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“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.

Emotional Architecture: How Curves and Lines Influence Human Experience

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.

When you enter a building, you often immediately sense how it will make you feel. Whether a space feels comfortable and open or claustrophobic and closed off, cold and rigid or organic and fluid, the shapes of spaces — their curves, angles and configurations — play a significant role in their psychological impact and how we perceive them.

Architecture is not just about creating functional spaces; it is about crafting environments that resonate with human emotions and enhance well-being. The shapes and forms used in architecture, particularly curves and lines, play a crucial role in influencing how we feel and behave within a space. By examining studies on shape-induced emotions, exploring examples of therapeutic architecture, and understanding the role of design in user experience, we can appreciate how architecture impacts our emotional and psychological state.


The Psychology of Shapes in Architecture

Karen Blixens Plads Copenhagen, Denmark by Cobe

Karen Blixens Plads, Copenhagen, Denmark by Cobe

The human brain responds instinctively to different shapes and forms, which can evoke various emotional and psychological reactions. Understanding these responses allows architects to design spaces that promote positive experiences and well-being.

Curves and Organic Shapes: Comfort and Connection

Hutong Bubble 218 Beijing, China by MAD Architects

Hutong Bubble 218 Beijing, China by MAD Architects

Hutong Bubble 218 by MAD Architects, Beijing, China

Curved shapes are often associated with comfort, safety, and naturalness. In fact, curves can reduce stress and promote relaxation by actually easing our brains’ threat response. Curves in architecture can mimic organic forms found in nature, like hills, rivers and plants, evoking feelings of calm. Others might perceive curves as facilitating a sense of flow and movement, gently guiding people through a space.

Research in environmental psychology has shown that people tend to prefer spaces with curved elements over those dominated by straight lines. A study by Oshin Vartanian, a professor of perception, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, and colleagues found that participants rated rooms with curved features as more beautiful and pleasant than those with angular designs. The study indicates that when people viewed spaces with curves, the area of the brain associated with emotions and reward was activated, suggesting a sense of safety and positive emotional responses.

I would also categorize spiral shapes alongside curves and circles, as they share the same gentle, flowing qualities. Like other curved forms, spirals are often found in nature and have a unique psychological impact compared to geometric shapes. In architecture, spiral shapes can create a sense of dynamism and fluidity within a space, evoking feelings of movement and transformation. They can symbolize the ongoing cycle of life and evolution, suggesting growth and progress. This is often achieved by incorporating spiral staircases, ramps or curvilinear forms that guide people through a space in an organic, flowing manner. These elements can enhance the experience of a building by encouraging exploration and interaction, reflecting the natural rhythms and patterns found in the world around us.

Lines: Clarity and Structure

Wangbangyo, Ulsan, South Korea by On Architects Inc.

Wangbangyo, Ulsan, South Korea by On Architects Inc.

Wangbangyo by On Architects Inc., Ulsan, South Korea

Straight lines and angles, on the other hand, convey a sense of clarity, order, and structure. They can evoke feelings of stability and strength, which is why they are often used in institutional and commercial architecture. However, excessive use of straight lines can also lead to perceptions of rigidity and coldness. Moshe Bar, an Israeli neuroscientist, conducted studies showing that angular designs activate the brain’s threat perception center. This response may have evolutionary roots, as our brains might perceive sharp angles as potential threats.

While straight lines are associated with efficiency and functionality, they can also create environments that feel impersonal or harsh. In architecture, many people I know tend to gravitate towards designing with straight lines and right angles because they find these forms to be “cleaner” and “easier” to work with. If you move away from using right angles and straight lines, you often find yourself exploring more parametric designs, which are not only more challenging to model and work with, but also more complex to understand and solve from an architectural standpoint.


Somewhere Between

Moliner House, Zaragoza, Spain by Alberto Campo Baeza

Moliner House, Zaragoza, Spain by Alberto Campo Baeza

The integration of curves and lines in architecture goes beyond aesthetics; it shapes how people interact with and experience space. Thoughtful design can enhance user experience by considering the emotional impact of architectural forms. I find this topic fascinating because it applies not only to architecture but also to a wide range of design fields and professional strategies. In my opinion, although research indicates that straight lines and sharp edges in architecture might be associated with increased feelings of stress or perceived threat, this isn’t universally true for all architectural experiences. The impact of shapes on our emotions is nuanced and influenced by a multitude of factors that interact to shape our perception of a space. Some nuances to consider could be:

1. Context and Functionality

In many architectural contexts, straight lines and sharp edges convey clarity, order, and strength. These features can create environments that feel professional, organized, and efficient. For instance, corporate offices and institutional buildings often utilize straight lines to emphasize functionality and reliability. In these settings, the perception of sharpness or rigidity can be mitigated by the intended purpose of the space, which might prioritize focus and productivity over comfort.

2. Balance with Other Design Elements

The overall emotional impact of a space is often the result of a careful balance between various design elements. While sharp edges might initially suggest a sense of harshness, they can be softened by incorporating other features such as:

Lighting: Warm, natural lighting can soften the appearance of hard lines, making a space feel more welcoming.

Materials: The use of natural materials, such as wood or stone, can counteract the severity of straight lines, adding warmth and texture to the environment. Integrating water features or soft landscaping into the design can also help soften sharper edges and create a more gentle appearance.

Color: Color palettes can significantly alter the perception of a space. Soft, neutral colors can create a calming effect, while vibrant colors might energize the space.

Furniture and Decor: The inclusion of curved furniture and decor elements can provide contrast and balance to spaces dominated by straight lines, introducing a sense of flow and comfort.

3. Personal Preferences and Experiences

Individual preferences and personal experiences also play a critical role in how a space is perceived. What might feel cold and uninviting to one person could feel clean and modern to another. Personal associations and cultural backgrounds can shape our emotional responses to architectural elements.

4. Architectural Intent

The architect’s intent and vision for a space are paramount. Sometimes, a sense of tension or drama is deliberately introduced to evoke specific emotions or thoughts. In these cases, sharp lines and edges can be used to create a sense of awe or emphasize a building’s purpose, such as in museums or art galleries where the architecture itself is part of the artistic narrative.


Understanding the complex interplay of design elements that influence our emotional experience of a space allows architects to create environments that resonate with their intended purpose and audience, offering a nuanced balance between form, function, and human experience. Successful architectural designs balance these elements to create spaces that are both beautiful and efficient. Each form can be used to its advantage, enhancing the overall experience for occupants.

The votes are in, and Architizer is thrilled to unveil the winners of the A+Product Awards! Register for Architizer's A+Product Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

The post Emotional Architecture: How Curves and Lines Influence Human Experience appeared first on Journal.

30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago

These annual rankings were last updated on August 16th, 2024. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking.

Chicago is near the top of many enthusiasts’ lists or architectural pilgrimages. After being destroyed by a fire in 1871, like a phoenix, Chicago rose from its ashes, and in the process, it became an urban incubator for skyscraper design. Throughout the next several decades, architects explored the possibilities of steel frame construction and plate glass. Architects like Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies pioneered novel theories and designs, in the process devising methods for erecting taller and taller buildings with unique ways of expressing their structural prowess.

Fast forward to today, and Chicago remains an influential producer in the architectural world. More and more, the city has turned its attention to landscape architecture and the architecture of public places. This urban-oriented approach is apparent in many leading firms found in the following list.

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 Chicago 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 Chicago architecture firms throughout the year.

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


30. OKW Architects

© OKW Architects

© OKW Architects

OKW Architects is in the business of reimagining, reinventing, and repositioning. We use our design and business acumen to improve the built environment in creative and imaginative ways.

Some of OKW Architects’ most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped OKW Architects achieve 30th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 11

29. Earles Architects and Associates (EAA)

© Earles Architects and Associates (EAA)

© Earles Architects and Associates (EAA)

Innovating Successful Environments is what inspires us. Established in 1991, Earles Architects and Associates (EAA) is a full-service architectural design firm offering a wide range of architectural, interior design and planning services. EAA has years of experience with a variety of clients in the corporate, tenant development, healthcare, institutional, industrial and retail/hospitality sectors. Innovation is at the core of every architectural design solution we create and evident in the thousands of projects we’ve successfully delivered. We are strong proponents of the “team approach”, partnering well not only with our clients but with everyone involved; from brokers and building owners to engineers and contractors.

Some of Earles Architects and Associates (EAA)’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Earles Architects and Associates (EAA) achieve 29th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 17

28. Bailey Edward

© Bailey Edward

© Bailey Edward

Bailey Edward is a purpose-driven, forward-thinking, and award-winning architecture and engineering firm that offers creative design solutions for the way people live, work and learn. Their innovative team employs an integrated and effective design approach to respond to the needs of the public. Every project is approached with a sense of social contract, purpose and a promise to deliver clients creative and responsive solutions.

