A student at Savannah College of Art and Design, Gabriel Velasco, has been awarded the Emerging Landscape Architect of the Year at the 2023 BLT Built Design Awards for his work on Octavarium. In this interview, we’ll delve into Gabriel’s journey, tracing it from his roots in Brazil to his current studies in the United States. We also discuss Octavarium, from its sustainable design principles to the emotions it seeks to invoke in those who experience it. Gabriel’s vision is one of reflection, where visitors are guided to contemplate the fleeting nature of life.
This conversation will take you on a journey through Gabriel’s creative mind, as he redefines both landscapes and the way we view life. Join us in this interview and catch a glimpse of the bright future ahead for this rising star in landscape architecture.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and studies? How did design come to have such an important role in your life?
I grew up in Brazil, with a family-driven childhood, learning how to be honest and dedicated. Moving to Savannah, in the U.S., I started my career at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where I conquered a B.F.A. in Architecture and where I am currently pursuing an M.Arch. As an artist/athlete, the blend of two dreams became a reality, and I represent both, from classrooms to championships. Design became a lifestyle when I noticed that it is much more than completing assignments or projects, is the search for answers in your personal life. I believe that designing in the architecture field incorporates empathy in different degrees, for people, for senses and for time.
What was the inspiration or philosophy behind Octavarium? How did you choose the name?
Octavarium is a project that blends the lines of the built environment. The woonerf proposal is a study of an urban strategy for the neighborhood, the garden as a conceptual landscape exploration, the entrance renovation as the architectural language of the project, and the spheres exhibition as the step toward interior installation. The project intention started after analyzing the urban fabric of the city of Savannah, studying the layout of the squares since 1733, when the city was founded. The main cemetery, located downtown, was the first square out of the proposed layout, with the objective of celebrating death. With that, the Jonny Mercer Theater is located between the same streets, being also out of the layout, giving the contrast of celebrating life.
Octavarium focuses on the influence of time on our life experiences, which is shown using spheres as the life cycle and swings as time itself. Can you tell us more about this vision and explain the details of how you incorporated it into your design?
Since the intention is to celebrate life, to contrast against the cemetery, I started to reflect about elements that drives human existence, asking myself questions about the purpose of living. Understanding that humans are aware of death, our journey ends where it begins, we are born at some moment in time, and we experience death at some moment in time. That process is something out of our control, we can only choose our paths during our existence, arching around a sphere, until we reach the starting point, and ending where we began. The swings element represents how humans are supposed to perceive time, where to get in and out the swing must be static in the present, than swinging back and forth between future and past.
How did you incorporate sustainable design principles into Octavarium?
The project adapts sustainable communities, green plazas, and human well-being. The woonerf proposal transforms McDonough St. into a gathering plaza, with commercial and residential developments. Octavarium also serves as a connection point between downtown Savannah and the plans for west expansion of the city. The use of Elbert Square also maximizes the use of the size, proposing a renovation of the square to its original size.
What do you hope visitors will feel or experience when they interact with your creation?
Octavarium was designed to be a moment of reflection, where people would interact with each part of the project, receiving guidance and awareness about decision-making towards being present somewhere in time. Life is short, a warm moment, death is a long cold rest, we get your chance to try in a twinkling of an eye. Families, friends, and individuals will experience in peculiar ways, some spheres are bigger than others, some spheres are buried, and some spheres are over water, each sphere represents different moments in life, dictated by time.
What were the major challenges faced during the design process and what did you learn from the whole project?
When the project was introduced to me, the main challenge was to combine urban design with architectural purposes, then stretching even more towards landscaping and interior installations. I also found myself reflecting on my moment in time, my priorities, and my reasons to live. The mental challenge of this project was to organize the story I wanted to portray with an architectural language that would adapt humans to the site’s program. With that, the main lesson that I took from Octavarium is about understanding why we do things that we do, and how can we make decisions that would interfere with our future. This project also gave me an opportunity to think rationally, considering life through facts and transforming them into emotions.
Congratulations on winning the Emerging Landscape Architect of the Year prize! How does it feel to be recognized for your hard work?
It is an honor to be part of the Built Design Awards! Receiving the Emerging Landscape Architect of the Year is amazing, it is always wonderful to see hard work paying off. I learned architecture through emotions, being taught to incorporate feelings and empathy into my projects, and Octavarium has its own personality. I also feel honored for the appreciation of my work related to what the project means, to understand what is the design’s purpose.
