Explore the 2023 winning projects in Architectural Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Construction Product Design; along with captivating interviews, elegantly presented within our catalog. Each page is filled with stunning photos showcasing the winning designs.
You can purchase a print copy on Amazon and access freely the digital version on the BLT Awards website.
Dive into the forefront of design with our comprehensive catalog. It provides insights into the latest trends and techniques shaping the industry today. By getting your copy, you’ll access a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from top-notch professionals, helping you elevate your projects. Whether you’re a design pro or just love great aesthetics, our catalog has something to spark your creativity and keep you informed.
The BLT Built Design Awards proudly unveil the distinguished winners of the 2023 edition, honoring visionaries in the field of architecture and design, with a grand ceremony set to take place at KKL Luzern, Switzerland.
Zurich, Switzerland, October 4, 2023 – BLT Built Design Awards has announced the winners of the 2023 edition, acknowledging and honouring the expertise of professionals worldwide who contribute to the realization of outstanding projects. From visionary architecture firms and interior design experts to groundbreaking construction products and landscape architecture projects, this awards program encompasses the entire spectrum of design and construction, shaping the world’s urban environments.
The BLT Built Design Awards celebrate not only the structures and spaces that redefine our cities but also the dedicated individuals who propel the industry forward. This annual program is a tribute to the projects, people, and their unwavering passion for the industry. The submissions for the 3rd edition of the BLT Built Design Awards closed at the end of August 2023, leaving the jury panel composed of experienced architects, designers, developers, academics and media representatives to select winners in each category. The program received over 700 submissions from 45 countries. The judges evaluated each project based on their own merit; rewarding the most pioneering and ground-breaking designs and selecting those standing out, based on new concepts, innovations and sustainability initiatives.
The BLT Built Design Awards 2023 top winners include Haus Balma, Switzerland, by Kengo Kuma & Associates for Architectural Design of the Year, Flat #6 in Brazil by Studio Mk27 for Interior Design of the Year, Phase Shifts Park in France by Mosbach Paysagistes for Landscape Architecture of the Year, while RENCO from the United States secured Construction Product Design of the Year.
In the student categories, Emerging Architect of the Year was awarded to Ripple from Japan, built by Takatoku Nishi, a student at Tokyo University of the Arts, while the Interior Designer of the Year award went to Hsiang-Ting Huang, a student at the School of Visual Arts, for designing a sound healing center. Gabriel Velasco, from Savannah College of Art and Design, received Emerging Landscape Architect of the Year for Octavarium.
“At the BLT Built Design Awards, we take pride in uniting visionary projects and innovation from across the globe, celebrating exceptional excellence in architecture and design. We’re overjoyed and eagerly await the winners’ celebration at KKL Luzern to personally applaud these outstanding achievers. The event promises to be dynamic and inspiring, showcasing the awe-inspiring influence of design,” commented Astrid Hébert, Co-founder and Program Director of the Awards.
Other honorees from the 2023 BLT Built Design Awards included, NONSPACE, designed by On Architects Inc. in Korea, the impressive Chengdu MINI Showroom Complex in China, designed by ARCHIHOPE & SIAD, stood out in the Commercial category, Creative Cluster in Riyadh, an architectural marvel by IND (Ind Studio Architectural Design L.L.C) in the United Arab Emirates, was celebrated in the Cultural category, the Netherlands’ SuperHub Meerstad, skillfully crafted by De Zwarte Hond, made a mark in the Commercial category, the Original Granite Bracket, a company from the United States, garnered praise for its product, the Industrial Free Hanging Shelf Bracket® and TerraCool Urban Oasis, designed by Dilara Temel in the United Kingdom, earned accolades for its Sustainable and Energy Saving qualities.
The highlight of the BLT Built Design Awards will be an exclusive awards ceremony at KKL Luzern, Switzerland on November 18th, with D5 Magazine as a media partner. This stunning venue, designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, sets the stage for an unforgettable evening. With its modern design and breathtaking views of Lake Luzern, the KKL Luzern ceremony promises to be a night of elegance and celebration. The Gala will provide a platform for recognition and exposure, with distinguished judges and influential figures from the design world in attendance.
To explore all the winning projects, please visit bltawards.com. These exceptional projects and designs demonstrate the remarkable diversity and innovation within the BLT Built Design Awards community.
