This season brought forward a new wave of visionary residential and commercial projects — each demonstrating how well-designed door and window systems can redefine the relationship between architecture and the surrounding environment. From cliffside hideaways to vineyard tasting rooms, the 2025 winners showcase how LaCantina’s systems enhance the livability of every space they frame.

Topping this year’s list is Split Cabin by Syndicate Smith, winner of the prestigious Best in Show award. Tucked in the woods of Lake Wenatchee, Washington, this modest yet masterfully composed retreat uses LaCantina sliding doors to create a fully immersive mountain basecamp — one that’s as refined in its details as it is connected to its surroundings. As part of their prize, Syndicate Smith will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2026 AIA Conference in San Diego and will be featured in a live Architizer panel later this year.

Scroll on to explore the full list of winners from the 2025 Best of LaCantina competition, each offering a compelling case study in how great design can open up entirely new ways of living.

Best in Show: Split Cabin by Syndicate Smith, Lake Wenatchee, Washington Contractor: Carlisle Classic Homes; Structural Engineer: BTL Engineering

Photo by Will Austin

Photo by Will Austin

Photo by Will Austin

Set deep in the woods of Lake Wenatchee, Split Cabin by Syndicate Smith is a minimalist weekend retreat designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Organized into two compact volumes — one for sleeping, one for living — and joined by a covered outdoor patio, the cabin encourages engagement with its surroundings while providing a quiet refuge year-round.

Central to the cabin’s design are LaCantina’s aluminum wood sliding doors, which open the interiors to panoramic forest views and flood the living spaces with natural light. “We chose LaCantina Doors because their slim profiles maximize panoramic views while maintaining the cabin’s minimalist aesthetic,” says the firm. “Their smooth-operating systems create seamless indoor-outdoor flow,” allowing the patio to function as an extension of the home.

LaCantina’s performance also supported the project’s high-altitude context. “They provide the energy efficiency needed for year-round comfort in a mountain climate,” notes the team, while durable hardware ensures low-maintenance use. The consistent design language across LaCantina’s products helped preserve the “clean, understated character” that defines this modest but immersive basecamp.

Most Innovative Project: Bicycle Haüs by Debartolo Architects, Scottsdale, Arizona

Photo by Bill Timmerman

Photo by Bill Timmerman

Set along a prominent Scottsdale corridor, Bicycle Haüs by debartolo architects is a 5,000-square-foot retail hub that merges sleek modernity with rustic heritage. Clad in weathering metal and reclaimed barn wood, the store reflects both the precision of cycling and the personal roots of its owners, creating a sustainable and daylight-filled space that welcomes the local riding community.

To support the shop’s hybrid function, a LaCantina aluminum folding door was integrated into the exterior walk-up window. “We chose LaCantina for its functionality and design,” notes the firm. A custom steel plate sill doubles as a countertop, enabling a clean, trackless detail that supports seamless indoor-outdoor interaction.

The door system enhances the building’s role as both retail space and social anchor. “This new building represents who we are,” says co-owner Kale Keltz, highlighting the blend of performance, identity, and architectural craft that defines the project.

Best Urban Residential Project: Amber by YAMA ARCHITECTURE, San Francisco, California
Collaborator: Ana Arcelus Arrillaga

Photo by Bruce Damonte

Photo by Bruce Damonte

In San Francisco’s Diamond Heights, Amber by YAMA Architecture transforms a classic 1961 U-1 Eichler home into a modern, light-filled residence while honoring its mid-century roots. The renovation updates materials and layout while maintaining original lines, with Azek® siding applied in a contemporary rainscreen detail and interior spaces opened up to enhance flow.

At the heart of the design is a LaCantina aluminum folding door system that connects the kitchen to the adjacent courtyard. “The LaCantina product created a perfect solution for indoor-outdoor seamless flow,” explains the firm, adding that the integrated “daily door” offers everyday convenience. They praised the system’s “smooth action, architectural sight lines,” and standout pleated accordion screen, which “doesn’t snap back like most retractable screens,” blending functionality with a clean, refined aesthetic.

Best Rural Residential Project: Casa Las Tortugas by IM-KM Architecture and Planning, Pedasi, Los Santos
Collaborators: Kristin Morales; Marybeth Burton

Photo by Fernando Alda / Ivan Morales

Photo by Fernando Alda / Ivan Morales

Set atop a forested cliffside overlooking the Panamanian Pacific, Casa Las Tortugas is a breezy coastal retreat shaped by climate and topography. Organized around a central courtyard and vaulted arcade, the home embraces open-air living, with shaded terraces, natural ventilation and elevated suites framing panoramic views across the ocean and mangroves.

To achieve this fluid indoor-outdoor connection, the architects integrated LaCantina folding, sliding and swinging doors throughout the home. Chosen by IM-KM for their minimal design profile and ease of use, these systems helped address the project’s core goals: “to blur the boundary between interior and exterior spaces, offer seamless airflow and provide panoramic views of the ocean around the house.”

Best Suburban Residential Project: Searidge by Laura Brophy Interiors, Laguna Niguel, California
Collaborators: Elevated Building Group; Spectrum Architecture

Photo by Hugo Landa Garcia

Photo by Hugo Landa Garcia

Perched along the Southern California coast, Searidge by Laura Brophy Interiors brings refined materiality and openness together in a modern home that blurs the line between architecture and nature. A material palette of wood, plaster and stone creates a calm, tactile backdrop, while expansive glazed openings draw the landscape into the heart of the home.

To support this vision, the team specified LaCantina’s V2 and Aluminum Thermally Controlled folding doors, which offer expansive glass panels and slim sightlines. “We chose LaCantina doors because they embody the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living,” says the firm, highlighting the system’s “exceptional functionality” and “clean, modern lines” as key to achieving light and livability in a coastal setting.

Best Commercial Project: Casino Mine Ranch Winery by Don Jacobs Architect, Plymouth, California

Photo by Paul Kozal

Photo by Paul Kozal

Set in California’s Shenandoah Valley, the Casino Mine Ranch Winery by Don Jacobs Architect creates a fluid connection between architecture and landscape. Anchored by a grand oak tree and a four-acre pond, the building uses earth-toned materials and expansive openings to frame views and echo the site’s natural beauty.

A 60-foot-long wall of LaCantina sliding glass doors, paired with clerestory windows, enables natural ventilation and blurs the line between indoors and out. “I wanted a door that could be easily opened and closed by staff but also one that gave maximum views,” explains the architect, who praised LaCantina’s functionality and reliable local service. The result is a welcoming, climate-responsive space that provides a tasting experience that is intimately connected to the surrounding terrain.

Best Renovation Project: Laurel Project by Bianca Ecklund Design, Manhattan Beach, California

Photo Lauren Taylor Photography

Photo Lauren Taylor Photography

Located in Manhattan Beach, California, the Laurel Project by Bianca Ecklund Design is a full-home remodel that reimagines the kitchen and living space for a more open, indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The design emphasizes clarity and continuity, with updated interiors that extend naturally into the backyard for both everyday use and entertaining.

To achieve this connection, the team incorporated a LaCantina pocket door system and a bifold window. “We chose LaCantina for its sleek design and flush sill options,” explains the firm. The doors allow the kitchen and living area to fully open to the exterior, creating a unified space with minimal visual interruption.

Best Compact Project: Ocean Cliff Oasis by CABANA CONCEPTS, Encinitas, California

Photo by Sydney Ellis

Photo by Sydney Ellis

Perched above the Pacific in Encinitas, Ocean Cliff Oasis by CABANA CONCEPTS is a full remodel designed to harness ocean breezes and frame vibrant sunsets. An open-concept layout pairs with panoramic glazing to create a light-filled, coastal sanctuary.