Founded in 1991, the Illinois-based firm practices throughout the Midwest with offices in Chicago, Fox River Grove and Champaign. Every project is approached with a sense of social contract, purpose and a promise to deliver clients creative and responsive solutions.

Some of Bailey Edward’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Bailey Edward achieve 28th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 21

27. Vinci-Hamp Architects

© Tom Harris

© Tom Harris

VHA is committed to the improvement of the built environment through the preservation of historic buildings and the design of new buildings of the highest quality. Historic architecture, through its materials, detailing, scale and proportion, contributes to a rich and pleasing built environment. Such buildings should be preserved, both for their historic significance and for their adaptability to other, contemporary uses. VHA has considerable experience with historic architecture, both as a defender of Chicago’s buildings and as architect for numerous preservation and reuse projects. VHA’s new buildings demonstrate that contemporary architecture develops through straightforward expressions of function, structure and materials. Like the best buildings of the past, our new buildings emphasize dignified spaces, refined proportions and quality materials. We strive for buildings that are clearly organized, well built and relatively timeless in their forms and details.

Some of Vinci-Hamp Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Vinci-Hamp Architects achieve 27th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 2

26. GREC Architects, LLC

© GREC Architects, LLC

© GREC Architects, LLC

We are a group of architects, designers and planners who lead collaborative efforts with our team and our clients to provide creative and efficient project solutions.

Some of GREC Architects, LLC’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped GREC Architects, LLC achieve 26th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 20

25. Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

© Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

© Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

Searl Lamaster Howe Architects is committed to realizing inspiring spaces for clients who value where they live, work, play and learn. Each project is approached as a unique opportunity with a distinct set of needs and aspirations. Client collaboration at each step of the design and construction process is key to the quality of the office’s work. A project’s aesthetic is complemented and shaped by a detailed study of program, context, technology, and budget. The studio shares a commitment to creativity, innovation, sustainability, detail, and materiality. The firm portfolio includes residential, commercial and institutional projects that range from master planning to renovations to restorations to new construction; it is a member of the United States Green Building Council and offers full LEED services.

Some of Searl Lamaster Howe Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Searl Lamaster Howe Architects achieve 25th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 17

24. Palmyra PLLC

© Palmyra Geraki

© Palmyra Geraki

PALMYRA PLLC is a woman-owned full-service architecture practice based in Chicago. The practice, like its founder, is named after the city of Palmyra in present-day Homs Governorate, Syria, a city with an independent streak and an incredibly rich multicultural history. The archaeological site of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was partially destroyed by ISIS in 2015. Even in its ruinous state, Palmyra is a palimpsest, if there ever was any. In our practice we believe that we are never creating in a vacuum and the name of our practice serves as a reminder of that.

Architecture always starts with a problem: sometimes an eminently practical one and sometimes an abstract or conceptual one.

Some of Palmyra PLLC’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Palmyra PLLC achieve 24th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 1

23. dSPACE Studio

© dSPACE Studio

© dSPACE Studio

We are an award-winning architecture firm dedicated to architecture, interiors, and landscape. Our work is defined by thoughtful design and innovation. Every project is tailor-made. Project types include residential and commercial, with a focus on urban dwellings, vacation homes, and unique business spaces. Projects include new construction, renovations and additions.

We approach all projects individually. Each project starts with an exploration of client needs and evolves from budget, location, and context without imposition of preconceived styles or solutions. We strive to integrate environmentally sustainable design with green technologies and materials, whenever possible. We are dedicated to client satisfaction by meeting mutually agreed upon project requirements and goals.

Some of dSPACE Studio’s most prominent projects include:

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

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 14

22. moss design

© moss design

© moss design

moss is a multidisciplinary architecture and urban design studio. We provide a wide range of services and expertise throughout the project, from site selection to design, project management, construction, and completion. Our credentials include WBE certification, LEED accreditation, and Illinois, Michigan, and California licensure. Our work is diverse by design, allowing us to explore the best design solutions across various project types, including residential, commercial, hospitality, interiors, urban planning, and custom furniture.

Our approach is both collaborative and customized. We seek collaboration with owners and developers looking for more than a set of drawings but true partners in a comprehensive process. We explore work that stretches the boundaries of what an architect typically does, tapping the experience we’ve gained and generating innovative and transformative solutions.

Some of moss design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped moss design achieve 22nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 14

21. Pappageorge Haymes Partners

© YoChicago

© YoChicago

Since 1981, the architecture of Pappageorge Haymes Partners (PH) has had a profound influence on attitudes toward the rebirth of our cities and the promise of urban living. Our unique approach – both passionately civic and distinctly practical – has produced a remarkable and award-winning body of work that includes nearly every product and building type, from single-family homes to high-rises, expansive mixed-use developments, far-sighted neighborhood plans, and the creative adaptive re-use of structures across the United States. Well known for the collaborative, client-oriented approach and insightful skill we bring to every project, PH is widely recognized as an important leader in its field.

Some of Pappageorge Haymes Partners’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Pappageorge Haymes Partners achieve 21st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 22

20. Krueck Sexton Partners

© Krueck Sexton Partners

© Krueck Sexton Partners

Krueck Sexton Partners is a Chicago-based, nationally recognized architecture practice comprised of design professions dedicated to the realization of buildings that are reflective of our diverse clients. We work in close collaboration with industry-leading engineers and consultants, reinforcing an interdisciplinary and research-based studio culture. We have achieved a consistent design portfolio of the highest quality for over thirty years. Client participation is encouraged throughout a journey of discovery, when ideas and opportunities that best support the project goals begin to crystallize. This allows for the development of unique and specific solutions.

Some of Krueck Sexton Partners’ most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Krueck Sexton Partners achieve 20th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 7

19. bKL Architecture

© bKL Architecture

© bKL Architecture

bKL Architecture’s open studio environment encourages a spirited exchange of ideas. Our culturally diverse team brings together a broad range of skills, experiences and backgrounds to create a vibrant atmosphere and design process. At the center of our process is a focus on in-depth analysis, intensive experimentation and collaboration. Our team designs projects that only enrich sites and cities around the world in which we build.

Some of bKL Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped bKL Architecture achieve 19th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 9

18. Cordogan Clark & Associates

© James Steinkamp Photography

© James Steinkamp Photography

We create great environments. We are a full service architecture, planning, and engineering firm with deep experience in academic, civic, and residential architecture. Our portfolio includes many innovative, first of their kind projects. We have extensive experience in the design and technical development of building systems and the management of complex projects. We maintain a special focus on architecture that supports and benefits community.

Some of Cordogan Clark & Associates’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Cordogan Clark & Associates achieve 18th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 40

17. FGP atelier

© FGP atelier

© FGP atelier

Chicago-based global architecture firm FGP Atelier is changing the paradigm of what constitutes great architecture and building. Helmed by award-winning, Mexican-born architect Francisco Gonzalez Pulido (FGP), FGP Atelier was founded in September of 2017 following Gonzalez Pulido’s departure as partner and president of JAHN.

Some of FGP atelier’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped FGP atelier achieve 17th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 2
Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 10

16. Latent Design

© Latent Design

© Latent Design

Latent Design is a Chicago based full service architecture firm and strategic design consultancy working at the intersection of design and community development to create social, economic and environmental impact beyond the building. We use design as a tool to make the invisible forces impacting a project at local and global levels; policy, culture, climate, economy, visible through architecture. We offer innovative design solutions to those in resource and budget limited environments through a participatory approach that leverages local assets to directly generate project opportunities. Our collaborations range from small-scale tactical interventions, new construction community buildings, adaptive reuse, neighborhood master plans and design speculations.

Latent Design is a registered Benefit Corporation in the State of Illinois and is required by law to create and demonstrate positive social impact to the community through our work.

Some of Latent Design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Latent Design achieve 16th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 2
Total Projects 10

15. Goettsch Partners

© Goettsch Partners

© Goettsch Partners

Goettsch Partners (GP) is an architecture firm with a global perspective. Based in Chicago, with additional offices in Denver and Shanghai, we share a singular approach to design that combines seasoned experience with a passion for exploration and innovation. Our completed and active projects span five continents and represent a diverse range of types and sizes.

Some of Goettsch Partners’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Goettsch Partners achieve 15th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

Featured Projects 4
Total Projects 15

14. Partners By Design

© Partners By Design

© Partners By Design

As we mark our 30th year in business in 2023, Partners by Design continues to design and deliver powerful, one-of-a-kind spaces for our clients. Through our integrated approach, innovative solutions, and diversified suite of services (Interiors, Architecture, Spark Environmental Branding, and VIZfire Architectural Visualization), all under one roof, we continue to be an industry leader through our innovation, technology integration, and thought leadership on the direction and formation of new space typologies.