The header from the top left: Haus Balma by Kengo Kuma & Associates, Fuzhou Guancheng Daitong Plaza-Yacht Club by Wonderway Design. Photo Credit: Arch-Inbetween Studio, Zhao Yilong, Skyspace Amarta by Studio Mk27. Photo Credit: Fernando Guerra, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and George Roske, The Chiu by Nature Times Art Design Co., Ltd, Robert-Koch-High-School Berlin by SSP Rüthnick Architekten. Photo Credit: Klemens Renner, Dubio by Depot Roel Vandebeek. Photo Credit: Nelissen Steenfabrieken.
Prepare for a celebration of design excellence as top experts join forces to recognize the best in the industry. Architects, interior designers, construction product designers, and landscape design companies alike are invited to showcase their exceptional work and be part of the event.
Switzerland – BLT Built Design Awards is thrilled to announce the impressive lineup of industry experts who will serve on the jury panel for the highly anticipated 2023 edition. This esteemed group comprises renowned professionals from leading global firms, each bringing their unique expertise and perspectives to evaluate the exceptional entries received.
The esteemed jury members of the BLT Awards 2023 include Stanislas Helou, Founder of Thinking Luxury, recognized as a prominent figure in the luxury sector, Eason Zhu, Founder and Design Director of Fununit Design, committed to providing architectural, interior, installation, and brand design services for customers in different fields, Philippe Block, professor at the Institute of Technology in Architecture (ITA) at ETH Zurich, where he leads the Block Research Group (BRG) with Dr. Tom Van Mele and is Head of the Institute. With a decade of design experience in China, Hannah Churchill, Founder and Design Director of hcreates interior design, has crafted more than 100 spaces with an impressive collection of Restaurants and Bars. Sonsoles Vela Navarro, Founding-Partner of studioVRA, Associate Director of the Architectural Program, and Lecturer at Tulane University, is a practicing architect with almost 20 years of experience working alongside private clients and builders to develop architectural designs on residential, commercial, and healthcare projects.
Joining the jury are also Colleen Cocotos, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Architectural Technology and Interior Design, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Alvaro Montoya, Regional Vice President & Studio Head – Lifestyle Brands at Americas Design Services – Hyatt Corporation, Steffen Lehmann, Founding Partner and CEO of si_architecture + urban design, and Waad El Hadidy, President of The Medusan.
These industry giants, along with other prominent members, form the star-studded jury panel for the BLT Built Design Awards 2023. The complete list of esteemed jury members can be found on the BLT Awards website.
Architects, interior designers, construction product designers, and landscape design companies are encouraged to submit their entries before the final deadline on August 19th, 2023. This prestigious competition offers a unique platform to showcase innovative and inspiring designs that address contemporary urbanization challenges and inspire future generations. For more information about the BLT Built Design Awards and to view the complete list of jury members, please visit bltawards.com.
Image from top left: Stanislas Helou, Philippe Block, Waad El Hadidy, Eason Zhu, Tao Chen & Jade Lee, Sonsoles Vela Navarro, Steffen Lehmann, Alvaro Montoya, Hannah Churchill, Ruben Garcia Rubio, Colleen Cocotos, Thomas Vonier, Marie Crabié, Lynn Wang, Linchen Ding.
The BLT Built Design Awards judges were impressed by the high level of innovation and creativity of the winning entries that include names enjoying international reputation such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Agence d’Architecture A. Bechu & Associés, Sanjay Puri Architects, Stonehill Taylor, Perkins & Will, querkraft architects, Laguarda Low Architects, dwp – design worldwide partnership and more
Zurich, Switzerland – The renowned 3C Awards Group, has announced the winners of the second edition of the BLT Built Design Awards, which recognize the expertise of all professionals involved in the realization of outstanding projects on a global scale – from architectural firms and interior designers to construction products and project management.
The submissions for the 2nd edition of the BLT Awards closed at the beginning of October 2022, leaving the jury panel composed of 36 experienced architects, designers, developers, academics and media representatives to select winners in each category. The program received over 650 submissions from 51 countries, representing 54 categories. The judges evaluated each project based on their own merit; rewarding the most pioneering and ground-breaking designs and selecting those standing out, based on new concepts, innovations and sustainability initiatives.
The range of work was astounding, Zaha Hadid Architects was awarded the “Architectural Design of the Year” title for BEEAH Headquarters; based in Japan, KAMITOPEN won the “Interior Design of the Year” prize for KAMA-ASA Shop in Tokyo; Yi Design Company Limited received the “Construction Product Design of the Year” award for the innovative YiBrick made of recycled ceramic and Design With Frank by FRANK software was awarded ” Project Management of the Year”.