To enhance the home’s connection to its setting, the team installed multiple LaCantina V2 folding and swing doors, including wide openings in the kitchen, living room, and courtyard. The architects praised the system’s “seamless integration and minimal panel profiles,” noting it “makes it even easier to enjoy the gorgeous ocean and sunset views with the doors both closed or opened.”

Best Concept: Kennington Residence by [Design Group Name], California

Nestled into a hillside in Glendale, California, Kennington Residence is envisioned as a modern 3,000-square-foot home that blends contemporary design with its sloped, terraced site. Neutral-toned finishes and a striking vertical stairwell connect the multistory layout, culminating in a roof deck with sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley.

To frame these views and promote indoor-outdoor living, the design incorporates LaCantina contemporary clad sliding and folding doors, including a 12-foot-wide opening from the primary suite. The architecture firm noted that “having a BIM library helps clients visualize the final product,” making LaCantina’s systems instrumental in both the design and communication process.

The 2025 winning projects exemplify how LaCantina’s door and window systems can elevate architecture — enhancing not only aesthetics but also functionality, comfort and connection to place. Each design shows how thoughtful openings can invite nature inside and support a lifestyle rooted in light, air and movement.

To dive deeper into the systems and strategies behind these award-winning projects, visit LaCantinaDoors.com and explore more inspiring case studies.

The post Architecture That Opens Up: Presenting the 2025 Best of LaCantina Winners! appeared first on Journal.

Presented by LaCantina Doors in partnership with Architizer, this highly anticipated annual program celebrates the transformative power of architectural design that blurs the boundaries between inside and out. Whether you’re designing modern residential retreats, dynamic commercial hubs, or compact urban renovations, LaCantina’s innovative folding, sliding and swing door systems offer unmatched design potential.

If your project features LaCantina Doors and was completed between 2019 and today, this is your opportunity to gain industry-wide recognition and join a celebrated legacy of boundary-pushing design.

Participation is completely free, and entries are open through Midnight PT on September 12, 2025. Winners will be announced later this year! Get started by hitting the button below:

Submit a Project

Note: You’ll need an Architizer account to enter. If you don’t have one yet, click “Need an account?” on the submission page to sign up, then return to the form.

Prizes That Provide a Spotlight Like No Other

Last year’s winning projects. Learn more about each project here. Images courtesy of the architects / LaCantina

The competition’s top honor, “Best in Show,” comes with a Grand Prize Trip for Two to the 2026 AIA Conference on Architecture in San Diego, taking place June 10–13, 2026. The winner will receive travel, accommodations, and full event access to architecture’s biggest stage.

New for this year, the Best in Show Winner will also be invited to join a live online panel talk hosted by Architizer, where they’ll have the chance to present their project, share their process and inspire peers across the profession. If you are a LaCantina Doors specifier, this competition provides a powerful platform to shape the conversation around architectural innovation and the evolving potential of indoor-outdoor spaces.

Additional prizes for the “Best in Show” winner include:

• A Feature Editorial on Architizer.com

• Promotion across to 4.75M+ via Architizer’s global social media network

• Placement in Architizer’s weekly newsletter (124k+ subscribers)

• A featured project spotlight on LaCantinaDoors.com

• Invitation to be a juror for the 2026 Best of LaCantina competition

And more! See the full prize offering on the competition site. Winners across all categories will be also published in a special editorial feature announcing the winners on Architizer.com, shared widely via our newsletter and social platforms.

Also returning this year is the Reader’s Choice Award, a public vote powered by Architizer’s 1.6 million+ Instagram followers. Finalists for this award will be handpicked by Architizer’s editorial team and voted on by the global architecture community, providing a huge global platform for visibility and engagement.

Submit a Project

Note: You’ll need an Architizer account to enter. If you don’t have one yet, click “Need an account?” on the submission page to sign up, then return to the form.

Design Across Every Typology — Choose Your Category

Cortina 10 by KA Designworks, Mountain Village, Colorado, 2024 Best of LaCantina “Best in Show” winner. Collaborators: Aceto Landscape Architects. Photo by Dallas and Harris Photography

The Best of LaCantina competition is open to U.S.-based architects, designers, custom home builders, design-build firms, and interior designers. Projects may be located anywhere in the world and must feature one or more LaCantina products. Winners will be selected for each of the following categories:

• Best in Show

• Best Commercial

• Best Rural Residential

• Best Urban Residential

• Best Suburban Residential

• Best Compact

• Best Renovation

• Most Innovative

• Best Planned Concept

Built projects must have been completed between January 2019 and today, while the Planned Concept category welcomes unbuilt or in-progress designs.

Enter the Competition

Note: You’ll need an Architizer account to enter. If you don’t have one yet, click “Need an account?” on the submission page to sign up, then return to the form.

Meet the 2025 Jury

A selection of former winners of the Best of LaCantina Competition; images courtesy of the architects / LaCantina

This year’s competition will be evaluated by a dynamic panel of design leaders and industry tastemakers. Television host and builder Joshua Temple brings his real-world expertise in construction to the panel, offering a lens on projects across all typologies. He’s joined by Kelly Ladwig, a top real estate expert with Zeitlin Sotheby’s International Realty, who understands the market value of thoughtful design.

Representing the product and manufacturing side, Chase Clark, Product Line Manager at LaCantina Doors, brings an inside view on material performance and engineering precision. Rounding out the panel is Paul Keskeys, Publisher and Editor in Chief of Architizer, who brings a critical editorial perspective on how good design can shape space and the built environment at large.

From carefully crafted homes to large-scale commercial spaces, your project has the potential to inspire the architectural community and beyond. If you’ve brought a bold vision to life with LaCantina Doors, now is the time to share it with the world!

Start Entry

Note: You’ll need an Architizer account to enter. If you don’t have one yet, click “Need an account?” on the submission page to sign up, then return to the form.

The post Call For Entries: Enter Your Projects in the 2025 Best of LaCantina Competition! appeared first on Journal.

Calling all photographers and videographers: Architizer's Vision Awards has categories that celebrate the art of capturing architecture through the lens of still and moving images. The Early Entry deadline is April 17th. Submit today > 

In today’s digital-first design culture, visibility is power, and few know this better than the newest members of Architizer’s Vision Awards jury. This year, we’re proud to welcome a group of influential founders and content creators who are reimagining what it means to build community, shape discourse and elevate design through new media. With millions of followers and countless hours of educational content, they’ve turned platforms into launchpads, opening up architecture to a global, diverse, and increasingly digital audience.

Together, these jurors are expanding the impact of architectural ideas beyond the studio or the screen — and they’ll be instrumental in helping us identify this year’s most visionary creators across the Architizer Vision Awards‘ categories. Get your work in front of these talented and influential figures by submitting your best architectural visuals today:

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Hamid Hassanzadeh

Founder and CEO of Parametric Architecture

Hamid Hassanzadeh is an architect, entrepreneur, and researcher dedicated to advancing the intersection of technology and architecture. As the Founder & CEO of ParametricArchitecture (PA), he has built one of the most influential platforms in the field, connecting designers, architects, and enthusiasts worldwide through cutting-edge computational design, AI, and digital fabrication.

Today, PA reaches over 20 million people monthly, serving as a hub for design innovation and thought leadership. Beyond PA, he established PAACADEMY, an educational initiative offering specialized training for architects and designers eager to master computational tools. Through workshops, interviews, and conferences, Hamid helps professionals navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital architecture. As the host of PA Talks, he has interviewed some of the most renowned architects and designers, fostering discussions on innovation, design methodologies, and the future of architecture.

Follow Parametric Architecture on Instagram.