Our client-centric process driven by research and grounded in data, gives us a deep understanding of human behavior and what our clients face every day. Utilizing this behavioral understanding directly correlates to successful placemaking design and delivery.

Some of Partners By Design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Partners By Design achieve 14th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 1
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 13

13. SCB

© Darris Lee Harris Photography

© Darris Lee Harris Photography

SCB is an architecture, planning, interior and urban design firm. Founded in Chicago in 1931, SCB provides design services from four locations across the US. SCB is at the forefront of dense urban living, innovative workplaces, inspiring learning environments, resilient infrastructure, and vibrant communities. Through the collective impact of nearly a century of work, the firm has made an indelible mark on the contemporary landscape.

Some of SCB’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped SCB achieve 13th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 1
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 4
Total Projects 14

12. JAHN

© JAHN

© JAHN

JAHN is a unique architectural firm conceived to meet the challenges posed by the new millennium. Under the leadership of Helmut Jahn the firm has grown and evolved steadily from the original practice founded in 1937 by Charles F. Murphy, Sr. out of a tradition started with Daniel H. Burnham. The firm has carried the name Murphy/Jahn from 1979 to 2012 and is now known simply as JAHN. We believe our commitment to this balance is fundamental to the successful translation from architectural concept into built reality. We are committed to creating forward reaching buildings, which will endure the test of time and become a source of pride in the minds of owners, users, communities, and ourselves.

Some of JAHN’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped JAHN achieve 12th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 2
Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 22

11. Jacobs Ryan Associates

© Jacobs Ryan Associates, Mikyoung Kim Design

© Jacobs Ryan Associates, Mikyoung Kim Design

Jacobs/Ryan Associates combines knowledge, conceptual thinking and attention to detail to produce enduring landscapes. The firm believes three fundamentals are important to the success of all landscape projects: design, technology and management. Each plays a critical part in making the finished landscape meet the client’s expectations.

While we are known for our designs and aim for beauty in every finished product, we also believe form should follow function. We take advantage of technological advances that will improve both the process and outcome of a project, whether the concern is aesthetic, functional, ecological or economic. We rely on time-tested approaches to many landscape solutions because what has worked well may not need changing. We manage every project closely, giving it our focused, personal attention. Every project is assigned a partner who plays an active role in the day-to-day events of the project.

Some of Jacobs Ryan Associates’ most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Jacobs Ryan Associates achieve 11th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

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

10. Hoerr Schaudt

© Perkins&Will

© Perkins&Will

At Hoerr Schaudt, we design beautiful, purposeful gardens that connect people, site, and season. Gardens elicit joy, soothe our souls, and become places where we interact with each other and the world around us. Drawing upon centuries of time-honored tradition, our work layers botanical silhouettes to shape space and create settings that artfully blend the natural and built environments be it a residence, streetscape, campus, city park, or botanical garden.

Based in Chicago, with offices in Kansas City and Los Angeles, Hoerr Schaudt continues its 30-year mission to make gardens that thrive and delight.

Some of Hoerr Schaudt’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Hoerr Schaudt achieve 10th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 1
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 9

9. STLarchitects

© STLarchitects

© STLarchitects

STLarchitects is an internationally recognized architectural and design firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm is dedicated to the creation of architecture of exceptional quality, consistently navigating the delicate equilibrium between pragmatic considerations and idealistic aspirations. This commitment is manifest in the deliberate integration of essential attributes inherent in exemplary architectural endeavors, including the judicious manipulation of light and space, the meticulous orchestration of proportion and volume, the imposition of order and hierarchy, and the nuanced application of color and texture.

Some of STLarchitects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped STLarchitects achieve 9th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 3
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 5
Total Projects 16

8. JGMA

© JGMA

© JGMA

JGMA is a progressive architecture and design practice committed to active community involvement and the enrichment of peoples’ lives through the attentive and dynamic organization of space and materiality. We understand that quality design has a unique ability to influence civic life and transform communities.

We proudly consider ourselves innovators in the field of architecture and are dedicated to formulating consistently unique solutions to every design opportunity. Our work is conceptually driven but exhibits the highest level of quality at every stage of design, construction, and occupancy. JGMA is led by the firm’s president, Juan Gabriel Moreno, and is supported by a talented team of experienced architectural professionals.

Some of JGMA’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped JGMA achieve 8th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 1
A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 8
Total Projects 30

7. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

© James Steinkamp Photography

© James Steinkamp Photography

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture is dedicated to the design of high-performance, energy-efficient and sustainable architecture on an international scale. The firm approaches each project, regardless of size or scale, with an understanding that architecture has a unique power to influence civic life. We strive to create designs that aid society, advance modern technology, sustain the environment and inspire those around us to improve our world. Our office is dedicated to the creation of new paradigms for sustainable development.

Some of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture achieve 7th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 6
Featured Projects 7
Total Projects 25

6. Valerio Dewalt Train

© Tom Harris Photography

© Tom Harris Photography

Valerio Dewalt Train is a 50 person national architectural and design practice with offices in Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; and San Francisco, California. Since 1994, the firm has based its practice on the simple idea that whatever the question, design is the answer. But we also believe that before an answer can be provided, one has to do the research to make sure the question is understood.

As designers, we take a research-based approach to the design process; it is immersive and specific. This process allows us to explore the client’s DNA, user profile, research best practices and discover early on what sustainable strategies should be integrated in the project.

Some of Valerio Dewalt Train’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Valerio Dewalt Train achieve 6th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 7
Featured Projects 8
Total Projects 42

5. Ross Barney Architects

© Ross Barney Architects

© Ross Barney Architects

Ross Barney Architects is a Chicago-based architecture and urban design studio. Established by Carol Ross Barney, the studio occupies a unique place within the panorama of contemporary practice that is characterized by a reputation for work in the public realm. From community buildings to campus buildings for premier academic and research institutions, to groundbreaking transit stations that connect vibrant neighborhoods, Ross Barney Architects has produced distinctive structures that have become community icons.

The studio’s ideas and projects have been recognized by entities and publications from around the world. Ross Barney Architects’ work has been exhibited in Chicago, New York, Washington D.C.

Some of Ross Barney Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Ross Barney Architects achieve 5th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 2
A+Awards Finalist 6
Featured Projects 10
Total Projects 16

4. Wheeler Kearns Architects

© Wheeler Kearns Architects

© Wheeler Kearns Architects

Wheeler Kearns is a collective practice of architects. We work with people who seek to enrich their lives in spaces that embody their purpose, energy and vision.

When a space we design resonates with your deepest intention, it has a lasting and powerful impact. As we work with you, we devote all our energies to understanding your core purpose, the transformation you seek, your mission. We want to see your challenge through your eyes. Doing this guides us to what we call the “emotional center,” the heart around which your entire project revolves. We return to that central idea as we craft concepts, help you make decisions, and refine our responses to those choices.

Some of Wheeler Kearns Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Wheeler Kearns Architects achieve 4th place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Finalist 5
Featured Projects 20
Total Projects 36

3. Perkins&Will

© Perkins&Will

© Perkins&Will

Perkins&Will, an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, was founded in 1935 on the belief that design has the power to transform lives. Guided by its core values — design excellence, diversity and inclusion, living design, research, resilience, social purpose, sustainability and well-being — the firm is committed to designing a better, more beautiful world. Metropolis named Perkins&Will “Firm of the Year” in 2022 for its industry leadership in advancing climate action and social justice.

With an international team of more than 2,000 professionals, the firm has over 20 studios worldwide, providing integrated services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture.

Some of Perkins&Will’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Perkins&Will achieve 3rd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 5
A+Awards Finalist 12
Featured Projects 33
Total Projects 105

2. Studio Gang

© Studio Gang

© Studio Gang

Founded and led by Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang is an architecture and urban design practice headquartered in Chicago with offices in New York, San Francisco, and Paris. We work as a collective of more than 100 architects, designers, and planners, using design as a medium to connect people to each other, to their communities, and to the environment. We collaborate closely with our clients, expert consultants, and specialists from a wide range of fields to design and realize innovative projects at multiple scales: architecture, urbanism, interiors, and exhibitions.

Some of Studio Gang’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Studio Gang achieve 2nd place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 14
A+Awards Finalist 11
Featured Projects 32
Total Projects 45

1. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

© Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

© Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is an influential collective of architects, designers, engineers and planners, responsible for some of the world’s most technically and environmentally advanced buildings, and significant public spaces. From a strategic regional plan to a single piece of furniture, SOM’s designs anticipate change in the way we live, work and communicate, and have brought lasting value to communities around the world. The firm’s approach is highly collaborative, and its interdisciplinary team is engaged on a wide range of international projects, with creative studios based across the globe.

Some of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) achieve 1st place in the 30 Best Architecture Firms in Chicago:

A+Awards Winner 21
A+Awards Finalist 41
Featured Projects 64
Total Projects 111

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.