In the student categories, Xudong Zhu, a student at Harvard University received the prize of “Emerging Architect of the Year” for his design of Urban Irrigation; while Yue Che, a student of the Savannah College of Art and Design won the “Emerging Interior Designer of the Year” for Ally- A center for Children Psychological Trauma Recovery.
“At the BLT Built Design Awards, we strive to support and promote inspired projects and innovation by professional and emerging designers from around the world; assembling in one platform outstanding projects from Hong Kong to Canada, Germany and Australia.” said co-founder and Program Director, Astrid Hébert. “This program will continue to showcase Architecture and Design excellence in the construction industry.”
Other honorees from the 2022 BLT Built Design Awards included, Ateliers Jean Nouvel with The Wellness Center at 53 West 53 in New York city, Richärd | Kennedy Architects won with the Cruzen-Murray Academic Library, from France the Agence d’Architecture A. Bechu & Associés received multiple prizes, querkraft architects in Austria was awarded with their project called IKEA – the good neighbor in the city; CRAFT Arquitectos in Mexico won with their Architecture of the Torre Helix, Perkins & Will with the University of Washington, Life Sciences Building in Seattle, Dna Barcelona Architects received an award for the Tree Life, Tulum project and Casson Mann for the Pressoria – Centre d’interprétation sensorielle des vins de Champagne.
Winners will receive extensive publicity over the next year to present their achievements to a global audience. Their designs will be featured in the BLT Awards annual Catalog of Design, which will be distributed worldwide, and they will also receive the BLT Built Design Awards certificate and badge of Achievement, as well as a year-round profile in the BLT Awards Online Architectural Directory. To view the full list of the BLT Built Design Awards 2022 winners in architecture, interior design, building products and project management, click here.
Founding Partner and CEO at si_architecture + urban design, Steffen Lehmann has been working across the globe from Tokyo, and London to Las Vegas. Over the last 30 years, Steffen has been rethinking our “cities’ urbanism” to be more energy-efficient and sustainable, with an interdisciplinary, inclusive, and collaborative approach. We seat with Steffen to look at his career, design principles, and his influence on the new generation of architects being a Professor of Architecture and Urbanism.
Could you tell us a little about your professional journey?
My journey so far has been incredible. I grew up in Germany and was lucky to study at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London in the 1980s when it was an amazing place to be part of, and then I worked with some of the most interesting, visionary, and radical thinkers in architecture: Stirling, Isozaki, Hollein.
Architecture and urban design have become my passion, and for this, I have lived and worked in greatly distinct cities: Berlin, London, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Berkeley, Singapore and Australia. I am grateful that this passion has taken me many times around the world, and I have had the chance to collaborate and become friends with some of the most intelligent, funny and creative people imaginable. I was fortunate to establish my own practice in 1993 in Berlin and deliver over $1.5 billion in the construction budget, contributing to the urban transformation of important places. Today, I am interested in building the most sustainable projects and bringing the theory that I have developed over the last 30 years into practice.
Photo: Hermannswerder Housing, Berlin.
Why have you chosen to be an Architect and urbanist?
I have a long interest in cities as fragile ecological and human-made system of systems, and always like to commence an idea or project from the urban design scale, before moving to the building scale. Primarily, the city is about its shared public space network held by buildings, and the civic dimension of the urban setting, shaped by a group of buildings. For a decade, I was much involved in the creation of the ‘New Berlin’ and the urban regeneration of Newcastle (NSW). Shifting scales between urban and interior is part of the fun and way I design. We are not afraid to be bold and recognizable. I am convinced that good urban design can also make a profound positive contribution to solving the problems related to climate change.
What is your approach towards making our cities more energy-efficient and sustainable at si_architecture + urban design?
There are many tailored approaches that I like to bring together. For every project, we develop a unique set of strategies depending on the climate, location, context and culture. These strategies are frequently around activating the benefits of the food-water-energy-waste nexus. One strong continuum in our work is adaptive re-use and the belief that the city is better as a combination of the old fabric with contemporary infill, side by side. It reduces the embodied carbon and maintains the sense of place. Now, we are interested in up-scaling our strategies, to ensure maximum positive impact; and for this, we take research seriously. The particular working method that we developed over 30+ years is truly interdisciplinary, research-informed, inclusive and collaborative.
What are you working on at the moment, and do you have any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re able to tell us about?