Amanda Ferber

Founder of Architecture Hunter

Recognized by Feedspot as the first among the top 125 architectural influencers worldwide, Amanda Ferber is the architect behind @architecture_hunter. She founded one of the very first architectural curation profiles on Instagram, which has consistently held the top position in its field on the platform. Today, boasting an audience of over 3 million people globally, Architecture Hunter has evolved into a content creation platform, specializing in videos.

In 2018, Ferber appeared on the cover of the Italian magazine Beesness, earning the title of “the influencer of architects.” In 2019, at just 24 years old, she earned a coveted spot on the prestigious Forbes Under 30 list. In 2024, Amanda gave a TEDx talk, where she shared insights on how she built Architecture Hunter into a global business.

During her academic journey, Amanda interned at studioMK27, led by the renowned Marcio Kogan, and later contributed to ArchDaily. Amanda also serves on the jury for several esteemed international architecture and design awards. Additionally, she acts as an ambassador for Arkos and Morpholio, a North American network of applications for architects.

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Bennett Oh

Content Creator and Founder of Archi Hacks

Bennett is the content creator at Archi Hacks and Arch Hive, two organizations dedicated to reinventing the early stages of architectural career paths. Through these platforms, he provides a means for architects and designers to showcase their work and discover new opportunities. Bennett’s past experience includes employment at offices such as BIG, OMA, and 3XN, where he was involved in numerous conceptual and built works around the globe.

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Calling all photographers and videographers: Architizer's Vision Awards has categories that celebrate the art of capturing architecture through the lens of still and moving images. The Early Entry deadline is April 17th. Submit today > 

Start Vision Award Entry

The post Content Is Culture: Vision Awards Jury Welcomes Architecture’s Digital Tastemakers appeared first on Journal.

Through decades of practice and pedagogy, these jurors have helped elevate drawing as a standalone architectural act. They will help select the most compelling visual entries in the 2025 Architizer Vision Awards — works that transcend convention and reveal the poetic, political and personal dimensions of design.

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Steven Holl

Founding Principal of Steven Holl Architects

Steven Holl was born in 1947 in Bremerton, Washington. He graduated from the University of Washington and pursued architecture studies in Rome in 1970. In 1976, he joined the Architectural Association in London and in 1977 established STEVEN HOLL ARCHITECTS. Considered one of America’s most influential architects, he is recognized for his ability to blend space and light with great contextual sensitivity and to utilize the unique qualities of each project to create a concept-driven design. He specializes in seamlessly integrating new projects into contexts with particular cultural and historic importance.

Steven Holl has realized projects both in the United States and internationally. He has received the 2016 VELUX Daylight Award in Architecture, the 2014 Praemium Imperiale International Arts Award for Architecture, the 2012 AIA Gold Medal, the 2010 RIBA Jencks Award, and the first ever Arts Award of the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards in 2009.

Steven Holl is a tenured Professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. He has also taught at the University of Washington, Pratt Institute, and the University of Pennsylvania.

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Daniel Libeskind

Founder and Principal Architect at Studio Libeskind

Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind is a globally recognized figure in architecture and urban design. Guided by a deep passion for music, philosophy, and literature, Libeskind creates architecture that is emotionally resonant, innovative, and sustainable. As Principal Design Architect of Studio Libeskind, he leads a multidisciplinary practice engaged in a wide range of projects worldwide. The studio’s portfolio includes museums, concert halls, convention centers, university campuses, hotels, shopping complexes, and residential towers.

Libeskind is also a prominent voice in the field, frequently speaking at universities and professional conferences on the art and impact of architecture. His work and ideas have been featured in numerous exhibitions and publications, shaping contemporary architectural discourse and influencing the evolution of cities and cultural spaces. He has received numerous accolades for his contributions, including the Goethe Medal, the Hiroshima Peace Prize, the Dresden Peace Prize, and the European Union Prize for Civil Rights.

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Sabina Blasiotti

Creative Director of Sabi Space

Sabina Blasiotti is a London-based architect with roots in Abruzzo, Italy, where she grew up. Sabina graduated from the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL and qualified with the Architectural Association AA in London. Before founding Sabi Space, she worked at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in London and Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA) in Tokyo, contributing to major projects such as CityLife’s Portico in Milan and the Hoshino Resort in Yufuin.

Her work at Sabi Space is a testament to her intuition, extensive research and passion for challenging norms to find new ways of living. Her most recent research delves into the role of radical imagination in design to shape innovations that unlock solutions to today’s challenges.

Sabina’s work spans education, architecture, furniture design and illustration. She has received awards from Architizer, the RIBA and Azure Magazine, among others. Her work has been exhibited at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, the Royal Academy, the RIBA and Sir John’s Museum in London and published in Architizer, Metropolis, Axis Magazine and the RIBA Journal.

Follow Sabina Blasiotti on Instagram.

Dan Hogman

Architect at SmithGroup

As an architect, artist, and educator, Dan has developed the capacity to blend digital and traditional media in developing architectural concepts and has exhibited with the SFMOMA, the AIA, and numerous private galleries. Apart from his multidisciplinary design practice, Dan serves as faculty at the AAU San Francisco, where he teaches design and drawing studios.

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Thomas Schaller

Artist at Schaller Architectural and Fine Arts

Thomas W. Schaller is an internationally acclaimed artist, architect, and author based in New York City. In 2024 he was named the recipient of the Arthur Ross Award in Fine Arts by the Institute of Classical Art and Architecture, the 2024 Raphael Award, winner of the Ogden Pleissner Award by both the American Watercolor Society and the Salmagundi Art Club, and First Place Award winner in Watercolour International. A two-time winner of the prestigious Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize, he also won the First Place Award in the Architizer One Drawing Competition. He is the author of three books, including the AIA Award-Winning Architecture in Watercolor. His latest, Architect of Light is published by Penguin Random House. His best-selling DVD, The Power of Design is published by Streamline Media. And his interactive online mentorship program “Design and the Power of Imagination” is hosted by Terracotta LLC. Tom is a signature member of many art groups around the world and is represented by Gallery 71 in New York City.

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Natasha Sandmeier

Assistant Adjunct Professor at UCLA

Natasha Sandmeier is an educator and leads the postgraduate Entertainment Studio at UCLA Architecture & Urban Design, and is Program Director of the MS.AUD. Her academic work and research straddles the worlds of architecture and visual storytelling. She was the Executive Director of the A+D Museum, Los Angeles from 2022-24. She is the author and editor of Little Worlds (London, 2014); a monograph of projects and essays re-examining the role of the architect within contemporary architectural culture. Natasha is an architect (NL registered) and founding partner of Office UR (OUR).

Bless Yee

Project Architect at DLR Group

Bless Yee was the Non-Student Grand Prize Winner of 2020’s One Drawing Challenge, and was one of the winners of Dezeen’s 2021 Redesign the World competition. She is an architect, artist, and educator based in Washington, D.C. Currently, Bless is an Project Architect in the Cultural & Performing Arts Sector at DLR Group and is an adjunct professor at Parsons the New School for Design. She has also worked at Snøhetta, Handel Architects, and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. In her personal work she is developing methods of layering hand drawing and physical models with digital tools to depict compelling narratives of social issues.

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Do you have an outstanding image that tells a compelling architectural story? The 2026 Vision Awards has a range of categories, from hyperrealistic or artistic renderings to expressive drawings or hybrid digital mediums. Start your entry > 

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The post Architects Who Draw: The Vision Awards Jury for 2025 appeared first on Journal.

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Spanning global studios, major practices, and award-winning independent platforms, this jury brings a rare mix of creative rigor, technical mastery and cultural insight to the table. Their influence is shaping the visual language of the built environment — and now, they’ll help select the next generation of visionary image-makers at the 2025 Architizer Vision Awards.