After the success of Octavarium, what are your plans for the future? Where would you like to see yourself in a decade?
Swinging in the future, I see myself exploring the world, spreading ideas to evolve into moments fulfilled with emotions. Time passes equally in the physical world, architectural concepts and stories are immune to aging, I believe I will be studying, reflecting, and experiencing the built environment during my period in time. As I grew in this field, architecture shaped who I am, my goal is to design the moment for someone else to find their place in time.
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.
Design is an ever-evolving field that constantly shapes people’s aesthetic perceptions and influences how they interact with the world. As the design landscape undergoes significant changes in the global context, innovation and subversion have become key drivers for the future of design. The 2023 APDC International Design Awards Gala, themed “变 颠覆 新启未来” (Innovation, Subversion, and New Enlightenment for the Future), held at Beijing’s Yi Garden&HBI Beijing Aesthetics Center, gathered prominent designers and explored the latest trends and ideas in the design industry.
The inaugural station of the International Design Awards Gala attracted a star-studded lineup of speakers, including some of the most celebrated designers from around the world. These pioneers in the field have redefined design paradigms and garnered accolades for their exceptional works, and among them were accomplished speakers who had previously been honored with the prestigious BLT Built Design Awards. Let’s take a closer look at these exceptional speakers who showcased their expertise and contributed to the grand success of the event.
Award-Winning Architect and Interior Designer Kris Lin, the founder and design director of KLID International Design, is renowned for his groundbreaking architectural and interior projects. Having previously won the BLT Built Design Award for both “Jenga Box,” a commercial building that creatively integrates architecture, interior, landscape, and lighting, and “Brich Forest,” a captivating restaurant designed to immerse guests in a serene forest-like ambiance, Kris Lin’s talent and vision have been recognized on the global stage.
Kris Lin
Visionary Designer and Director C.R. Lin, the Director of CROX International Co., Ltd, is known for his exceptional contributions to the design industry. Having previously won the BLT Built Design Award in the Commercial category for the Nabel Technology & Culture Experience Center, Lin has showcased his expertise in architectural design with projects that exude harmony and innovation.
Esteemed Jury Member Zhiming Xie, Chief Creative and Design Director of Damu Architectural Engineering Design, and Vice Chairman of the Interior Design Branch of the Chinese Architecture Society, attended the tour as a special guest and delivered a speech. He expressed the hope that more Chinese designers can step out to participate in international awards, and at the same time, more international designers can come to China for interactive sharing.
Zhiming Xie
Other speakers included Charles O. Job, the 2020 SIT Furniture Design Award winner, celebrated for his chair design SKETCH and Larry Wen, winner of the LIV Hospitality Design Awards. The 2023 APDC International Design Awards Gala in Beijing was an extraordinary event that celebrated the brilliance and creativity of designers worldwide. The presence of distinguished speakers, including BLT Built Design Award winners Kris Lin and C.R. Lin, as well as esteemed jury member Zhiming Xie, added a unique dimension to the event. Their contributions inspired the audience and exemplified the passion and dedication that drives the world of design forward. The global tour of award-winning designers at the International Design Awards Gala will continue, after the first station in Beijing, it will be staged in first-tier cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, forming a new “IP” with more extensive participation and professional depth.
The design community is buzzing with excitement as the highly esteemed BLT Built Design Awards Gala prepares to celebrate exceptional architectural achievements in the captivating city of Luzern. This prestigious event will take place at the iconic KKL Luzern, a stunning architectural masterpiece nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Luzern, on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Design professionals, thought leaders and visionary creatives from around the world are eagerly converging on Luzern, drawn by its reputation as a vibrant hub for architectural innovation and creative inspiration. With its seamless blend of historical charm and contemporary vision, Luzern provides the perfect backdrop for honoring groundbreaking design excellence.
The BLT Built Design Awards Gala will serve as a platform to recognize remarkable achievements, pioneering concepts, and unparalleled architectural talent. The event promises an evening filled with captivating moments as award-winning architects and designers take center stage, their outstanding projects showcased and celebrated in front of a distinguished audience.
The KKL Luzern, renowned for its architectural brilliance and designed by visionary architect Jean Nouvel, exemplifies Luzern’s commitment to architectural excellence. Nestled in the heart of Switzerland, along the picturesque banks of Lake Luzern, this iconic venue sets the perfect stage for an evening dedicated to celebrating architectural ingenuity.