My practice, si_architecture + urban design, is based in Dubai, Barcelona and Las Vegas, and our work is global. We are currently working on a range of amazingly different designs, on five continents, including a new apartment block in Downtown Las Vegas that will be built in mass timber construction method; a health and wellness hub on the Pacific coast in Costa Rica, Central America, that will create a sustainable lifestyle village on a hilltop above the forest; and a cool beach house in tropical Noosa, Australia, that is powered by the sun.
Photo: New project in Costa Rica, Central America
You are a Professor of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Nevada; what do you find the most fulfilling in all this role?
Over the last 20+ years as Chair and Full Professor of Architecture & Urbanism, I had the chance to significantly influence architectural education at universities in five countries, and contribute to shaping the next generation of architects and urban designers. In doing so, my role has sometimes changed from leading research institutes on sustainable design, to being executive director of schools of architecture.
As head of schools, I transformed the curriculum, research quality, and alumni engagement, and was always more interested in a realistic view of our profession, in pragmatism rather than populism. I want students to understand the fast-changing competitive context in which our profession operates today, to be critical agents of change, and inspire them to be passionate about this unique discipline. I am still much involved in meaningful research projects and was able to obtain over $15 million in research funding.
What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in your career/industry now?
These are challenging times, and consequently, we face a range of serious challenges, each offering also opportunities to engage, respond and influence the future. Just to mention a few challenges: our growing disconnect from nature; the loss of the public as client and custodian of public space; the commercialization of civic space; the increase of bureaucracy and red tape with abuse of power by public servants; the lack of affordable housing; the need to stop urban sprawl and, instead, carefully densify the existing city. Let us stop the misleading and unproductive fascination with the “biggest, tallest, longest” building; the answer is in climate-responsive architecture that serves people and respects the planet’s finite resources and ecosystem.
Photo: Suedkreuz, berlin
Where do you get motivation and inspiration for your work?
Mainly from discussions with my students and from listening carefully to their concerns and ideas. But also from the abstract fine arts, especially photography, music, and from travel to interesting places, learning about other cultures, and their food, and meeting new people with different viewpoints.
Last, what is the best advice you share with aspiring Architects?
It is our responsibility to explore and offer poetic design solutions that touch and elevate the soul, not just efficiency or problem-solving. To do so, we sometimes must take our ideas to a limit that transmits emotion. I would ask students to live up to the responsibility of what it means to be an architect or designer, and that they approach this with a great deal of ambition. This means to be at your best, keep being curious, and on a path of lifelong learning.
Photo: House Serra
The BLT Built Design Awards catalog showcases the best of 2021 Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Product and Project Management.
The brochure features exclusive interviews of Saartje van der Made, Partner at Benthem Crouwel Architects and winner of the “Architectural Design of the Year“; Robert Yuen, founder of Monograph a practice operations platform, winner of the “Project Management of the Year” and Zhike Wang & Xiaoshui Li who received the title of “Interior Design of the Year” for their exhibition design called “Naturalism Creates a Magic Wonderland”.
The catalog is available to purchase on Amazon and can be downloaded on the BLT Design Awards website.
BLT Built Design Awards is a global reference in the construction industry, representing the best of Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Product Design and Project Management.
Zurich, Switzerland – The 2022 BLT Built Design Awards is now accepting entries into its four major categories, from architectural design, interior design, construction products design and project management. It welcomes submissions from professional, emerging designers and students until the 9th of October 2022, the program promises to attract entries from some of the most forward-thinking firms from all around the world!
The BLT Built Design Awards honor the expertise of all professionals involved in the realization of outstanding projects. The prize encompasses all forms of buildings, projects, and infrastructures that cope with today’s urbanization challenges and inspire the next generations.
This annual program aims to celebrate Projects, People, and their passion for the industry, through our rigorous judging process, we recognize those that have gone above and beyond.
In 2021, the awards received over 450 submissions from 54 countries, the range of work was as astounding as always, with honorees including Benthem Crouwel Architects with The Dutch Charity Lotteries office in The Netherlands, Foshan Topway Design (China) with the exhibition “Naturalism creates a magic wonderland” inspired by “The Antelope Valley” a natural landmark in California, USA. The Silicon Valley tech company Monograph won the “Project Management of the Year” for Resource by Monograph.