Alex Hogrefe

Creator of Visualizing Architecture and Co-Founder of Design Distill

Alex is the creator of visualizingarchitecture.com, a website that explores architectural graphics and representational techniques. He is also the co-founder of Design Distill, an Architectural 3D rendering studio located in Boston that specializes in highly diversified projects ranging from large city and university master planning images down to bespoke interior spaces. These days when he is not in his Boston office, Alex can be found up on the Maine coast developing his carpentry skills.

Keely Colcleugh

Founder and CEO at Kilograph 

Keely is the founder of Kilograph and Kilograph SL. She is a designer with more than 20 years experience in the fields of architectural design, visual effects, brand design and exhibition design. Keely is member of the executive committee at the A+D museum, past president of the ASAI and serves on the juries of Architizer and the Architecture Master Prize awards annually

Mengyi Fan

Director of Visualization at SHoP Architects

Mengyi is currently the Director of Visualization at SHoP Architects. She has worked in multiple roles of expertise in the architectural field with a focus on the New York metropolitan area, ranging from lighting design for major infrastructural projects to creating exhibitions that utilize social media as a design tool.

For the past 13 years at SHoP Architects, Mengyi has played a role in almost every project at the firm, using visualization and emerging technology as design tools to realize SHoP’s architectural vision. Notable projects include Barclays Center, 111 W57th Street and Brooklyn Tower in New York, Uber’s new headquarters in San Francisco, and Detroit Hudson’s downtown revival.

She is also a co-organizer of 3DNY, working together with architecture, visualization and VFX studios to promote diversity and facilitate conversations among different fields.

Filip Kurasz

Founding Partner | Art Director at ELEMENT and Co-Founder of World Visualization Festival (WVF)

Filip Kurasz is a dynamic creative, juggling roles as an artist, art director, and architect. Inspired by childhood passions and fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit, has co-guided ELEMENT Studio to the forefront of Archviz over the past decade and now became a proud co-founder of the World Visualization Festival – WVF. His knack for pushing boundaries earned him titles like Architectural Visualizer of the Year 2023 and nods from the Architizer A+Awards. When he’s not crafting masterpieces, Filip enjoys tackling obstacle races and finding joy in family adventures. Always striving for the next creative challenge, he brings a touch of lightheartedness to everything he does.

Jakub Figel

Founding Partner at ELEMENT and Co-Founder of World Visualization Festival (WVF)

Jakub Figel is a powerhouse connecting the worlds of art and architecture. His entrepreneurial drive leads him down unconventional paths, co-founding the World Visualization Festival (WVF) and spearheading ELEMENT Visualization Studio to become a recognizable figure in Archviz for over a decade. Jakub’s achievements include prestigious titles like Architectural Visualization Studio and Visualization of the Year 2023 and a Special Mention at the Architizer A+ Awards.

Carlotta Cominetti

Co-Founder of VirginLemon

Carlotta is the Co-founder and CEO of Virginlemon, a visual communication studio specialized in architecture, winner of the 1st Architizer One Rendering Challenge. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Politecnico di Milano in Italy. In 2013, she moved to Paris to begin her career and worked for several design firms as concept developer and 3D artist. Since then she collaborates daily with Architects, developers and artists worldwide to create expressive images and animations, and joined global CGI events as a speaker on the topic of narrative in architectural visualization.

Simone Lapenta

Design Director and Director of Visualization for RIOS 

Simone Lapenta is a Design Director and the Director of Visualization at RIOS, a global design collective based in Los Angeles. At the intersection of design and digital storytelling, Simone brings visions of unbuilt places to life, crafting striking narratives that seamlessly blend a refined digital aesthetic with evocative realism. Originally from Rome and with over 15 years of experience, Simone weaves cultural resonance and technical clarity into every image. His work reveals the essence of a space before it is built, inviting viewers to experience how it will look and feel and strengthening the aesthetic language and expressive power of architectural interventions.

Duy Phan

Senior Visualizer at ERA-co

Duy is an artist based in Melbourne, Australia. Born and raised from the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, Duy brings a unique perspective to his work, which focuses on capturing the essence of unbuilt architecture through portraiture.

Duy’s dedication to his craft is evident in his experimentation with different techniques and styles, as he strives to keep up with the industry’s top performers. Duy’s hard work has garnered him numerous prestigious industry awards and accolades. He is also passionate about sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise, serving on critique panels at the University of Melbourne and delivering insightful guest lectures at RMIT University.

During the week, Duy works as an illustrator at ERA-co, where he uses his expertise to bring new and exciting ideas to life. When he’s not hard at work, Duy enjoys exploring the beautiful parks and gardens of Victoria, as well as maintaining a healthy work-life balance to fuel his creativity.

Linna Choi

Founder/Partner at OUALALOU+CHOI 

Linna Choi is a co-founding Principal of OUALALOU + CHOI, an architecture and urban design practice with studios in Paris and Casablanca. Linna holds a Master in Architecture degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Yale University. She has served as a studio professor at the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, Rhode Island School of Design, Rice University, and the Università Iuav di Venezia School of Architecture.

Linna is the recipient of numerous design awards, including the Rice Design Alliance Spotlight Prize, In/Arch Award, WA Award, AR Emerging Architecture Award, and was named as one of the “100 Architects of the Year” by the Korean Institute of Architects. With her partner Tarik Oualalou, Linna has published a monograph of the office’s work entitled “Territories of Disobedience” which examines the office’s body of work in the past twenty years.

Architizer's Vision Awards spotlights radical architectural concepts and compelling visual storytelling — from renderings and drawings, to photos and videos. Take advantage of Early Entry discounts through April 17th by submitting today. 

The post Rendering the Future: Vision Awards Welcomes the Masters of Architectural Visualization appeared first on Journal.

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Their collective mission aligns perfectly with the Vision Awards’ focus on representation: to reveal architecture’s intangible qualities, inspire public imagination, and elevate the discipline’s dialogue. By judging entries across photography, film, and mixed-media categories, these jurors will champion work that demonstrates how a single image (or sequence) can shape our understanding, preservation, and design of the built environment.

Ema Peter

Founder of Ema Peter Photography

Based in Vancouver, Ema Peter Photography was founded in 2005 to bring Ema’s creative vision to architectural photography. Ema’s training in both the visual arts and photojournalism, with experience at the Magnum Photo Agency in Paris, created the foundations for her approach to lighting and composition.

With over 20+ years of experience and shear determination, she has photographed internationally renowned projects and received countless awards. Ema deeply believes that a space has life and she makes it her mission to harness that character in every photograph.

Darren Bradley

Architectural Photographer at DARREN BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Darren is an American architectural photographer with a passion for mid-century modern architecture and design. Born in 1972 in Honolulu, HI, Darren took his first pictures for a photography class while a freshman in high school. He was instantly hooked. He took his camera everywhere, turned his parents’ laundry into his darkroom, became the school newspaper photographer, and worked at a darkroom in college — but his obsession eventually faded, and when he moved to France to finish his schooling in 1995, he didn’t even bring a camera with him.

Upon returning to the US in 1998, he and his wife rented a mid-century modern house in Palm Springs, CA, and he was smitten. He began researching, exploring and appreciating modernist architecture more and more. This new awareness also rekindled his love of photography as he sought to document the buildings he was discovering. Things started taking off from there… Darren’s work has now appeared in large-format art books, academic and professional architecture journals, and lifestyle magazines around the world. He regularly accepts commissions from architects, builders, developers and homeowners.

Based in San Diego, CA, Darren is an avid and active supporter of historical preservation efforts, volunteering for organizations including the San Diego Architectural Foundation, La Jolla Historical Society, Docomomo, and Palm Springs Modernism Week. Darren speaks French with native fluency, and holds a degree in history from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Follow him on Instagram, @modarchitecture

Vivien Liu

Founder of StudioUNIT

Vivien received her Masters of Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, where she was awarded the prestigious Clifford Wong Prize in Housing Design. After 15 years in architecture, Vivien discovered a passion in photographing the urban density and built environment of Hong Kong and around the world.