Luzern’s design culture thrives on the principles of craftsmanship, innovation, and an unwavering appreciation for aesthetics. The city offers a nurturing environment that allows architects and designers to flourish, collaborate, and make significant contributions to the global architectural landscape. Furthermore, Luzern is home to avant-garde galleries, design studios, and firms that continuously challenge conventional norms and pioneer new design concepts. The city’s commitment to design excellence is reflected in its array of public spaces, urban planning initiatives, and sustainable architecture projects.
Lucerne, Switzerland
By hosting the BLT Built Design Awards Gala in Luzern, the event highlights the city’s integral role in shaping the design industry. The gathering of distinguished judges, influential figures, and visionary architects within the prestigious KKL Luzern further establishes Luzern’s status as a global design destination.
The Gala will provide a platform for recognition and exposure, with distinguished judges and influential figures from the design world in attendance. The event offers a unique opportunity for architects and designers to showcase their exceptional work, connect with industry leaders, and inspire the entire design community.
During the Awards ceremony, the following winners will receive a trophy:
2021 – Architectural Design of the Year: Benthem Crouwel Architects with Dutch Charity Lotteries office building
2021 – Interior Design of the Year: Foshan Topway Design with Naturalism Creates a Magic Wonderland
2021 – Project Management of the Year: Monograph with Resource by Monograph
2021 – Construction Product of the Year: Tubmarine/Kebony with Tubmarine and Kebony Wood
2021 – Emerging Architect of the Year: Mariam Abbadi with The Pathways to Unknown
2021 – Emerging Interior Designer of the Year: Lu Kuan-Ju with Innovative Chinese Paper Umbrella Store
2022 – Architectural Design of the Year: Zaha Hadid Architects with BEEAH Headquarters
2022 – Interior Design of the Year: KAMITOPEN with KAMA-ASA Shop
2022 – Project Management of the Year: Design With Frank with design with FRANK software
2022 – Construction Product of the Year: Yi Design with YiBrick
2022 – Emerging Architect of the Year: Xudong Zhu with Urban Irrigation
2022 – Emerging Interior Designer of the Year: Yue Che with Ally – A Center for Children Psychological Trauma Recovery
and 2023 winners, which will be revealed at the end of September 2023.
Prepare to be captivated, inspired, and connected with like-minded professionals who share a passion for pushing the boundaries of design and shaping the future of architecture.
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 has announced the release of the 2nd edition of their annual book of design – the BLT Built Design Awards Book of Design 2022. This year’s catalog features the 2022 winners in Architectural Design, Interior Design, Project Management, and Construction Product Design categories and includes interviews with the winners.
The catalog is a beautiful showcase of stunning photos, with each page featuring a unique and well-designed layout. It is a comprehensive resource that offers a glimpse into the latest trends and techniques shaping the design industry today.
You can purchase your print copy of the catalog on Amazon and access the digital version for free on the BLT Awards website. By purchasing the catalog, you’ll gain access to a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from some of the most talented professionals in the field, helping you stay ahead of the curve and take your own projects to the next level.
Whether you’re an industry insider or simply an admirer of great design, the BLT Built Design Awards Book of Design 2022 is a must-have addition to your collection. It’s a celebration of creativity and innovation in design, and we’re thrilled to share it with you.
Thank you for your continued support of the BLT Built Design Awards. We can’t wait to see what incredible designs will be celebrated in the future. In the meantime, be sure to order your copy of the BLT Built Design Awards Book of Design 2022 today!
The renowned 3C Awards Group has announced that submissions are now open for the third edition of the BLT Built Design Awards. The awards recognize the expertise of all professionals involved in the realization of outstanding projects on a global scale – from architectural firms and interior designers to Landscape studio and construction products.
The program is open to professional, emerging designers and students until September 2nd, 2023, the program promises to attract entries from some of the most forward-thinking firms from all around the world!
In 2022, the awards received over 650 submissions from 51 countries, the range and quality of projects were as astounding as always, with honorees including Zaha Hadid Architects, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Perkins & Will, Block Research Group (BRG), MVSA Architects, Laguarda.Low Architects, Foshan Topway Design, querkraft architects and Agence d’Architecture A. Bechu & Associés.