Other honorees from the first edition of the BLT Awards included Stonehill Taylor (USA), Sanjay Puri Architects (India), Assembledge+ (USA), Zaha Hadid Architects (USA), Measured Architecture (Canada), Querkraft architects with the Austria Dubai Expo Pavilion.
All awarded projects, products and designs were celebrated online at the 2021 BLT Built Design Awards Winners Celebration. The announcement can still be viewed on the BLT Awards website: https://bit.ly/3HAdkEK
The 2022 jury, composed of 40 experienced architects, designers, developers, academics and media representatives will select the winners in each category end of October 2022. Past jurors have included Ole Gustavsen, Rector at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), Kamille Glenn, Founder of dsgnrswrkshp, Kourosh Salehi, Design Director at LWK + PARTNERS, Phill Mashabane, Principal and Owner Mashabane Rose and Associates. The 2022 jury members will be announced later this year.
The “Design of the Year” winners, will receive the coveted BLT Design Awards Trophy, their winning projects will be showcased to the global audience and be featured in the Annual BLT Awards catalog. Winning the BLT Built Design Awards is an opportunity to step into the global spotlight, elevate the company profile, and raise public awareness. Enter here!
Registration for the BLT Built Design Awards is now open and will close on October 9th, 2022. Those who register before April 30th, 2022; will receive an early bird discount of 10%.
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Die BLT Built Design Awards sind eine globale Referenz in der Bauindustrie und repräsentieren das Beste aus Architektur, Innenarchitektur, Bauproduktdesign und Projektmanagement.
Zürich, Schweiz – Die BLT Built Design Awards 2022 nehmen ab sofort Bewerbungen in den vier Hauptkategorien Architektur, Innenarchitektur, Bauprodukte und Projektmanagement entgegen. Bis zum 9. Oktober 2022 können professionelle, aufstrebende Designer und Studenten ihre Entwürfe einreichen. Das Programm verspricht, Beiträge von einigen der fortschrittlichsten Firmen aus der ganzen Welt anzuziehen!
Die BLT Built Design Awards würdigen die Expertise aller Fachleute, die an der Realisierung herausragender Projekte beteiligt sind. Der Preis umfasst alle Formen von Gebäuden, Projekten und Infrastrukturen, die den Herausforderungen der heutigen Urbanisierung gerecht werden und die nächsten Generationen inspirieren.
Dieses jährliche Programm zielt darauf ab, Projekte, Menschen und ihre Leidenschaft für die Branche zu würdigen. Durch unser strenges Bewertungsverfahren zeichnen wir diejenigen aus, die mehr als das Übliche getan haben.
Im Jahr 2021 wurden mehr als 450 Arbeiten aus 54 Ländern eingereicht. Die Bandbreite der Arbeiten war wie immer erstaunlich, darunter Benthem Crouwel Architects mit dem niederländischen Lotteriebüro The Dutch Charity Lotteries in den Niederlanden, Foshan Topway Design (China) mit der Ausstellung “Naturalism creates a magic wonderland”, inspiriert von “The Antelope Valley”, einem natürlichen Wahrzeichen in Kalifornien, USA. Das Silicon Valley Tech-Unternehmen Monograph hat den Preis “Projektmanagement des Jahres” für Resource by Monograph gewonnen.
Weitere Preisträger der ersten Ausgabe der BLT Awards waren Stonehill Taylor (USA), Sanjay Puri Architects (Indien), Assembledge+ (USA), Zaha Hadid Architects (USA), Measured Architecture (Kanada), Querkraft architects mit dem Austria Dubai Expo Pavilion.
Alle ausgezeichneten Projekte, Produkte und Entwürfe wurden online auf der BLT Built Design Awards Winners Celebration 2021 gefeiert. Die Ankündigung kann immer noch auf der Website der BLT Awards eingesehen werden: https://bit.ly/3HAdkEK
Die Jury 2022, bestehend aus 40 erfahrenen Architekten, Designern, Entwicklern, Akademikern und Medienvertretern, wird Ende Oktober 2022 die Gewinner in jeder Kategorie auswählen. Zu den früheren Juroren gehörten Ole Gustavsen, Rektor der Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), Kamille Glenn, Gründer von dsgnrswrkshp, Kourosh Salehi, Design Director bei LWK + PARTNERS, Phill Mashabane, Principal und Eigentümer von Mashabane Rose and Associates. Die Mitglieder der Jury 2022 werden im Laufe des Jahres bekannt gegeben.