She was accoladed due to her trained architectural eye that translates space into captivating visuals, gaining her a massive organic following on social media as well as the title of Best Female Photographer by #legend in 2017. In her early days, her work has consistently appeared on 10-Best features from popular publications such as ArchDaily, HK Tatler, TimeOut and South China Morning Post. Today, she is creating productions for leading architecture firms and developers on world-class, iconic buildings, including one by a Pritzker-winning architectural office.

Andres Ramirez

Founder of PLANESITE

Andrés F. Ramirez is a Colombian writer, curator, film-maker and cultural producer, working in the realm of architecture, urban planning and media. He is the co-founder and Managing Director of PLANE–SITE, an agency devoted to the production and dissemination of original content about the built environment. At PLANE–SITE , he leads a wide-range of projects –from exhibitions and publications, to design competitions and international conferences. Andrés is currently pursuing a PhD in Urban Planning at UCLA.

Brodie Kerst

Architectural Videographer at Brodie Kerst Productions

Brodie’s job has always been to capture and communicate the story behind architecture and design in a way that is visceral and emotional, so that everyone can begin to understand the importance of the built environment.

All Socials: @BrodieKerst

Krista Jahnke

Architectural Photographer at Krista Jahnke Photography

One of Canada’s leading architectural photographers, working with renowned architects and designers around the globe.

Paul Clemence

Founder of Archi-Photo and Photographer

An architect by training, today Paul Clemence is a visual artist focused on capturing the poetic, intangible side of Architecture. Clemence is known for his use of light and abstraction to create unforgettable, expressive images of iconic Architecture. He has documented iconic structures all over the world by the likes of Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, Bjarke Ingels, Lina Bo Bardi, Luis Barragán, Oscar Niemeyer, Ruy Ohtake, Herzog & de Meuron, SANAA, Peter Zumthor and many others. He exhibits regularly in the international fine arts circuit, from classic B & W prints to cutting edge large scale photographic urban installation, participating in events such as Fuori Salone in Milan, ArtBasel/DesignMiami, India Architecture Dialogue, and the Venice Architecture Biennale. A published author, Clemence’s volume Mies van der Rohe’s FARNSWORTH HOUSE is one of the most complete photo documentation of that landmark modern residential design, and a selection of that photo essay is part of the Mies van der Rohe Archives housed by MoMa, New York. He is widely published in arts, architecture and lifestyle magazines like Gagosian Quarterly, Metropolis, Wallpaper, ArchDaily, Architizer, The Design Edit, Dezeen, Designboom, Architects & Artisans, and Everett Potter’s Travel Report. ARCHI-PHOTO, aka “Architecture Photography”, his Facebook photo blog quickly became a photography and architecture community, with over 1.100,000 followers worldwide. Clemence is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

IG: @photobyclemence

Architizer's Vision Awards spotlights radical architectural concepts and compelling visual storytelling — from renderings and drawings, to photos and videos. Take advantage of Early Entry discounts through April 17th by submitting today. 

The post Framing Futures: Masters of the Architectural Lens Join the Vision Awards Jury appeared first on Journal.

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Among this year’s jurors are 12 standout firm leaders — principals, founders and design partners whose work has made a global impact. From boutique studios to internationally renowned firms, they bring deep insight and influence to the table as they help define this year’s most visionary architectural work.

Each of these jurors is a principal, founder, or design partner at the forefront of architectural practice and they’re here to select the boldest visual and conceptual work of the year.

Lyndon Neri

Co-Founder, Neri&Hu Design and Research Office

Lyndon Neri co-founded Neri&Hu Design and Research Office with Rossana Hu in 2006, an inter-disciplinary architectural design practice based in Shanghai. Through his practice, Neri has reinforced a core vision: to respond to a global worldview incorporating overlapping design disciplines for a critical paradigm in architecture, while believing strongly in research as a design tool, as each project bears its unique set of contextual issues.

Alongside his design practice, Neri has been deeply committed to architectural education, and has taught and lectured in numerous universities. He was recently appointed as Visiting Faculty at Princeton University School of Architecture, starting spring semester 2024. He was appointed the Howard Friedman Visiting Professor of Practice at the University of California, Berkeley in 2023, the Design Critic in 2023 and the John C. Portman Design Critic in Architecture in 2019 and 2021 at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Eero Saarinen Visiting Professor in 2022 and Norman R. Foster Visiting Professor Chair in 2018 at the Yale School of Architecture.

Neri is also Founding Partner of Design Republic in Shanghai since 2004, a design platform incorporating retail concept, design and cultural exhibitions, and education. In 2015, he was appointed as the Creative Director of Stellar Works, and has been a board member of Roll & Hill LLC. in Brooklyn since 2010. Neri received his Master of Architecture at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley.

Follow Lyndon Neri and Neri&Hu Design and Research Office on Instagram.

Sanjay Puri

Principal at Sanjay Puri Architects

Sanjay Puri is the principal architect of Sanjay Puri Architects, a firm that was established in 1992 and has won over 360 international awards. Sanjay graduated in 1988 from the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai and has been on the jury of a plethora of competitions. Sanjay has been a speaker at numerous architectural and design events in London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Singapore, Barcelona, Venice, Milan and more. With a current firm strength of 108 architects and designers, Sanjay Puri Architects have ongoing projects in 54 Indian cities currently. The current projects include master planning, architecture, interior design, event design and product design across various typologies.

Follow Sanjay Puri Architects on Instagram!

Winka Dubbeldam

Principal Partner at ARCHI-TECTONICS NYC

Winka Dubbeldam, March, MsAAD, is the founder and partner of the WBE certified New York firm Archi-Tectonics NYC, LLC with offices in the US, the Netherlands and China. Dubbeldam is widely known for her award-winning work, recognized as much for its design excellence as for its use of smart building systems, sustainable materials, and innovative structures. Archi-Tectonics has designed many mixed-use and residential buildings and commercial spaces, including aellness, art galleries and retail, including the Ports1961 flagship stores in London, Paris and Shanghai among others. Archi-Tectonics won the Asian Games Invited Design Competition in Hangzhou China, with a 116 acre Eco park, 5 buildings, and 2 hybrid stadiums, which opened in 2023, now after the games it is a cultural and recreation space for the city of Hangzhou. The project has since garnered numerous awards.

Dubbeldam was also the Chair [2013-23] and Miller Professor at the Weitzman School of Design’s Department of Architecture and Director of the Advanced Research and Innovation {ARI] Lab at the University of Pennsylvania where she has gathered an international network of innovative research and design professionals. She previously taught at the graduate architecture programs at Columbia, Cornell and Harvard Universities, and was named one of the Design Intelligence 30 Most Admired professionals in their Field 2015. Currently Dubbeldam is the External Examiner at the Architectural Association and Bartlett UCL London, and on the AIANY Committee, and on the jury for the ULI and PLAN Awards. This year she was named Advisor to Bogotá’s Mayor for the Bogotá Architecture Biennale 2025. She has spoken on innovation and sustainability internationally, including a TED talk, the recent UIA World Form for Architects in Copenhagen 2023, and at Cop 28 in 2023.

The work is published in numerous international architecture and design periodicals, as well as in the four monographs; Winka Dubbeldam, Architect (010 Publishers, Rotterdam, 1996), AT-INDEX (Princeton Press, NYC, 2006), Archi-Tectonics (DAAB publishers, 2010), and “Strange Objects” with Actar, Spain [2021], with a new monograph with Park Books coming out this Fall.

Follow Winka and Archi-Tectonics NYC on Instagram.