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Head Above the Water: Today’s Blueprints for Building Tomorrow’s Floating Cities

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.

With an estimated 2.5 billion people living within 62 miles (100 kilometers) of a coastline, rising sea levels pose a significant risk to human settlements. Traditional land reclamation methods are becoming increasingly unsustainable and environmentally damaging, thus sparking innovative solutions for water-based habitats that are both resilient as well as sustainable. The idea of a floating structure has been carried out as an architectural experiment in many instances. Especially in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Seattle, which are in immediate contact with the water, projects such as floating homes, bridges and piers are gradually becoming the norm.

One rather unusual example is the Floating Farm Dairy in Rotterdam by Goldsmith. It is a compact triple-stacked structure housing 40 dairy cows floating in the city harbor of the M4H development zone. The floating farm is an agricultural building based on nautical principles. As a result, its functional organization and use of materials are carefully selected. All heavy structural and technical functions are situated in the submerged part of the building, while the more lightweight components are placed on top. Concrete pontoons house the production of fruits, shielding them from the rain, while translucent polycarbonate is used for the façade.

01_Floating Farm Dairy

02_Floating Farm Dairy

Floating Farm Dairy by Goldsmith, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Reflecting upon the Floating Farm Dairy, the core principle of floating structures is modularity. This design allows for scalability and flexibility, enabling buildings, and potentially, large scale cities to grow organically based on the needs of their inhabitants. In the case of an urban planning strategy, the modules cease to be structural or functional components and are transformed in residential, commercial or in this case industrial proposals. In parallel, by integrating green spaces and urban farms within a city’s functional grid, these new structures provide fresh produce as well as help in regulating temperatures and improving air quality.

Another controversial structure is the Floating House by MOS Architects in Canada. It is part of a master plan of five proposed cabins based on the repetition of a standardized vernacular archetype. Due to the fact that a traditional on-site construction process would have been expensive and quite damaging to the island, the 2,200-square-f00t house was built on a steel pontoon structure near the lake shore. More accurately, it was assembled in a contractor’s shop and eventually towed and anchored to the site, where the final installations were carried out. The exterior cladding comprises of an inventive cedar rainscreen for the walls and roof, providing sufficient air flow within the house.

03_Floating House

Floating house demonstrates that using lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly materials is crucial for building on water. For example, innovations in materials science, such as timber or polycarbonate screens can provide the necessary strength while reducing weight. At the same time, off-site assemblies increase the chances of a more robust as well as zero-carbon construction process.

Finally, the project Floating Islands of Sky by unarchitecte in Chengdu, China, is a pontoon bridge that floats on the surface of the water acting as a crossing between two pieces of land. Numerous challenges such as low-cost construction, a ten-year lifecycle expectancy as well as the varying changes in water level had to be addressed. As a result, steel cables were used to secure the floating bridges to the bottom of the lake, while a series of partially perforated and water-permeable hydrophilic areas were designed in order to deal with the issue of buoyancy. The final design, consisted of seven islands in different sizes, covered in lush vegetation that included spaces for fishing as well as picnic and resting areas. The paths in-between these hexagonal artificial islands are made of planks controlled by air cushions that respond to the changing water levels.

The three projects display various innovative design methods with structural and environmental techniques that prove that floating structures are a very real possibility and not just a vision of a sci-fi future. As climate change accelerates, rising sea levels threaten coastal cities worldwide, putting millions at risk of displacement and thus urging architects to conduct further water-based building experiments. And yet, an ethical point arises, where overbuilding is what is currently causing the myriads of environmental changes happening to our planet, including the gradual flooding of coastal regions. Is it therefore the answer to resort to additional buildings — this time situated on water — in order to respond to this challenge? In other words, humans have already covered the land; wouldn’t then building on water become equally catastrophic for our future?

Contrary to soil and land, the water is much less unforgiving; it requires further study and consideration in terms of structural stability as well as what functions are truly necessary, instead of the ones that are, in fact, merely desired. Water harvesting, food production and energy are also harder to control. Consequently, “floating cities” is an architectural scenario much more sensitive to the world’s ecosystem, which not only responds to the impending crisis of rising waters but could even reverse the damage and impact of our current building philosophy.

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.

Featured Image: Floating Farm Dairy by Goldsmith, Rotterdam, Netherlands

The post Head Above the Water: Today’s Blueprints for Building Tomorrow’s Floating Cities appeared first on Journal.

Modern Masonry: 6 Technically Advanced Brick Buildings Turning Tradition on Its Head

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

As one of the few materials that has stood the test of time, brick holds a unique place in architectural history. From ancient Mesopotamia to contemporary urban architecture, bricks have been a constant, adapting to the needs and styles of each era. In ancient times, bricks were handmade from local clay, sun-dried and used to build everything from humble homes to monumental structures.

In contemporary architecture, brick is often seen as a vernacular material rooted in tradition and regional identity. This is a common misconception, however, since modern bricks are products of sophisticated fabrication processes, offering a range of finishes, strengths and ecological benefits.

While traditional brickmaking was labor-intensive and dependent on local resources, today’s bricks can be mass-produced with precise specifications, improving their performance and versatility. This shift has allowed architects to push the boundaries of brick use, creating structures that are both aesthetically unique and functionally superior.

These advancements have enabled architects to honor traditional aesthetics and vernacular uses while embracing modern design innovations. This collection explores six remarkable A+Award-winning projects that demonstrate the versatility and potential of modern brick, transforming this ancient material into a cornerstone of contemporary architecture.


Twisted Brick Shell Concept Library

By HCCH Studio, Zhejiang, China

Jury Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Brick 

This 32-foot (10-meter) diameter, 16-foot (5-meter-high) spiral shell structure uses red bricks with an unconventional technique. Instead of traditional masonry, bricks are cast in-situ, positioned by perforated steel plates and filled with high-strength concrete. This approach creates a continuous, double-curved surface that blurs the lines between interior and exterior spaces.

Unique construction techniques involve distributing bricks of 12 different widths along a UV grid to ensure radial continuity. This method subverts conventional brick construction, resulting in a pixelated, dynamic appearance. Encouraging visitors to connect with nature, body and mind, the library’s design and poetic integration with the landscape offer a transcendent experience.


Choice Headquarters

By Plan Associates Co.,Ltd., Chiang Mai, Thailand

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

While it definitely does not seem like it at first sight, the unique façade of this project is made out of brick. Locally sourced, these slender, hollow bricks act as heat-protecting louvers. Carefully aligned along the building’s exterior, they create a dynamic and functional façade.

Mounted onto a steel framework, the hollow bricks serve both as shading devices and aesthetic elements. Arranged in a pattern, they provide natural ventilation while shielding the interior from direct sunlight. This technique improves energy efficiency and gives the building a distinctive visual identity.

By integrating traditional materials with modern engineering, the design respects the region’s cultural heritage while embracing contemporary architecture. This approach demonstrates how vernacular materials can be adapted to meet modern sustainability and design standards.


Canvas House

By PARTISANS, Toronto, Canada

Jury Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Façades

Canvas House stands out in its Georgian neighborhood with a unique, undulating brick façade. The designers used a monochromatic brick palette and improvised corbel variations, creating a dynamic, sculptural look that contrasts with the surrounding symmetrical homes. Inspired by Larry Poons’ visual effects, the technique uses a repetitive bond pattern of five bricks. This achieves a consistent form that highlights brick’s potential for modern artistic expression while maintaining its traditional look.

Functioning as both a residence and an art gallery, the house features curved walls that integrate with ceilings and fixtures. Light and shadow play across the façade, which swells to form overhangs and recedes to allow skylights, reflecting the client’s theater background and maintaining traditional grace without conforming to conventional standards.


The Grand Mulberry

By MA | Morris Adjmi Architects, New York City, New York

Popular Choice Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Façades

Drawing inspiration from historic Italianate tenements, The Grand Mulberry uses custom-profiled bricks to reference its heritage. The tripartite façade features traditional banding at the base, pediment windows in the middle and arched windows with a cornice on top. Quoining details further define the structure.

While the façade pattern is traditional, the application of the hand-molded domed bricks is very modern — each brick was carefully positioned within the double-stacked running bond coursing to present the illusion of an Italianate façade.


KOLBADI HOUSE

By L.E.D Architects, Garmsar, Iran

Kolbadi House showcases yet another innovative brick facade. Only this time, it’s inspired by traditional Iranian desert architecture.|

Prefabricated steel grids position bricks with precise spacing, creating a textured surface inspired by historical designs. The grids can transform into transparent meshes in front of windows, seamlessly blending solid and open areas. This method enhances visual appeal while ensuring natural ventilation and lighting, maintaining the functionality of a traditional central courtyard.