Die Gewinner des “Design of the Year” erhalten die begehrte BLT Design Awards Trophäe, ihre ausgezeichneten Projekte werden dem weltweiten Publikum vorgestellt und im jährlichen BLT Awards Katalog veröffentlicht. Der Gewinn des BLT Built Design Awards ist eine Gelegenheit, ins weltweite Rampenlicht zu treten, das Profil des Unternehmens zu schärfen und die öffentliche Aufmerksamkeit zu erhöhen. Hier mitmachen!
Die Anmeldung für die BLT Built Design Awards ist jetzt geöffnet und endet am 9. Oktober 2022. Diejenigen, die sich vor dem 30. April 2022 anmelden, erhalten einen Frühbucherrabatt von 10%.
Für weitere Informationen über die BLT Built Design Awards besuchen Sie bitte http://www.bltawards.com.
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Les BLT Built Design Awards sont une référence mondiale dans le secteur de la construction, représentant le meilleur de l’architecture, du design d’intérieur, de la conception de produits de construction et de la gestion de projets.
Zurich, Suisse – La version 2022 des BLT Built Design Awards acceptent dès à présent les candidatures dans ses quatre catégories principales, à savoir le design architectural, le design d’intérieur, le design de produits de construction et la gestion de projet. Les candidatures des professionnels, des designers émergents et des étudiants sont les bienvenues jusqu’au 9 octobre 2022. Le programme promet d’attirer les candidatures de certaines des entreprises les plus avant-gardistes du monde entier !
Les BLT Built Design Awards honorent l’expertise de tous les professionnels impliqués dans la réalisation de projets exceptionnels. Le prix englobe toutes les formes de bâtiments, de projets et d’infrastructures qui répondent aux défis actuels de l’urbanisation et inspirent les prochaines générations. Ce programme annuel vise à célébrer les projets, les individus et leur passion pour ce secteur. Grâce à notre processus d’évaluation rigoureux, nous reconnaissons ceux qui se sont surpassés.
En 2021, les prix ont reçu plus de 450 candidatures provenant de 54 pays. L’éventail des travaux était stupéfiant, avec des lauréats comme Benthem Crouwel Architects pour le bureau de la Dutch Charity Lotteries aux Pays-Bas, Foshan Topway Design (Chine) pour l’exposition “Naturalism creates a magic wonderland” inspirée par “The Antelope Valley”, un site naturel en Californie, aux États-Unis. La société technologique de la Silicon Valley Monograph a remporté le prix de la “Gestion de projet de l’année” pour le projet “Resource by Monograph”.
Parmi les autres lauréats de la première édition des prix BLT Awards, citons Stonehill Taylor (États-Unis), Sanjay Puri Architects (Inde), Assembledge+ (États-Unis), Zaha Hadid Architects (États-Unis), Measured Architecture (Canada), Querkraft architects avec le pavillon Austria Dubai Expo.
Tous les projets, produits et designs récompensés ont été célébrés en ligne lors de la célébration des gagnants de la version 2021 des BLT Built Design Awards. L’annonce peut toujours être consultée sur le site des Prix BLT : https://bit.ly/3HAdkEK.
Le jury 2022, composé de 40 architectes, designers, développeurs, universitaires et représentants des médias expérimentés, sélectionnera les lauréats de chaque catégorie fin octobre 2022. Parmi les jurés précédents, citons Ole Gustavsen, recteur de l’école d’architecture et de design d’Oslo (AHO), Kamille Glenn, fondateur de dsgnrswrkshp, Kourosh Salehi, directeur de la conception chez LWK + PARTNERS, Phill Mashabane, directeur et propriétaire de Mashabane Rose and Associates. Les membres du jury de 2022 seront annoncés plus tard dans l’année.
Les lauréats du “Design of the Year” recevront le trophée convoité des BLT Design Awards, leurs projets gagnants seront présentés au public mondial et figureront dans le catalogue annuel des BLT Awards. Remporter les BLT Built Design Awards est l’occasion d’être sous les feux de la rampe, d’améliorer le profil de l’entreprise et de sensibiliser le public. Inscrivez-vous ici !
Les inscriptions pour les BLT Built Design Awards sont maintenant ouvertes et se termineront le 9 octobre 2022. Les personnes qui s’inscrivent avant le 30 avril 2022 bénéficieront d’une réduction de 10 % pour les inscriptions anticipées.
Pour plus d’informations sur les prix BLT Built Design Awards, veuillez consulter le site http://www.bltawards.com.