Suchi Reddy

Principal for ReddyMade

Suchi Reddy, FAIA, is an architect and designer exploring neuroaesthetics — the impact of design on perception and well-being. As founder of Reddymade, she integrates neuroscience and architecture to create environments that foster connection, rest, and empowerment. Guided by her philosophy, “form follows feeling,” her work spans public art, healthcare, and research on neurodiversity. Notable projects include A Space for Being, an installation with Google demonstrating consciousness. A professor at Columbia University and frequent lecturer on design and wellbeing, she champions design’s role in shaping empathetic, equitable, and enriching environments.

Follow Reddymade on Instagram.

Amaury Greig

Partner/Director of Operations, Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Amaury Greig earned degrees in Geography from the University of Victoria BC, and in Political Science from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences-Po) before completing his studies in Architecture at the University of British Columbia. After gaining professional experience in Canada and France, he joined the Workshop in 2012, where he played a key role on the Paris Courthouse project, from design phases to its completion in 2017.

In 2016, Amaury served as the Lead Architect for the New Toronto Courthouse competition, overseeing the project through to the final delivery. Over the years, he has led high-profile competitions and projects across Europe and North America.

In 2022, he was appointed Director of Operations taking on a firm-wide role overseeing the Workshop’s operations, communications, and business development. Amaury was named Partner in 2024.

Instagram: @rpbw_architects

David Godshall

Co-Founder and Principal at Terremoto 

David Godshall is a landscape architect, horticultural theorist and the co-founder and design director of the TERREMOTO office in Los Angeles, which he founded with Alain Peauroi in 2012. Over the past twelve years, TERREMOTO has grown quickly and established itself as a driving force in the world of landscape architecture. David’s strategic approach to design is inherently rooted in philosophy and the idea that ecology, horticulture and landscape have transformative physical and spiritual impacts upon humans and non-humans. Follow TERRMOTO on Instagram.

Olin McKenzie

Design Partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

As a designer, Olin McKenzie is influenced by his experience of cities — the spaces, patterns, and buildings that contribute to the novelty and wonder of urban living. His architectural sensibility is invested in restraint and clarity, and by the belief that layered work can be most powerfully achieved through an economy of design moves.

When he joined SOM in 2006, Olin initially worked in the education sector, with projects including the Raffles American School in Iskandar, Malaysia, and student activity and athletic facilities for Kuwait University. He went on to design dynamic and influential transportation projects, including Brightline, which encompasses three passenger rail stations in South Florida, and the Philadelphia 30th Street Station District Plan.

A human scale and distinct visual identity are throughlines in Olin’s work. From the curving glass façade which masks the structural columns at Pendry Manhattan West to the locally sourced timber screens that enable passive shading and air flow at the Raffles American School, Olin is known for finding unexpected formal and material solutions that enrich a building’s function and surroundings. Follow Skidmore, Owings & Merrill on Instagram.

Luca Bussolino

Partner, Head of Strategy & Innovation at Carlo Ratti Associati

Luca is a trained architect and licensed engineer. He completed his Master in Architecture in September 2018, obtaining a double master degree with honors at Politecnico di Torino and Politecnico di Milano. Luca joined CRA in December 2018. Since late 2019 he is part of the Strategy and Innovation team.

In 2022 he became Head of Strategy and Innovation for the firm, managing the team in charge of developing future projects and the long-term strategy of CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati. During his studies, he spent one year in Paris, at ENSA La Villette, and a semester at TU Delft, in The Netherlands. He holds a post-degree Diploma in Innovation Management from the highly selective Alta Scuola Politecnica which led him to deal with themes ranging from design thinking to industry 4.0. In June 2019, he completed his second humanitarian project in Cambodia, managing the process from needs evaluation to fundraising and building construction of a multi-family house in Sihanoukville. Follow CRA — Carlo Ratti Associati on Instagram.

Katherine Chia

Co-Founder of Desai Chia Architecture 

Katherine Chia FAIA is a founding principal of Desai Chia Architecture. Since 1996, she and her partner & husband, Arjun Desai, have established the firm’s reputation for authentic design, creating inspiring environments expressive of light, materials, and spaces that foster collaboration. Desai Chia’s projects have been published extensively and received many accolades including numerous AIA Design Awards and American Architecture Awards, numerous Interior Design Best of Year Awards, and an AIA Institute Honor Award. Architizer ranked Desai Chia as one of the top 100 US architecture firms, and Forbes ranked Desai Chia as one of the top 200 US residential architecture firms. In 2018, ARCHITECT Magazine ranked Desai Chia Architecture #19 in the nation for Design. The book “The Women Who Changed Architecture” by Princeton Architectural Press included Katherine and her work in the chapter titled “Raising the Roof.”

Katherine grew up in New York State and Belgium. She earned her Master of Architecture degree from M.I.T. and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College. Prior to founding Desai Chia Architecture, she worked for Maya Lin on numerous art and architecture commissions. She is a Trustee Emerita of Amherst College, a board member at the Center for Architecture, and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Follow Desai Chia Architecture on Instagram.

Arjun Desai

Co-Founder of Desai Chia Architecture 

Arjun Desai AIA is a founding principal of Desai Chia Architecture. Since 1996, he and his partner & wife, Katherine Chia, have established the firm’s reputation for authentic design, creating inspiring environments expressive of light, materials, and spaces that foster collaboration. Desai Chia’s projects have been published extensively and received many accolades including numerous AIA Design Awards and American Architecture Awards, numerous Interior Design Best of Year Awards, and an AIA Institute Honor Award. Architizer listed Desai Chia Architecture as one of the top 100 US Architecture firms, and Forbes listed the firm as one of the top 200 US residential architecture firms. In 2018, ARCHITECT Magazine ranked Desai Chia Architecture #19 in the nation for Design Excellence.

Arjun grew up in New Delhi and Mumbai, India. Prior to founding Desai Chia Architecture, he worked at SHCA/NY on numerous civic projects in New York and Washington, D.C. He earned his Master of Architecture degree from M.I.T. and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College. Follow Desai Chia Architecture on Instagram.

Sean Shen

Architect and Cofounder of ZJJZ Atelier China

Sean Shen, co-founded ZJJZ — a Shanghai based architecture design studio — with Xuanru Chen and Yu-ying Tsai in 2017. The studio focuses on design solutions for different spaces, while studying the creative uses of the space. Its areas of expertise encompass cultural and public projects such as art galleries, libraries, community centers and hotels. ZJJZ has also played an active role in the rural development of China. Follow ZJJZ atelier on Instagram.

James Biber

Founder/Principal of Biber Architects

James Biber, an architect and author, was a partner in the New York office of Pentagram for nearly 20 years before founding Biber Architects. His projects are wide ranging both in scale and type; from the Harley-Davidson Museum to the USA Pavilion at the 2015 Expo in Milan, from elaborate ocean front homes to a 100 sf cabin in upstate New York, and from architecture to essays to books.

While it often takes more time to publish a book that to build a building, Biber has been focusing on writing since the pandemic, and likely will into the future. After a lifetime of architectural work, only possible with the best (and numerous) collaborators, he derives enormous satisfaction from doing something entirely solo, that can be done virtually anywhere and with no schedule or client! Follow Biber Architects on Instagram.

Georg Windeck

Architect, Professor of Design & Construction of Rhein Main University of Applied Science

Georg Windeck is a German-American architect, practicing in New York and Berlin, with a focus on high end residential and institutional projects. He has been teaching at Cooper Union, SVA and IIT Chicago, and recently received a position as chair of Design and Construction at Rhein Main University in Wiesbaden, Germany. Follow Georg on Instagram.

Architizer's Vision Awards spotlights radical architectural concepts and compelling visual storytelling — from renderings and drawings, to photos and videos. Take advantage of Early Entry discounts through April 17th by submitting today. 