Utilizing locally sourced bricks and adaptable construction methods, the design honors regional heritage while meeting modern building needs, demonstrating the potential of traditional materials for contemporary applications.


Bricks in Common

By AART, Copenhagen, Denmark

Did you know that advanced brick technology can cut carbon emissions by up to 75%? “Bricks in Common,” a pavilion at the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 in Copenhagen, demonstrates this potential through its design. The pavilion features three intersecting arches, each representing a different approach to sustainable brick production.

The smallest arch is made of traditional bricks, which are quite energy-intensive to produce. Next, you encounter the medium arch, crafted from the latest climate-friendly bricks. These bricks cut carbon emissions by 50%, showing significant progress. But the most ambitious is the largest arch, designed to achieve a remarkable 75% reduction in carbon emissions.

Through this design, “Bricks in Common” illustrates the vast potential of brick as a sustainable building material, serving as a powerful reminder of how innovative approaches to traditional materials can drive us towards a greener future.

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

The post Modern Masonry: 6 Technically Advanced Brick Buildings Turning Tradition on Its Head appeared first on Journal.

The Tiny Houses of New Jersey: What Architects Can Learn from a Mid-Century Beach Community

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.  

I was twelve years old the first time I visited Ocean Beach III, a small neighborhood in the shore town of Lavallette, New Jersey. The densely packed one and two-bedroom houses made an immediate impression on me, as did the unpaved sandy roads. Without trees or even structures over one story, there was little shade in this neighborhood, and the streets were flooded with sunlight. This was long before Hurricane Sandy, which encouraged some residents to lift their houses several feet off their foundations, somewhat changing the character of the neighborhood.

It wasn’t often in my suburban childhood that I visited a neighborhood that felt so distinctive. I remember telling my mom and brother that I really liked these “Monopoly houses.” My mom called them “bungalows.” They came in just a few colors: white, gray, sky blue, pale yellow and mint green.

All photos by Pat Finn

I liked these homes on the inside too. My mom’s cousins Jeanne and Kathy had a two bedroom bungalow, and I admired how condensed and efficient everything was. Unlike the larger houses I was familiar with, there was no room to waste space here, no extra closets or a garage to fill with trinkets. There also wasn’t a yard, just a small patio. You could sit here and talk to the next door neighbors on their patio, which was just a few feet away.

My family returned to Jeanne and Kathy’s house a few more times during my childhood, but I didn’t think much about Ocean Beach III until a few years ago when my parents bought their own house here. Their house is not one of the original midcentury homes, however. It is also raised, so it isn’t quite a “Monopoly” house — alas. There are some details, like a sun room and a cupola, that are cool but not quite in keeping with the Edward Scissorhands vibe of the original neighborhood. Still, the home is quite compact by American standards, with one floor and two bedrooms, and like all the other houses in Ocean Beach III, it stands on a tidy 1,500-square-foot (140-square-meter) lot. My parents really only use this house in the summer, but they have made closer friends with their neighbors here than they ever did at their year-round house on the mainland, which sits on a one-acre lot.

Since having children, I have spent more time at my parents’ house and have grown very attached to this beach community. It doesn’t feel quite like any other part of the Jersey shore. Despite the fact that this narrow stretch of the Barnegat peninsula is densely populated, there is no shortage of natural wonder here. My two year old son and I always see swans at the bay in the morning, and a few times we have even glimpsed dolphins in the ocean near the horizon line.

I have often wondered why more neighborhoods in America don’t have this unpretentious, egalitarian feel to them. Am I just picking up on a vacation vibe? Or is there something in the neighborhood’s history that has allowed it to remain an oasis of tiny houses in a state known for McMansions?

The story of Ocean Beach III begins after the end of World War II. As R.C. Staab reported in a 2023 article in New Jersey Monthly, the stretch of land between Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights was undeveloped at this time. Two businessmen, Fred Pearl and Ed Patnaude, had a vision to “turn sparsely developed ocean-view land into communities of vacation homes like the suburban tracts with modest, single-family homes springing up across the country.” The concept was never luxury development, but summer cottages for the working class people who were moving their families out to the suburbs. Home ownership had, at this time, become more accessible than ever before. Fred and Ed were betting on the fact that vacation homes would become more common too. While the duo at first had trouble securing loans for their project, they eventually found an investor in Ed’s brother-in-law.

Staab continues: “To make the economics work, the houses were basic: two bedrooms, a kitchen and living area, a very small bathroom with a shower and toilet, and a porch where a family could sit outside and hear the waves crashing along the beach. They divided up the land into 1,500-square-foot lots of stand-alone homes, side-by-side and back-to-back with enough room for a car (or two) to park and a small patio for barbecuing or taking in the early-morning sun.”

For $2,095, a family could purchase one of these 420-square-foot (40-square-meter) houses on cement slabs. These homes were basic: no heat, no insulation and no air-conditioning. “For showers,” Staab explains, “there was a tin bucket on the roof to collect rainwater that, weather permitting, would be heated by the sun. If a buyer wanted to splurge, a water heater cost $6.”

Fred and Ed’s development expanded quickly. Ocean Beach III was just one of four neighborhoods they created, but it arguably is the most distinctive due to its density. This neighborhood contains almost 1,000 houses in an area about one-third of a square mile. It is perhaps the densest area of single-family homes on the Jersey Shore.

One interesting feature of Ocean Beach III is that a number of homes are on leased land, so while the homeowners own the house they do not own the land. This arrangement keeps the housing prices low, but also allows the landowners to profit because the homeowners need to pay them an annual fee. Apparently, this was a plan of Fred and Ed, and they kept the deeds to a number of the plots. Their descendants still hold them, and thus make money from the development — even today.

The homeowner’s club at Ocean Beach III has made a point of maintaining the small scale of the development. “There are deed restrictions,” explains resident Kevin Iredell. “You can’t go up. You can’t put an addition on. You basically have to leave it the way it is. That keeps that old-school, 1950s kind of Jersey Shore feel.”

John McDonough, one of Fred Pearl’s grandsons, explains it this way: “These are small lots on small streets. [Fred and Ed] didn’t want big houses, tall houses, to create almost a tenement effect, which you have up in the big cities of North Jersey. Most everything is in a checkerboard pattern the way the houses are laid out, so it maximizes the space between each house. You can’t be closer than 10 feet to the rear lot line. You’ve got to be 20 feet minimum away from your neighbor. So there’s always at least 20 feet from all these little houses. You don’t feel like you’re cramped, like someone is right there.”

While many Ocean Beach III residents speak of the neighborhood as a throwback to the 1950s, a “simpler” time, I think of it as futuristic. In the 1950s, as people moved from tenements out to the suburbs, the trend was upsizing. More land, more space, and — for some people — even an extra little cottage out near the shore. This was the American Dream and, from the standpoint of the time, it had nothing to do with simplicity.

Today, however, there is a trend towards downsizing. The tiny house movement has taken off in the US starting in the 2010s as families across the country seek to reduce their energy footprints. While Ocean Beach III was not designed with these concerns in mind, architects can look to this community as a model for future construction. People are happy in Ocean Beach III, the community is walkable, and the population density does not take away from the residents’ ability to appreciate nature. To put it in urban studies terms, the model of detached but closely clustered single family homes on tiny plots might be a way to get the benefits of population density without the drawbacks.

I also think people are happier without attics and garages. There is just less temptation to hold onto junk. Although to be fair, if you look in the crawl spaces of these houses you will always find old surfboards and rusty crab traps.

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 The Tiny Houses of New Jersey: What Architects Can Learn from a Mid-Century Beach Community appeared first on Journal.

Retail Redefined: 6 Ways Architects Are Reconceptualizing Consumer Spaces

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

This year’s A+ Awards have brought to the forefront retail and shopping projects that redefine the boundaries of commercial architecture. Celebrating ingenuity, innovation and an acute sensitivity to the evolving consumer landscape, the winning projects exemplify how design can transform how we shop. From storefronts that seamlessly blend with their environments to sprawling retail complexes that invite exploration, these projects are not only beautiful but also setting new benchmarks for immersive design.

Many of the following projects are designed to be more than just places of commerce; they are envisioned as hubs that foster social interaction and contribute to the urban fabric. This year’s winners have created spaces that resonate with their users, encouraging repeat visits and long-term engagement. Highlighting a range of styles and concepts, the A+Award-winners offer a glimpse into the future of commercial architecture. Whether through integrated technology, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, or inventive layouts, these projects demonstrate that the possibilities in retail design. As we delve into the details of each winning project, it becomes clear that the future of shopping is not just about the transaction but about creating memorable experiences.