Founded in 2019 by three architectural designers, Monograph is a practice operations platform transforming the way AEC professionals oversee projects, timesheets, and forecasts in one, integrated and simple interface. Winner of the BLT Awards 2021 – Project Management of the Year, we seated with Robert Yuen while he shared with us the success story of Monograph.
Could you tell us a little about your professional journey?
“I studied architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago and eventually earned a dual master’s degree in Architecture and Digital Technologies at the University of Michigan. After graduation, I worked with some of the industry’s most renowned firms and designers including SOM, Holabird & Root, and Blu Homes. At this point, I had already begun building Section Cut, a digital collection of design references and resources for architects that was beginning to flourish into a new model of design education. When I contracted software designers Dixon & Moe to enhance Section Cut’s functionality, they invited me to join their firm, and I worked on designing software solutions for architecture, engineering, manufacturers, and construction clients. I joined the team to begin working on Monograph, a suite of resources and tools designed specifically for architects and became a partner of the firm in 2016. Eventually, this led to myself and two close peers turning Monograph into a unique platform of its own to address issues we saw within our industry.”
Together with Moe Amaya, Alex Dixon, you founded Monograph in 2019, why start a new company? What did you envision back then for Monograph?
“While working as an architect in Chicago, I would regularly meet with other friends in the architecture field for happy hour. We always talked about the same problems and the lack of tools for running an effective business. In 2019, after hearing people talk about the same issues, myself, Alex Dixon, and Moe Amaya—all architects by trade that could build software—created Monograph. We created a practice operations platform tailored to the architecture, design, and engineering industries.
Back then, we envisioned Monograph as an answer to a problem many architects face, mainly working extra hours to keep up with a multitude of deadlines. We became committed to finding an answer. Today, the cloud-based system is intuitively designed for AEC professionals to oversee projects, timesheets, and forecasts in one simple and integrated interface to inform decisions about their business and projects in real-time.”
Can you summarize what is “Resource by Monograph”?How would it support Architects and make their life much easier?
“Resource is a tool by Monograph that allows users to see their firm’s activity for the coming week on a single page. All of the projects they’re working on, projected hours that team members plan to work, hours they’ve already worked, and all of the money that has been consumed, budgeted, and is remaining. But Resource isn’t just a tool to look at—you can reallocate and adjust time for anyone on any project, ad-hoc. Firms can also add and remove people from projects, and are simultaneously able to see the impacts of that decision on current projections. It allows firms to focus less on meetings, saving both time and money and ultimately freeing up more time for designing.”
What was the most important for you when developing this new software?
“The most important factor for us when developing Resource was streamlining the weekly kick-off meeting that is standard at many firms. The ability to more accurately track and plan for the days ahead at the start of the week allows firms to maximize efficiency and spend more time bringing their ideas to life.”
In the company’s recent news, you have raised $20 million in its Series B funding round, bringing a new investor Tiger Global. Congratulations! Today, what are your priorities for Monograph?
“Thank you so much! We’re thrilled about the second round of funding and are excited for the coming year. Today, our priorities for Monograph include building on the strong foundation of the company culture that we’ve created over the last few years while keeping our ears to our customers. Remaining in constant dialogue with our users allows us to troubleshoot, ideate, and introduce features that better address problems at a much faster rate. We hope to continue providing our users with awesome solutions to assist them with their day-to-day operations.”
Do you have any upcoming projects or new features to be released that you’re able to tell us about?
“Monograph has a lot in the pipeline for 2022. One of the upcoming events we’re most excited for is Section Cut Two, our second annual virtual conference for firm owners, office operations, and project managers across architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and engineering. Scheduled for March 8-10, the conference is dedicated to the stories of leaders who are innovating in the realm of practice operations. We are beyond excited for the second annual Section Cut, and hope to see you there!”
Lastly, what can we wish you for the future?
“The future is bright for Monograph. We hope to continue building our team and introducing innovative tools to further assist firms with their practice operations. Monograph has grown from eight to 40 team members in the past year, and we recently hired Ernie Miller as our new Head of Engineering. Additionally, we recently closed $20-million Series B funding, which will further assist our acceleration as the premier practice operations platform for the architecture community.”
Meeting with Saartje van der Made, the project architect of the new “Dutch Charity Lotteries office building” and partner at Benthem Crouwel Architects. Saartje is sharing how involving the employees in the design of the interior has brought dynamism and made the building feels like a home.
Could you tell us a little about your professional journey? Where are you from?