The post Big Names, Bigger Ideas: Meet the 13 Global Firm Leaders Judging the 2025 Vision Awards appeared first on Journal.

Architizer's Vision Awards spotlights radical architectural concepts and compelling visual storytelling — from renderings and drawings, to photos and videos. Take advantage of Early Entry discounts through April 17th by submitting today. 

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the creative industries, Architizer’s Vision Awards jury reflects the design world’s most forward-thinking voices. This year’s panel includes pioneering architects, educators, researchers, and visual storytellers at the forefront of generative design. From fostering ethical innovation in global practice to exploring the cultural implications of machine intelligence, each juror brings a unique perspective on how AI, computation, and creativity intersect.

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Collectively, they represent a paradigm shift in architecture — one in which designers are not just users of new technologies, but active participants in defining their purpose. Their influence spans continents and disciplines, proving that the tools of tomorrow can still be wielded with vision, intention, and humanity.

Niknaz Aftahi

Founder of aecplustech

Niknaz Aftahi is the CEO and founder of aec+tech, an all-in-one innovation platform and community that connects professionals in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AEC/O) with cutting-edge tools and technologies. Before launching aec+tech, Niknaz worked as both a design professional and a design technology director at architecture firms in the Bay Area, California.

Niknaz is passionate about advancing technology and innovation in the AEC space and is a frequent speaker at national and international AEC-tech events. She serves on the AIA San Francisco Design Technology Committee and is a member of the AIA’s first-ever AI Task Force, a national initiative exploring how artificial intelligence will shape the future of architecture and the built environment.

In addition to her work in tech, Niknaz is committed to educational equity. She has developed and taught online architecture courses for Baháʼí students in Iran, who continue to be denied access to higher education in their home country.

Ismail Seleit

Architectural Designer, Foster + Partners

Ismail Seleit is a design architect at the industry-leading Foster and Partners, specializing in design technology. With extensive experience in architecture and computational design, Ismail has contributed to diverse projects, ranging from design competitions to the realization of buildings on various scales.

Actively supporting design teams, Ismail leverages his expertise in BIM and Computational Design to navigate complex challenges. His primary focus is on enabling project teams to achieve efficient, informed, and collaborative design outcomes. Collaborating across departments, Ismail works to implement innovative methodologies to manage the design process from urban planning to product scale.

Simultaneously, Ismail engages in applied research, exploring new opportunities for implementing cutting-edge design workflows. His research specifically focuses into the integration of generative AI image-generating tools, with a keen interest in the combination of Stable Diffusion and ControlNet. This unique approach offers various techniques for generating controlled image compositions based on diverse user-defined inputs.

Beyond his architectural pursuits, Ismail is an ambient-electronic music producer, with a focus on film scores. He has composed and produced soundtracks for architectural short films and contributed to the music and sound design of various independent films. Ismail’s passion for creative thinking, coupled with his dedication to design problem-solving, continues to drive his multifaceted and innovative endeavors.

Hamza Shaikh

Creative AI Lead at Gensler

Hamza Shaikh is a creative AI leader at Gensler, pioneering a human-first approach to generative artificial intelligence in design. With a multidisciplinary background as a digital artist, architect and published author, he brings a proven track record of driving creative innovation at scale. His work focuses on integrating AI into the design process and storytelling, ensuring that emerging technologies enhance rather than replace human creativity and design.

June Chow

Principal Architect and Founder of JUN Architect

Licensed architect based in Malaysia and AI specialist with expertise in Generative AI for architecture, urban design, and conceptual visualization. Trainer and consultant for architectural firms and academic institutions on AI-driven design workflows. Speaker at local and global forums and workshops on AI in architecture. Active on LinkedIn as one of the top 100 AI Creators.

Andy Shaw

Architect and Managing Partner at AMA Design, Chair of RIBA Gulf Chapter

Andy Shaw RIBA is an architect based in Dubai. Andy is passionate about how combining innovative technology such as AI and sustainable design can improve the built environment for all citizens. He is the Managing Partner at AMA, a boutique design studio, designers of the landmark ‘Yacht Club’ in Dubai Harbour, the Nobu Hotel and Residences in Abu Dhabi, and over 2000 homes for the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority. He is currently working on large urban PIF projects in Riyadh, KSA and new hotel resorts and housing communities in the UAE.

He is the Chair of the RIBA Gulf Chapter, from 2019 till 2025, helping to grow the design community and create events including the regionally focused Sustainability Series, and led the team delivering the Sustainability – Past, Present and Future exhibition in London and Dubai during COP28.

He has been using AI technology to further the design process in the studio, and has his AI generated work featured in the RIBA Journal and Building Design Magazine. He has lectured about AI and city design at the Big 5, various tech conferences and run panels and workshops in Design Week, INDEX and Everything Architecture focused on AI and the future of construction industry.

He is active online and in practice promoting architecture for the benefit of all the community of designers and citizens. Follow Andy on Instagram.

Hassan Ragab

Media Artist / Interdisciplinary designer / Architect at HSNRGB

Hassan is an interdisciplinary designer, architect and conceptual artist exploring the intersection of art, technology, and humanity. His work delves into themes of identity, heritage, and the evolving role of creativity in a rapidly changing world. Combining generative AI with traditional design processes, he challenges conventional aesthetics while raising questions about the societal and cultural implications of technology. Driven by a desire to provoke thought and inspire dialogue, Hassan’s practice focuses on using innovation as a tool to reimagine how we perceive ourselves and the environments we create.

Social Media Handles (@hsnrgb) via Instagram, LinkedIn, X and Bluesky,

Marcelo Coehlo

Director of MIT Design Intelligence Lab

Marcelo Coelho is director of the MIT Design Intelligence Lab and faculty at the MIT Department of Architecture. Spanning a wide range of media, processes, and scales, his work explores how we embody and physically interact with computation, creating new forms of expression and collaboration between human and machine intelligence.

Marcelo’s work has been exhibited internationally, including places such as the Rio 2016 Paralympic Ceremonies, Times Square, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and Ars Electronica, and can be found in museums, private collections, and billions of products sold all over the world. Recognition for this work includes two Prix Ars Electronica awards, Design Miami/ Designer of the Future Award, Red Dot Design Award, and Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Award.

Marcelo holds a doctorate degree from the MIT Media Lab and is also a Design Tech Innovation Fellow at Cornell University. He teaches graduate and undergraduate studios in industrial design, human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence.

Architizer's Vision Awards spotlights radical architectural concepts and compelling visual storytelling — from renderings and drawings, to photos and videos. Take advantage of Early Entry discounts through April 17th by submitting today. 

The post Creative Code: 7 Multi-Hyphenates Guiding This Year’s Vision Awards Jury appeared first on Journal.

Set for publication later in 2025 and validated by Architizer’s international jury, including renowned architects such as Steven Holl, Winka Dubbeldam and Daniel Libeskind, this vital new platform will shine a light on those defining the visual culture of architecture — today and tomorrow.

To apply, simply enter the 2025 Vision Awards in one or more of the 50+ available categories. Every Winner in this year’s program is guaranteed a place in the Visionary 100, an exclusive editorial directory that will be updated each season and republished annually. Firms, individual professionals and students are eligible for inclusion.

The Vision Awards Main Entry Period is open for just 4 weeks, so don’t miss out: Start your Vision Awards submission to secure a place in the running for the Visionary 100 and a host of other prizes for your work!

Apply for the Visionary 100

Photograph by Kevin Scott, 2023 Vision Awards Special Mention, Architectural Photographer of the Year.

Why the Visionary 100 Matters

Featured on Architizer.com and shared with our audience of 4.75 million+ architects, clients and collaborators, this is your chance to be recognized for how you think and communicate about design, from the smallest details to the most ambitious concepts for buildings, cities and beyond.