“The BLT Built Design Awards bring together the best and brightest in architecture and design, shining a spotlight on inspired projects, accomplished leaders and their innovative ideas,” said co-founder and Program Director, Astrid Hébert. “We are proud to support and promote these professionals, both established and emerging, as they push the boundaries of what is possible in the construction industry. Join us in 2023 as we continue to showcase excellence in design and architecture at the BLT Awards.”
The award winners are selected through a in-depth voting process conducted by a jury panel of renowned architects, academics, media representatives and industry experts. Their selections showcase international design excellence, avant-garde architectural concepts, new sustainability approaches and creativity in architecture, construction, interior and landscape design,
The 2022 jury, composed of 38 experienced architects, designers, developers, academics and media representatives will select the winners in each category in October 2023. Past jurors have included Steffen Lehmann, Founding Partner and CEO, si_architecture + urban design and Professor of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Nevada, USA, Alvaro Montoya, Regional Vice President & Studio Head – Lifestyle Brands Americas at Hyatt Corporation – Design Service and , Marie Crabié, Journalist at Tema.archi and Heath Gledhill, Architecture & Design Integration Practice Leader at Aurecon. The 2023 jury members will be announced later this year.
The BLT Built Design Awards are one of the most comprehensive annual awards dedicated to architecture and construction. In addition to the Architecture, Interior Design and Construction Product categories, a new category – Landscape Architecture – has been introduced, allowing any successful firm based anywhere in the world to submit a variety of outstanding conceptual, in-progress or completed projects for this prestigious award.
Register now to be a part of this exciting opportunity and take advantage of the early bird discount of 10% for registrations made before April 30th. Don’t miss out – visit bltawards.com for more information and to register before the final deadline of September 2nd, 2023.
We caught up with “Emerging Architect of the Year 2022” Xudong Zhu, lead designer of Urban Irrigation. While studying at Harvard, Xudong co-founded T.E.N. in Shanghai. As the lead architect, he has led the team to many well-known design awards at home and abroad in recent years. He told us more about his passion for architecture and innovating a typology for urban public space.
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born and grew up in Shanghai. After living there for 25 years, I studied abroad at Politecnico di Milano and worked at UNStudio in Amsterdam before and after I completed my studies at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, United States. I am currently an urban designer at Sasaki’s Boston office.
How did you discover your passion for architecture and decide to join Harvard University?
Influenced by the rapid development of Chinese cities in the 1990s, especially my hometown, Shanghai, I dreamed in my childhood of being an architect and fantasized about how great it would be if a conceptual building that I designed would become a reality, standing in front of me. After studying architecture at Tongji University in 2012, I started to realize that my dream could come true. It took me seven years to get my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture.
During my graduate period, I had a chance to study at POLIMI as a double-degree exchange student. For my thesis and out of interest, I spent two months visiting 47 local open residential projects and researching 32 shared urban public spaces. From this experience, I was in contact with the complexity and diversity of Milan’s urban public areas. The spatial decisions designed responded to topics such as social equality and environmental inclusivity. Those unexpected development modes, spatial strategies, management methods, and types of activities made me deeply interested in publicity. This experience prompted me to apply for Harvard University’s Master of Architecture in Urban Design, after seven years of architectural studies and work at Tongji University. I hope to understand public space better, and I hope my designs will reflect reasonable publicity and respond to diverse urban topics to a certain extent.
What was your design inspiration behind “URBAN IRRIGATION”?
Urban Irrigation is a representative project since I continue exploring my understanding of designing ecological sustainability with public space, with my girlfriend, Michele Chen, a landscape architect and urban designer studying at Harvard GSD. We see nature as a broadly shared space for the public that includes all beings – humans, and non-humans. In this project, designers are responsible for initiating a co-existing system between nature and urban dwellers. This belief establishes a design prerequisite to create a new typology of urban public space as a spatial product to intrigue a series of nuanced, collective, and experiential activities in, with, and through nature.
URBAN IRRIGATION
What do you see as the strengths of your winning project and what does this award mean to you personally?
Urban irrigation, in addition to innovating an urban public space typology, redefines the renewal life of urban industrial heritages. Moreover, the project empowers water as the core medium that drives the material process of the space with its public relationships between ecological services, educational engagements, and recreational activities. In technical terms, the project enables the old water tower to form a positive energy production and consumption cycle through rainwater collection, purification, storage, solar power generation, and other energy-saving measures. It transforms a typical street corner into an urban public plaza out of industrial relics, carrying the daily activities of the surrounding residents while preserving the city’s cultural memory.