Apple Battersea

By Foster + Partners, Battersea, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Jury Winner, Retail, 12th Annual A+Awards

Apple Battersea features a modular design. Prefabricated solid timber avenues accommodate themed avenue bays and counter-based services within a universal framework. The design includes an Apple Pickup station, a reimagined Genius Bar for face-to-face support, and a customer experience area for visitors to try and customize devices. An energy-efficient displacement air strategy delivers conditioned air through the base of the avenues, creating a comfortable environment for staff and visitors.

To extend the store’s life and reduce its carbon footprint, the system can be easily modified, repaired and reassembled to adapt to future needs, using fewer petrochemical and carbon-intensive materials. The ceiling features biogenic acoustic baffles, minimizing the use of metals, while the bio-resin terrazzo flooring incorporates biopolymers, reducing the need for chemical resins. The store runs on 100 percent renewable energy and is carbon neutral. It integrates universal design principles, offering varied table and seating heights, wheelchair access, and portable hearing loops. The project respects the historic Grade II listed landmark by retaining central brick columns and using a material palette that harmonizes with the heritage-driven approach, balancing the historic with contemporary uses.


Komonokaen

By Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates, Japan

Popular Choice Winner, Retail, 12th Annual A+Awards

For Komonokaen, the goal was to create a new landmark in Mie Prefecture by integrating two sites across the road into a seamless landscape featuring a florist, plant shop, and café. Located in a tourist area, the project places the building in a U-shape, making the road feel like part of the garden. This design encourages visitors to feel as if they are already within the space even as they pass by. The glass façade and continuous eaves create an inviting, accessible environment, promoting continuity between the interior and exterior. The interior is designed as an open space without partition walls, utilizing a “stacked beam” method to construct long beams on-site, ensuring the use of locally available lumber and craftsmanship.

Local craftsmen played a pivotal role in the project, reflecting the client’s vision of creating a community-driven landmark. Materials were sourced and crafted locally, including 20,000 pieces of natural stone laid by a single craftsman and custom-mixed plaster for the interior. Rough stones were installed throughout the building, and an old piece of wood was repurposed for the entrance door, showcasing the ingenuity and dedication of the local artisans. Over five years, this collaborative effort resulted in a unique and enduring landmark for the town, embodying the client’s and craftsmen’s shared vision.


SKP Chengdu

By SYBARITE, Chengdu, China

Jury Winner, Commercial > Shopping Center, 12th Annual A+Awards

SKP Chengdu, a landmark in luxury mixed-use masterplanning, is the first blueprint of its kind for fashion, technology and art. This holistic and collaborative project by Sybarite, realized with partners Field Operations and Arup, seamlessly integrates contemporary luxury and next-generation luxury. The site features a blend of urban park and underground buildings, connected by avenues of hospitality, experience, and lifestyle, creating a sense of interconnectedness.

Spanning mixed-use retail and hospitality, SKP Chengdu reflects SKP’s commitment to scale and growth. The design, rooted in local cultural empathy, evolves the architectural codes established a decade ago, marked by ‘The SKP Curve’. The customer journey, themed “Parallel World,” links the park with the architecture, offering an experience-led utopian world. Field Operations’ landscape design celebrates Chengdu’s cultural diversity, linking sunken retail spaces with public realms, putting nature at the forefront of the retail experience.


The Commons Saladaeng

By Department of ARCHITECTURE, Bangkok, Thailand

Popular Choice Winner, Shopping Center, 12th Annual A+Awards

The Commons Saladaeng, the second development from the Commons family, is a vibrant venue for various F&B outlets and other activities in Bangkok’s historic Saladaeng neighborhood. Named after a red pavilion from the past, the design pays homage to this history with red rubber corrugated sheets, chosen for their acoustic properties and visual nod to the old train station roof. The building features eight small gables, reflecting past architectural scales, supported by a specially designed M-shaped roof structure that balances the sentimental scale of the past with modern operational needs.

A large ficus tree at the front of the site is the focal point, with the building’s facade curving away to minimize disturbance while emphasizing the tree’s presence. The middle volume is an open-air public space oriented towards the tree, offering a comfortable microclimate. Nearly 30% of the building footprint is a “Common Ground,” a large open-air public space that connects various levels of the building. This space features large steps with platforms, seating, and planting, equipped with industrial fans for continuous low-velocity ventilation.


Apparatus

By Buckley Gray Yeoman, London, United Kingdom

Jury Winner, Showrooms, 12th Annual A+Awards

Apparatus is focused on lighting and objects, and has expanded to Europe with a new showroom in London. The showroom is designed by BGY ID in collaboration with Apparatus Artistic Director Gabriel Hendifar. The 4,000-square-foot retail space spans two levels in a Grade II listed building. The design reimagines a boutique store, blending contemporary influences with cultural heritage. A key requirement was a minimal, flexible setting, achieved through an accessible ceiling made with an aluminum honeycomb core and finished with bespoke plaster. The square motif on the ceiling extends to the walls with circular detailing, and the main walls feature artistic plasterwork.

The ground floor features a chalk-like space with materials displaying gentle patina and bespoke net drapery that diffuses sunlight. Classical architectural influences appear in non-structural columns and geometric motifs. A stone portal leads to a staircase with a sweeping curve clad in v-grooved lacquered walnut burl panels. A brass handrail wrapped in hand-stitched suede and matching brass stair nosings add to the elegance. As visitors descend, the palette shifts from lighter tones to taupe and chocolate, with a velvet ceiling, deep plush carpet, and bronzed mirror paneling providing a backdrop on the lower level.


Wangbangyo

By On Architects Inc, Ulsan, South Korea

Popular Choice Winner, Showrooms, 12th Annual A+Awards

The late Jeongheui Shin revived the lost tradition of Joseon sabals (ceramic bowls) from the Joseon dynasty, creating the renowned “Ido Tea Bowls” and yellow tea bowls recognized in Japan. He studied Korean glaze and soil, reconnecting and developing Korea’s ceramic heritage. His son, Yongkyun Shin, continues this legacy by adhering to traditional methods, with a focus on Deombeong Buncheong pottery. His works reflect the calm and simplicity of traditional Korean life, harmonizing with nature.

In Wangbang Village, Samdong, a historical site for Buncheong ware production, Wangbangyo has established a new café and exhibition hall. This project aims to integrate ceramics with nature, showcasing them outdoors to blend with the natural surroundings. The design features eight walls that connect the mountains, symbolizing human-made cracked glaze over nature. This innovative approach creates a connection between interior and exterior spaces, encouraging visitors to explore their inner worlds while appreciating tea and ceramics. The minimalist architecture, influenced by the artisan’s sensibility, embodies the philosophy of enjoying and contemplating the void and fullness of life.

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

The post Retail Redefined: 6 Ways Architects Are Reconceptualizing Consumer Spaces appeared first on Journal.

Buying on a Promise: The Powerful New Role of Renderings in Real Estate Marketing

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.

Most of us are familiar with pre-ordering books, movies, clothing items and devices — paying in advance to secure one of the newest and most sought-after versions of that item. In the ever-evolving world of real estate, the concept of pre-selling residential units has gained significant traction. Developers often market and sell units based on detailed renderings and visualizations before the building is even constructed. This practice has become a staple in the industry, providing benefits to both developers and early investors. However, it also poses risks and challenges that buyers must consider. This article explores the trend of pre-selling residential units, showcasing select examples that demonstrate the compelling power of renderings and their impact on buyers.

Would you consider purchasing a condo years before it’s built, based solely on attractive renderings and the promise of a great building with no physical structure to inspect? What about the experience of seeing, touching, and even smelling your home before making such a significant purchase? How can you be certain that everything promised will be delivered?


The Concept of Pre-Selling

Pre-selling refers to the practice of selling residential units before the completion of construction. This approach allows developers to secure necessary funding, gauge market interest and mitigate financial risks. Buyers, on the other hand, often benefit from lower pre-construction prices and the opportunity to customize their units. However, purchasing a property based on renderings involves inherent risks, such as potential changes in design, construction delays, and discrepancies between the promised and delivered product.

I’ve seen projects unable to start construction until a certain percentage of units are pre-sold, ensuring significant interest before breaking ground. But I have always wondered, what makes people so drawn to this concept? Typically, buildings in a big pre-sale phase are high-end and brand-new with many perks, great locations and extensive amenities. This makes them attractive, hence the marketing and early sales strategy. Perhaps it’s the notion that you’re making a valuable real estate investment in something exclusive, with the potential risk of it selling out, or becoming more expensive if you wait. The allure of such an incredible building, combined with the fear of missing out, drives people to commit early to secure their place. Financial incentives, such as pre-sale discounts, flexible payment plans and customization options, further entice buyers. A well-established legal and financial framework, including escrow accounts and buyer protections, enhances buyer confidence. These conditions and tactics make pre-construction investments more appealing and convincing.


