a lot more personalized to each individual, by adding more “ingredients” to architectural design – such as sound, touch and even smell – space becomes more exciting. It is not by chance that such design methods are primarily used for producing entertainment and storytelling experiences since these uses require a person’s utmost attention in order to be successful.

Nevertheless, they point the way to an architecture that prioritizes emotion over function and creates environments that resonate on a deeper, more intuitive level with those who inhabit them. What if we could then extend this approach to hospitals, schools and even transportation facilities? Ultimately, the benefit of immersive architecture and hybrid reality lies in their ability to humanize spaces, making them more aligned with our emotional and sensory needs.

Architizer is thrilled to announce the world' best architecture firms in 2024, all winners of the 12th Annual A+Awards! Want to get your firm in the running next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to our A+Awards Newsletter. 

Featured image generated by Architizer on Midjourney

The post “Frameless”: The Architecture of Immersive Art Experiences appeared first on Journal.