Architecture is evolving at breakneck speed, and so too is the way it’s communicated. The Visionary 100 will serve as a critical reference point for editors, curators, clients, and design leaders seeking to understand and celebrate who is shaping the visual culture of architecture today—and who will shape it tomorrow.

This widely published feature will be more than a list: It will form a launchpad for architectural discourse and a benchmark for the next generation of creative leaders. Whether you’re an independent visualizer or part of an international design firm, inclusion in the Visionary 100 signals that your work is setting the pace for the profession.

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Select Winners and Finalists from Architizer One X Challenges and the inaugural Vision Awards. See the complete 2023 Vision Awards Winners’ Gallery here.

A Program Built for Creative Thinkers

Each winner of the 2025 Vision Awards, across every category, will automatically earn a place in the Visionary 100. The Vision Awards span three key category groups:

• Architectural Concept – Honoring bold, unbuilt proposals that reimagine the future of housing, cities, sustainability, and more, using up to six visuals to communicate each project.

• Architectural Vision – Celebrating single images and videos that capture the essence of architecture through renderings, photography, film, drawing, and physical models.

• Architectural Visionary – Recognizing firms and creators for outstanding portfolios of work across their chosen medium.

Explore the categories in full here. Each submission will be judged by a world-class jury of architects, designers, and visual communication experts, with a strong focus on concept, clarity, innovation, and visual impact. See the judging criteria here.

Share My Vision

Select Winners and Finalists from Architizer One X Challenges and the inaugural Vision Awards. See the complete 2023 Vision Awards Winners’ Gallery here.

Join a Global Festival of Ideas

Architecture’s future is being written not only in buildings, but in the bold images, ideas, and narratives that shape how we understand our environment. Architizer created the Vision Awards to celebrate this vital part of design culture — the powerful act of envisioning what architecture can be.

In addition to their inclusion in this key publication, select visionaries will be invited for exclusive editorial interviews, offering deeper insight into their creative process and the ideas driving their practice.

Sound good? We thought so! Submit your work to the 2025 Vision Awards today and earn your place in the Visionary 100 — an essential index of design excellence for the years to come.

Start My Entry

The post The Visionary 100: Take Your Place Among Architecture’s Top 100 Creative Leaders appeared first on Journal.

Hit the button below to begin voting for your favorites across every category:

VOTE NOW >

The Public Vote is officially open through May 16th, 2025 — and the power to shape this year’s Popular Choice Winners is in your hands. Whether you’re a professional, a student, or simply someone who appreciates a well-designed space, your voice matters. This is your chance to help spotlight the architects who are redefining what buildings can be.

Finalists in Best Local Firm (from top): Murray Legge Architecture; Aristides Dallas Architects; ZAV Architects; Ziger_Snead Architects; QINGMO Architects

Finalist in Best Global Firm (from left): Louise Braverman Architect; HDR; Olson Kundig; Oppenheim Architecture; MUDA-Architects

Finalists in Architecture +Localism (from top): Maona Village Center by SUP Atelier of THAD; Woven Passage to Cloudy Peaks by line+ studio; Shannan Beehive Observation Cabin by OMNO Lab; FW JI· The Rural Memory Museum by IARA; Duling Educational and Cultural Centre by Project Mingde 

Here’s how to vote:

• Log in to the A+Awards Voting Portal.
• Review the finalists in each category. You can click “View on Architizer” to see more information and imagery for any shortlisted project.
• Select your winners using the A+Awards Judging Criteria as a guide.
• Share the voting link with your community and encourage them to vote, too!

For over a decade, Architizer’s A+Awards have celebrated the world’s best architecture — not just the buildings that look great, but the ones that do great things, inspiring other designers to continue pushing the bounds of the profession. A+Awards winners set a bar for global design standards. Now in its 13th year, the world’s largest architectural awards program is back with a powerful theme: Rewarding local innovation with global recognition.

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Across the globe, architects are balancing universal challenges — from climate change to rapid urbanization — with the specifics of local conditions, cultures and communities. This year’s finalists reflect that mission in full, demonstrating how buildings can be at once globally relevant and deeply rooted in place. By voting, you’ll also get a sneak peak at the world’s top architectural projects, the finalists narrowed down by Architizer’s prestigious jury.

Finalists in Hall / Theater (from left): Kuwait University’s Convocation Hall by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Nanchang Grand Theatre by PES-Architects; New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office; Unique Henan · Land of Drama by Beijing Institute of Architectural Design; Teatro Borsoni by Botticini + Facchinelli ARW 

Finalists in Restaurants (L>1000 sq ft) (from top): Hanbury Hall by Howells; Big Red Crayfish by Dayi Design; The View by Rockwell Group; Aruma Split Garden by RAD+AR; Noodle In Transit by Office AIO. 

Finalists in Architecture +Brick (from left): 64 University Place__Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF); Du House, Pingchuan by TAOA; Tianjin Zhongshuge bookstore by X+LIVING; A House Looking to a Cedrus Tree by Cedrus Architecture Studio; Academia Atlas by Sordo Madaleno.

Unlike the closed-door panels of other major awards, the A+Awards embraces a democratic approach. Each Popular Choice winner is selected by you — the global public — offering a fresh perspective that’s grounded in real, everyday experience. You don’t need a design degree to know when something works — or, if you do have such credentials, your expertise matters just as much as the big names that sit on our jury.

VOTE NOW >

As you’ll see by perusing the finalists, this year’s cohort doesn’t play it safe. These are projects that could only emerge from the places they are from, offering exemplary solutions that may not be on the radar of architects’ elsewhere — whether through innovative materials and detailing, passive heating and cooling strategies, community-led construction or bold urban integration. They’re proof that the future of architecture is as hopeful as it is innovative.

Finalists in Sustainable Multi-Unit Residential Building (from top): Moos by concrete amsterdam; Meander Housing by Steven Holl Architects; The Park by KoningEizenberg Architecture; 6 HPP Ses Veles Puigpunyent by Fortuny – Alventosa Morell Arquitectes; Rose des Vents _ Student housing by ADHOC Architectes 

Finalists in Sustainable Cultural Building (from left): Weinan-Qiaoma Village Cultural Center by Xi ‘an University of Architecture and Technology Design and Research Institute; Duling Educational and Cultural Centre by Project Mingde; Zero-Carbon Origami Airplane — Shanghai Lin’gang Starry Sky Theme Park Visitor Service Center by China Architecture Design & Research Group; Tekαkαpimək Contact Station by Saunders Architecture; Wencheng Biology Expo Park by The Design Institute of Landscape & Architecture China Academy of Art.

Finalists in Transport Interiors (from top): T2 Kempegowda International Airport Interiors by Enter Projects Asia; SFO Harvey Milk Terminal 1 by Gensler, Kuth Ranieri, Woods Bagot; Portland International Airport by ZGF Architects; Du Quartier REM Station by Lemay + Bisson Fortin + Perkins&Will; Varna Bus Station by E-ARCH. 

In this democratic process, each vote holds weight. We ask you to approach the projects with fresh perspectives and discernment, disregarding names and locales. Consider: Does this project elevate our world? Does it ignite inspiration? Is it genuinely groundbreaking? If so, champion it and applaud the most extraordinary endeavors crafted by visionary architects worldwide.

Now is the time to bring global recognition to local innovation. A+Awards winners are paragons of design excellence, representing leaders who chart the course for the profession’s future, and we want to cast a spotlight on groundbreaking work in all corners of the globe. Our democratic voting process is designed to forge a new path toward a more sustainable and equitable built environment. Join us in reclaiming architecture’s narrative. Cast your vote and celebrate the awe-inspiring projects, alongside the dedicated individuals who brought them to life:

VOTE NOW >

Top image: Woven Passage to Cloudy Peaks by line+ studio

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