The Role of Renderings

Renderings are crucial in any architectural project for selling the client on the design. Without the ability to visualize the design, the project is less likely to succeed or sell. In real estate marketing, every interested party is a potential client, making renderings invaluable. They provide potential buyers with a tangible vision of the future property, helping them visualize the finished project and feel more comfortable investing in something yet to be built. High-quality renderings can highlight unique architectural elements, create emotional connections and build buyer confidence. Renderings have the power to evoke strong emotions, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, sometimes even filled with families to create a sense of togetherness. They can successfully illustrate the potential of the lifestyle you could enjoy if you were to live there. That’s why they are especially crucial in competitive markets, where standing out from other developments is essential.

Advanced technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), are also being integrated into the marketing strategies, offering immersive experiences that further enhance the appeal of pre-sold units. Showrooms, sales galleries and model units provide a tangible sense of the design, materials, and finishes. Exclusive launch events and private previews generate excitement and urgency, while strong branding and compelling storytelling emphasize the lifestyle, community, and unique selling points of the project.


Highly Successful Pre-Sale Buildings

Several high-profile projects have successfully used renderings to pre-sell units, demonstrating the power of visualizations in real estate marketing. I would like to explore three notable examples:

1. 520 Fifth Avenue by Kohn Peterson Fox (KPF), New York City, New York

520 Fifth Avenue Amenities Renderings (Credit: Binyan Studios)

520 Fifth Avenue by Kohn Peterson Fox (KPF), New York City, New York| Amenities Renderings by Binyan Studios

520 Fifth Avenue stands out as one of the most remarkable success stories in pre-sales, having sold over 50% of its units just three months after launch. It is on pace to become the fastest-selling condominium of 2024. This kind of traffic and interest is something that hasn’t been seen since before the pandemic, and likely can be attributed to its prime location just north of Bryant Park and its impressive 1,000-foot height that will make it the tallest residential building on Fifth Avenue.

Slated for completion in 2026, the architectural design showcased through stunning visualizations, offers a contemporary twist on Beaux-Arts style. The sales team at 520 Fifth Avenue notes that buyers are acting with urgency and are keen to purchase full floor plans. They believe that this demand is driven by a shortage of quality inventory, combined with the project’s appealing pricing, prime location and exceptional construction quality. The limited availability of high-quality options on the market has spurred interest, positioning this development as a highly attractive investment well before its completion.

2. 50 West 66th Street by Snøhetta, New York City, New York

Renderings of 50 West 66th Street, Credit: Recent Spaces Renderings of 50 West 66th Street, Credit: Recent Spaces

Renderings of 50 West 66th Street, Credit: Recent Spaces

50 West 66th Street by Snøhetta, New York City, New York | Renderings by Recent Spaces

Also over 50% sold, the pre-sales success of 50 West 66th Street can be attributed to its status as the tallest building on the Upper West Side, reaching 775 feet, and its prime location near Central Park and Lincoln Center. Designed by Snøhetta, this 70-story skyscraper offers residences with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, Central Park, and the Hudson River. In fact, this building represents Snøhetta’s first residential project in the United States, lending it distinctive architectural significance given the firm’s renowned reputation.

The building’s two residence collections—The House, with pre-war elegance, and The Tower, with modern glass-walled designs—cater to different tastes. The limited availability of new construction in the Upper West Side area, combined with the project’s architectural significance and prime location, has driven strong demand. Buyers have been eager to secure a home in this landmark building, ensuring a high quality of living in one of Manhattan’s most desirable neighborhoods. The renderings of this property excel at showcasing not only the building itself but also the surrounding views and cityscape, giving you a vivid sense of what living there would be like.

3. The Perigon Miami Beach by OMA, Miami, Florida

The Perigon Miami Beach by OMA, Credit: The Boundary

The Perigon Miami Beach by OMA, Credit: The Boundary

The Perigon Miami Beach by OMA, Credit: The Boundary

The Perigon Miami Beach by OMA, Credit: The Boundary

The Perigon Miami Beach by OMA, Miami, Florida | Renderings by The Boundary 

With construction well underway and scheduled for completion in 2026, The Perigon Miami Beach has stood out in the pre-sales phase due to its prime location that offers unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and Miami’s skyline. Designed by architects OMA, its position and location has fulfilled the need for a new tower in mid-beach. There has been overwhelming interest, with 70% of domestic buyers affirming the strength and quality of the design and the appeal of the larger residences. Additionally, there has been significant interest from foreign buyers, including those from Canada.

The strategic mid-beach location, combined with the building’s offerings and meticulous design, makes The Perigon a highly sought-after property. Buyers are motivated to pre-purchase units to secure a prestigious address in one of Miami’s most luxurious developments, anticipating both lifestyle benefits and potential value appreciation. The building’s renderings not only effectively sell the property and its units but, in my opinion, also successfully promote the city and what it has to offer. They showcase warm, inviting tones, expansive water views, brightly lit and welcoming spaces, and a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living, all of which are highly appealing.


Images as a Powerful Tool

Several key factors contribute to buyers’ confidence in investing in properties still under construction. Some of these include the developer’s reputation, the property’s location, and the development’s position within a rapidly growing area. Additionally, setting the right price for a building or unit requires comprehensive market analysis, cost evaluation, and a clear understanding of the project’s value proposition.

But above all else, in my opinion, the most impactful factor is the quality of the renderings created and the story behind the way they are being presented. Images have a powerful way of grabbing attention. People naturally gravitate toward the most visually appealing object or image in a room. Crafting an effective rendering goes beyond the skill of the visual artist; it involves a nuanced blend of trust, strategic marketing, understanding diverse audiences, delivering on promises and addressing what people truly want. Understanding the factors that drive buyer confidence and employing effective strategies can lead to successful pre-sales, while developers must manage expectations and ensure the final product meets or exceeds initial promises to maintain credibility and achieve long-term success.


Future Trends in Pre-Selling and Real Estate Marketing

The future of pre-selling in real estate looks promising, with emerging technologies poised to revolutionize the process. VR and AR are becoming more prevalent, allowing buyers to explore properties in an immersive environment before they are built. These technologies can provide a more accurate representation of the final product, reducing the gap between expectations and reality. Developers and architects who leverage these innovations can enhance their marketing strategies and improve buyer satisfaction. While the decision remains significant and demands careful consideration and thorough research for a successful investment, it’s expected that as technology advances and marketing strategies evolve, pre-selling practices will become increasingly common and sophisticated.

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

The post Buying on a Promise: The Powerful New Role of Renderings in Real Estate Marketing appeared first on Journal.

Peep Show: 4 Beautiful Buildings Designed To Showcase What’s Inside

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.  

If people-watching were a sport, I’m certain I’d be a gold medalist. That might have you raising an eyebrow or two, but stick with me here. The thing about humans is that we’re nosey. You can use the word curious if you’d like to be polite about it, but nosey works for me. There’s just something about seeing other people going about their daily lives and wondering where they are rushing off to and who they might be meeting. Is it somewhere fun? We just can’t help ourselves but wonder. It’s why reality TV is so popular; it’s why all the best cafes are on plazas. It’s even the reason apps like Instagram exist. We just like to see what’s going on in other people’s lives.

Unfortunately, there is often one very large obstacle that gets in the way of our unabashed curiosity. Those big, solid hunks of mass that our eyes just can’t seem to penetrate. Walls. Pesky walls hide any number of interesting things. Well, fret no more. It would appear that we, the nosey ones, are not alone, and these A+ Award-winning architects are more than happy to show us their inner workings. Each of the following projects has been designed in a way that invites the viewer to look deeper and ask the question, “Do we really need so many walls?”


Théâtre de Verdure

By Lemay, Montréal, Canada

Jury Winner, Hall / Theater, 12th Annual A+Awards

The Théâtre de Verdure first became a working outdoor theatre in 1956. Since then, it has hosted many wonderful performances. Its recent redevelopment, a new four-season concept, aims to strengthen the building’s relationship with its inner park location, honoring its beautiful natural surroundings and responding to them with sensitive interventions.

By making the main stage building lighter and opening up the sides and the rear, the architects have created an environment where landscape and architecture can comfortably coexist. They have reduced the stage’s visual impact on the park while intelligently incorporating the surrounding natural beauty into the performances that will take place on the outdoor stage. Glimpses of tree life and the evolving nature can be seen from within the stage — a decision that facilitates a beautifully immersive experience for performers and viewers alike. Additionally, as a through-and-through space, the simple stage’s entire depth is vastly apparent and can now be used to its full potential for shows that can gather a crowd of thousands of people.


Skew House

By DANILO DANGUBIC ARCHITECTS, Pancevo, Serbia

Popular Choice Winner, Multi Unit Housing – Mid Rise (5-15 floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

Photos by Miloš Martinovi?

Skew House in Pancevo is very much about its façade. It is a residential building made up of twenty-four units of varying sizes. On the inside, the building is modest and streamlined, with a conventional layout and color scheme. The exterior, however, is where the showing-off happens.