Urban Irrigation demonstrates my ability to coordinate design across multiple disciplines, such as urbanism, architecture, landscape, and interactive design. This award means a lot. It encourages me to keep exploring the meanings of ecological sustainability in public spaces and pushes me to experiment with them through more practice and research.
How do you think your own culture and environment have shaped your personal and professional creative vision?
I have lived, studied, and worked in different countries, such as China, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States. I believe culture is not a fixed term. My diverse background gives me a more inclusive attitude toward the living environment. When dealing with design-related matters, it is more natural for me to discover, evaluate, think about, and implement in a more comprehensive and innovative way.
What are you working on now? When will you finish your studies?
I graduated from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in May 2022. After graduation, I became an urban designer at the SASAKI Boston office. SASAKI is an interdisciplinary team that cares about ecology, inclusivity, adaptivity, and definitions of the public realm. While I am learning professional knowledge from different scales of projects at SASAKI, in my spare time I am also doing competitions, research, and project commissions to explore my design manifesto further.
Last, what can we wish for you in the future?
I hope to refine and experiment with my design philosophy through more cross-scaled projects and do my best to create meaningful designs in the future. Finally, thank you for the award and interview. I wish BLT all the best!
The winner of the management product of the year by DesignWithFRANK in New York. We talked to the co-founders, Chloe Fan and Gabriel Munnich, who shared the process and inspiration behind the award-winning project.
Could you tell us a little about your professional journey?
Chloe is from a family construction business in China; growing up around the nuts and bolts of the building world. When I was 15, my city was blooming with construction. But those towers were ugly and removed the cultural and individual identities of the city and its people. I aspired to be an architect and wish to bring a well-designed landscape to the world.
Gabriel, from France, was also crafting, drawing, and tinkering at a young age; he quickly realized that he was most excited when making things.
We met while we were studying architecture at Cooper Union in NY. We immediately realized that we shared a passion for research and architectural technology. We invented and exhibited digital fabrication machines and machine learning research worldwide while we were still students and after. Gabriel developed his thesis around machine learning of architecture, and Chloe developed her thesis about 3D scanning space and urban design. We founded our first practice right after graduating in 2018 and founded FRANK together in 2021.
When did you found the company “Design With Frank”? Why start a new company? What did you envision back then for “Design With Frank”?
We founded FRANK in 2021 inspired by the vision of re-imagine architectural practice on a large consumer scale. We met countless people who shared the paper and pencil sketches of their dream homes and the desire to take control of the design and building process. Designers, contractors, and homeowners all need design software. However, design programs are hard to use and require tons of training. There is no easy way to create a design quickly!
When we created the first prototype of FRANK, we immediately saw it could be to give a new design tool for people. The architecture of the ordinary is important, and, as architects, it is a social duty to envision how to bring design into the large landscape. The development of tools transcends the human landscape.
We realized that most families in the US could not afford to hire architects or could not find the service they needed in architecture firms and decided to solve that issue by creating the most intuitive and fast design home design software for non-professionals.
We have worked with hundreds of individuals and families across the US and helped them design beautiful private homes, and we hope to continue making access to architecture easier.
What was the most important for you when developing this new software?
Most important for us is to be in close contact with our users constantly. We have been hands-on with people’s design to understand their needs and thought processes.
Can you please share with us what winning the “Project Management of the Year” prize means to you?
We are very pleased that our work is recognized by BLT design committees. It is important for us because the design field is advanced by great singular projects and new tools and technologies that enable its process. We focus on the latter and are delighted to be recognized for it.
Do you have any upcoming projects or new features to be released that you’re able to tell us about?
We are increasing the flexibility of our design tool so that people can use it to fully customize their space. Our goal is to make good design accessible to everyone through service and technology.
Lastly, what can we wish you for the future?
Design bridges people and material together. Please wish us to reach the goal of making Good design accessible for everyone, and making FRANK accessible for everyone. With our first prototype, we were able to support over 100 homes. The 2.0 will help thousands and millions in the future.
We talked to Zaha Hadid Architects Project Director for BEEAH Headquarters, Sara Sheikh Akbari. Powered by its solar array and equipped with next-generation technologies for operations at LEED Platinum standards, the new BEEAH Headquarters has been designed to achieve net-zero with future-ready technologies for minimal energy consumption. The project won the BLT 2022 Architectural Design of the Year award.