My name is Saartje van der Made. After graduating cum laude in architecture at TU Delft, I immediately started working here at Benthem Crouwel architects. I became a partner/co-owner 5 years ago and I run the agency together with three other partners.
What was the project design brief for the “Dutch Charity Lotteries office building”? What was most important for you when planning this project?
The Charity Lotteries has grown to 600 employees in about 25 years. They were located at the Vondelpark in Amsterdam, spread over several stately mansions. They were ready to work in 1 new building, which fits today’s requirements, but very attached to their beautiful natural environment.
To help them make the big step to the business district Zuidas, we designed a building that has the same quality as real nature has: large, artificial foliage covers the entire plot and connects the existing renovated building with the new small volumes built on top. It lets in and filters daylight so that an ever-changing shadow pattern adorns the building.
By also involving the employees in the design of the interior, the building has been given a dynamic atrium and the office building feels like a home.
How would you describe your role in this project?
As a project architect, it was my mission to design a custom building for this organization and to guide them in the process. By occasionally taking a step back in the design process and giving room for their personal ideas, the building has become a result of both our visions.
What were the biggest challenges you and your team faced?
The promise to guide and involve all board members and employees in the design process and yet to design the most sustainable renovated building in the Netherlands.
Can you please share with us what winning the “Architectural Design of the Year” prize means to you?
It means that we have succeeded in our mission to satisfy the users and radiate that to others: a great recognition of our expertise!
In general, what is your guiding design principle?
My mission is to design buildings that generate a feeling of happiness. That sounds simple, but taking into account aspects such as regulations, financial budget, client’s wishes, government agencies, climate, and sustainability, it is always an immense challenge. The task for us as architects is to be able to place yourselves in the user’s experience and try to give the place a function and meaning.
Last, what can we wish you for in the future?
Much more creativity and surprising projects with inspiring clients who also push the boundaries of architecture.
Journalist specialized in architecture; Marie Crabié is working for the webzine tema.archi. Launched in 2017, Term.archi is an online magazine promoting Architecture and Urban landscape. Marie is sharing with us, her interest in architecture and the importance of involving professionals and design enthusiasts to build the city of the future.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? Where are you from?
I first studied political sciences in Lille, in the very north of France than in Toulouse ( south of France) before moving to Paris. I had the opportunities, through my studies to travel to Malaysia and to Montreal, Canada where I had my first working experience in a radio show where we would address social and cultural topics. I found myself really interested in culture, which I then intended to deepen through my studies in Paris. My master in cultural journalism allowed me to start covering architecture news, which I am now doing for 3 years.
What has drawn you to work in the media industry? Why did you choose to be specialized in Architecture?
I first chose to work in the media industry for one reason, and I really like to hear or share people’s personal stories. Culture became a matter of importance to me, as it is a domain in which time is not at stake — compared to political news for instance. A domain in which you have an opportunity to broader your views and open it to a large public. Architecture is one of those fields that people tend to be afraid of. Especially in France as it tends to be exclusive of professionals. My point with architecture is to open it to a large public, to allow people to think about architecture from their perspective depending on who they are and where they are from so that everyone makes their own opinion about our built environment. That is one way, to me, to build together an inclusive world.
You are a journalist for tema.archi, an online magazine promoting Architecture and Urban landscape. What is the main audience of the platform? What is the focus of the webzine?
The webzine focus is literally to open architecture to everyone, to specialists (architects, landscapers, students, etc.), and to people who are not necessarily working in that field but who have the desire to learn about architecture, urbanism, construction, etc. Topics that we are all concerned about or should all feel concerned about.
Where does tema.archi stand in regard to sustainable development?
At tema.archi, we think that sustainable development stands and works if people understand why we need to follow that direction. We try to explain sustainability by showing examples, looking at innovation, and providing proof that we can build differently, using new processes, and having another perspective on the industry.
Radio Campus show during the 5th Biennale of le Réseau des maisons de l’architecture, November 2021 © Claudia Mollard
What are you working on at the moment, and do you have any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re able to tell us about?
We are working on a new format, videos, podcasts, probably short shows that would again, allow people to access easy information, without technical considerations, or if so, this information needs to be explained.
Have you noticed any new trends in Architecture and Interior Design?
I would say that biobased and reused materials are now trending, we are only at the beginning of the sustainable revolution.
Last, what can we wish you for 2022?
That more people find an interest in architecture! Thinking more about architecture is the key to building it better!