Equipped with sliding façade panels, the building is eye-catching and ever-changing. Offering both aesthetic appeal and intelligent practical benefits, the terracotta-tone panels are designed to slide and be adjusted by residents to control lighting and privacy. The perforated panels can be stacked, opened or lined up individually to achieve various levels of connection or disassociation to the outside, not simply to achieve a certain look but as a way of adjusting the internal temperature or level of daylight entering each of the apartments. This seemingly simple design feature assists in creating a comfortable climate for its individual inhabitants. It is a fantastic building that is effortlessly flexible and adaptable at a moment’s notice.


John A. Paulson Center

By KieranTimberlake and Davis Brody Bond, a Page Company, New York City, New York

Jury Winner, Higher Education and Research Facilities, 12th Annual A+Awards

Photos by Connie Zhou / JBSA

Finding adequate space in Manhattan is never easy. However, when you do, it’s always a good idea to make the most of your incredible surroundings, and that is exactly what KieranTimberlake, the architects in charge of creating New York University’s newest building, the John A. Paulson Center, have done.

Not far from Washington Square Park, the new building, designed to optimize interactions between various student groups and academic disciplines, fully takes advantage of its 360-degree relationship with the surrounding neighborhood. In a surprising move, the architects have chosen to place the building’s main circulation routes along the transparent perimeter of the structure, with all classrooms and instructional spaces at the center of the building. This unconventional but incredibly successful design choice gifts faculty and students with one-of-a-kind city views as they navigate the building, truly making the most of its remarkable location.

To passersby, the design has become a feature of interest. This unusual layout choice gives outside observers a sense of the activity going on within the building, connecting it to the rest of the city and encouraging the casual encounters and intellectual exchanges that are at the center of the NYU experience. From above, overlooking buildings can see a series of green roofs and outdoor terraces that brighten the upper landscape and help accentuate a connection with nature as well as the campus inhabitants.


Komonokaen

By Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates, Japan

Popular Choice Winner, Retail, 12th Annual A+Awards

Photographs by ToLoLo Studio

At face value, Komonokaen is a florist, a plant shop and a café. Yet, the place is so much more than a simple retail space. It is an integral part of its neighborhood, a landmark space within its hometown that strives to welcome visitors to linger and lounge in its tourist-heavy location.

Consisting of two structures separated by a road, the architects, Tatsuya Kawamoto + Associates, have taken great care to combine two sites into one experience with continuity and finesse. Positioned in a U-shape, the two buildings give the impression of one continuous property despite being two plots. The open-plan store has been designed specifically to attract passers-by and draw them off their path while encouraging them to meander through the tranquil space and explore.

Very few internal walls have been used in the design in a quest to remove barriers and strengthen the relationship between the indoors and outdoors. This idea is strengthened by the vibrant gardens that surround the building. By incorporating nature around and through the building, the architects have ensured the dissecting road becomes part of the building and customer journey, not an interruption. The design succeeds in creating an open and welcoming environment that feels cohesive and pleasant.

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 Peep Show: 4 Beautiful Buildings Designed To Showcase What’s Inside appeared first on Journal.

Building on the Edge: Can Antarctic Architecture Guide Global Sustainable Design?

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.

Recent temperatures at Cape Shirreff have rested at around 14 Fahrenheit (-10 Celcius). But once 55 miles per hour (89 kilometers) wind gusts are taken into account, it’s felt more like -16.6 Fahrenheit (-27 Celcius). Extreme cold by anyone’s standards, this couldn’t sound further removed from the hottest ever day recorded on Earth — Monday July 25th — when global thermostats averaged 16.3 Fahrenheit (17.15 Celcius). This beat the previous record, which had been set just 24 hours earlier. 

Yet sub-zero climates are where global heating is the strongest. Speaking with British polar explorer Felicity Aston MBE earlier this year about her all-female, four-year expedition to the Arctic, B.I.G. (Before It’s Gone), she painted a bleak picture. The project, which initially aimed to measure microplastics in sea ice, had to be completely reimagined because it’s becoming impossible to reach the North Pole on skis as once-frozen oceans become increasingly unstable and defrosted. 

Antarctica is experiencing similar phenomena on the other side of our planet. Since 1950, this snowbound continent has seen average annual temperatures rise by 37.4 Fahrenheit (3 Celcius), more than anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere, triggering a collapse of ice shelves that is gathering pace. This is the frontline of a climate crisis unfolding in real-time, and we need scientists here to fully understand what’s happening and what that might mean for the rest of us. Suffice to say, though, building in this remote environment is tough, let alone constructing something that can endure brutal elements over long periods of time.

Holt Watters Field Camp by Colorado Building Workshop at the University of Colorado, Denver and Bespoke Project Solutions, Antarctica

Holt Watters Field Camp, at Cape Shirreff, is an essential base for scientific study in the region. Here, the Antarctic Ecosystems Research Division of NOAA Fisheries has been studying the dynamics, behavior, diet and overall health of native seabirds and pinnipeds. But after 20 years, the facilities were deteriorating and in desperate need of an upgrade. Enter the Colorado Building Workshop at the University of Colorado, Denver, and Bespoke Project Solutions, who worked together to deliver a solution. 

The designs are defined by resilience and functionalism. Spanning 2,000 square feet (185 square meters), the main campus comprises three prefabricated buildings with no component larger than 1 by 4 by 16 feet. This meant they could be transported into place on zodiac dinghies, and no more than four people were needed to lift any single part. Thanks to these lightweight properties, the entire facility was assembled during a single austral summer —the two month period that is the only time of year when such work would be possible. The pre-fabrication strategies also sought to virtually eliminate all construction waste.

Holt Watters Field Camp by Colorado Building Workshop at the University of Colorado, Denver and Bespoke Project Solutions, Antarctica

Sections of the new Holt Watters Field Camp arrive by zodiac dinghy by Colorado Building Workshop at the University of Colorado, Denver and Bespoke Project Solutions, Antarctica

Completed early-2024, Holt Watters Field Camp now comprises two buildings standing side-by-side, their offset gable roofs collecting vital rainwater — the only fresh water source available for the scientists. A third structure runs behind that pair, acting as a wind fence to stop snow building up in the courtyard, while the roof is topped with a P.V. array, providing clean solar energy to power operations.

The complex is not only self-sufficient in terms of resources, it has also been created with minimal maintenance as a priority thanks to light-interfering color stainless steel cladding covering the roof and walls — 75% of this material is recycled content. Meanwhile, the interior uses water-resistant Meranti plywood, hiding thick insulation that provides a comfortable working environment. 

The blueprint succeeds because of its simplicity. Antarctica is an unforgiving place that doesn’t suffer fools gladly, nor overly complex designs. Anything being erected here needs to be finished efficiently, meaning without superlatives, with every aspect and element serving a tangible purpose that contributes to a greater mission.

The main campus at Holt Watters Field Camp takes form by Colorado Building Workshop at the University of Colorado, Denver, and Bespoke Project Solutions

This simplicity is born out of necessity, of course, but ironically it’s also an approach that could, should, and is increasingly informing the most sustainable architecture across the globe. Use only what you need is a long-forgotten mantra humans would do well to reintroduce into common parlance. 

A few degrees further south, and the British Antarctic Survey has also received significant investment in the past 12 months through the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme. The UK’s Rothera Research Station is in the process of an extensive upgrade, with a milestone reached just last month as a 32-year-old airstrip was fully resurfaced and brought back online.

The new Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station by Hugh Broughton Architects and British Antarctic Survey, Antarctica 

Rock from a previous project on the same peninsula was used for as much of the work as possible, significantly cutting overall impact by reducing the amount of virgin materials involved and transportation footprints. Draining has been improved around the base to boost resilience, and again solar technology is utilized to provide clean, self-sufficient power. A new Discovery Building, dedicated to science, benefits from high levels of internal insulation, offering a protected, warm workspace for teams.

This project is made even more remarkable due to the fact joiners, electricians and other tradespeople drafted for the improvements have ‘wintered’ with the on-site team, working on internal aspects during months when the skies never get light, and the weather is beyond challenging. It’s a huge order to ask of anyone, but the importance of these efforts cannot be understated.

Just as Aston discovered through the aptly-titled B.I.G. expedition, the extremities of our planet are bearing the brunt of human-driven climate change, and thanks to their deceptively vulnerable nature, will be the first places on the planet to change irrevocably because of our behavior. With this in mind, ensuring the uninterrupted, continued study of these regions, while they still exist as we currently know them, must be a scientific imperative. The architects throwing their weight behind such initiatives are also pioneering more sustainable design approaches that architects worldwide would benefit from heeding.

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 Building on the Edge: Can Antarctic Architecture Guide Global Sustainable Design? appeared first on Journal.