Could you tell us a little about your professional journey? Where are you from?
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Shahid Beheshti (Meli) University in Tehran. Shortly after graduating, I moved to London to study at the Architectural Association in London, where I received my Master’s in Architecture in 2007.
I then joined Zaha Hadid Architects, and since then I have led several design competitions and architectural projects from the early design stage through completion. I was a lead designer and one of the key members of the Heydar Aliyev Center project in Baku, and the project director of the BEEAH Headquarters project in the UAE.
What was the design brief for the “BEEAH Headquarters” project? What was most important for you when planning this project?
BEEAH headquarters embodies BEEAH Group’s twin pillars of ‘sustainability’ and ‘technology.’ BEEAH’s profile as an environmental management company and the brief to design a building to be an exemplar of sustainable design set high aspirations for the project from the outset. This influenced the geometry and formal composition of the building, its relationship to its context, the arrangement of the spaces, the MEP, the structural and lighting design, and every aspect of the project.
Echoing the surrounding landscape of dunes shaped by prevailing winds, the design responds to its environment as a series of interconnecting “dunes,” oriented and shaped to optimize local climatic conditions.
Ensuring all internal spaces are provided with ample daylight and views while limiting the amount of glazing exposed to the harsh desert sun, the design consists of two primary “dunes” housing the public and management departments together with the administrative zones that interconnect via a central courtyard that defines an oasis and gathering space within the building.
Demonstrating how technology can scale sustainable impact, BEEAH’s new headquarters serves as a blueprint for tomorrow’s smart, sustainable cities.
How would you describe your role in this project?
I was the project director of our BEEAH Headquarters project in the UAE, leading the team and managing the design and delivery of the project.
BEEAH Headquarters, Photo Credit: Hufton+Crow
BEEAH Headquarters has been designed to achieve net zero with future-ready technologies for minimal energy consumption. What were the biggest challenges you and your team faced?
While the ambitious outlook follows the aspirations of the region, at the time of our appointment there was a shortage of regional precedents for projects with similar objectives in terms of sustainability. This posed challenges in meeting the targets set for the project, such as uncertainty about the region’s resources, among other things.
What was put in place to reduce or optimize energy consumption?
➪ The building’s photovoltaic system generates power to meet the building’s peak summer demand, thus producing excess electricity during off-peak months, which is then fed back into the grid. Tesla batteries allow this system to power the building at night.
➪ Its external glass-fiber reinforced concrete cladding system, also locally produced, increases the building’s thermal mass and dissipates heat away from the interiors.
➪ The design minimizes the glazing exposure to the harsh desert sunlight while ensuring ample, high-quality daylight and views within the internal spaces.
➪ The building’s structure is comprised of locally sourced and recycled construction materials.
➪ An on-site water treatment facility filters wastewater to minimize consumption.
➪ Native or adaptive species of vegetation have been specified to minimize the need for irrigation.
➪ Using digital twin technology with self-learning and self-healing capabilities, the building’s smart management system predicts occupancy by automatically adjusting light and temperature to optimize energy efficiency.
➪ Powered by its solar array and equipped with next-generation smart technologies, the new headquarters has been designed to operate to LEED Platinum standards and net-zero energy. The new headquarters is a climate-conscious building that constantly modulates itself, becoming smarter and more efficient while drawing on data from its living laboratory.
BEEAH Headquarters, Photo Credit: Hufton+Crow
Can you please share with us what winning the “Architectural Design of the Year” prize means to you?
We are delighted that BEEAH has been selected as the Architectural Design of the Year by BLT Awards. BEEAH Headquarters has been a memorable project, filled with challenges and excitement, made possible by the passion of all those involved. It is rewarding to see all these efforts come to fruition and witness the end users’ experiences with and enjoyment of the building.
In general, what is your guiding design principle?
Our designs often explore logic and coherence within the environment. We focus on providing a unique response to the client’s brief with current and future site conditions, to achieve each project’s full potential.
BEEAH Headquarters, Photo Credit: Hufton+Crow
Last, what can we wish for you in the future?
We hope to continue developing opportunities where design meets sustainability at its core, and together with our team of collaborators, we hope to continue designing buildings we can all be proud of.