Shaping the Global Landscape: WA100 International Architect of the Year Shortlist
The prestigious Architect of the Year Awards, organized by BD, annually celebrate the best in architectural design and innovation. This year's shortlist for the WA100 International Architect of the Year category boasts a diverse range of firms from across the globe, each showcasing remarkable projects that push boundaries and redefine the architectural landscape.
Arquid: A Spanish Practice with a Global Reach
Founded in 2007, Arquid is a Spanish firm with offices in Madrid, Barcelona, London, Berlin, and Paris. Their international presence is evident in the diverse portfolio they presented for the award, which includes projects like the headquarters for Monex and a warehouse transformation into their own new studio, both in Madrid. Casa Umbral, a private house featuring a lattice façade of locally sourced ceramics, further highlights their commitment to sustainable and contextually relevant design.
Buckley Gray Yeoman: Expanding Horizons Across Europe
Buckley Gray Yeoman, a UK practice with a growing international presence, has recently completed projects in Spain, Italy, and Belgium. In Madrid, they are responsible for Skylight, a new build office building in the city's developing Sanchinarro district, and Ancora 40, a project that refurbishes and connects two existing buildings to create an office hub in the city center. Their international portfolio also includes interiors for a new Mercure hotel in Antwerp and a Fred Perry store in New York, demonstrating their versatility across different scales and project types.
Dewan Architects + Engineers: Bridging the East and West
Established in 1984 in Abu Dhabi, Dewan Architects + Engineers is a multi-disciplinary firm with eight offices across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. Their entry showcased a remarkable range of projects, including the Astana Grand Mosque in Kazakhstan and the Solforest residential development in Hanoi, Vietnam. In the Gulf region, they have recently completed the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Saudi Arabia and the Oceano residences on Al Marjan island in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, highlighting their ability to adapt to diverse cultural and environmental contexts.
HENN: Rethinking Typologies and Sustainable Construction
Founded in 1947, HENN is a German practice with offices in Germany and China. Their commitment to 'rethinking typologies and pushing forward sustainable construction' is evident in their projects, such as the concept design for CUBE in Dresden, described as the world's first building made of carbon concrete. They have also designed Westlake University, a research university under development in Hangzhou, China. Their entry also includes a headquarters for Continental in Hanover and interiors for The House of Communication in Munich, showcasing their expertise in a range of project types.
MORPH: A Spanish Practice with a Bold Vision
MORPH, a Spanish practice with more than 160 designers, architects, and engineers, has offices in Madrid, Málaga, Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Their entry highlights their commitment to innovative and bold design, with projects like Becrux, a residential building completed in Madrid's Retiro district with a distinctive parametric façade. They have also proposed the Sphere development in Cadiz and the Ceiba high-rise in Málaga. Their entry also features a design for a five-building court complex in Doha, Qatar, showcasing their ability to adapt to diverse urban contexts.
Plus 8 Consulting Limited: Shaping Urban Regeneration in China
Plus 8 Consulting Limited, a Hong Kong architect and urban designer, submitted two projects for the award. Hong Shou Fang, a 1.5-hectare mixed-use urban regeneration project in Shanghai, opened in 2023 and includes offices, retail, an indoor market, and a neighborhood plaza. This project exemplifies their approach to creating vibrant and integrated urban spaces. Zhengzhou Lake & City, completed in Henan, China, for the Vanke Group, is conceived as a place where people can live in harmony with nature, reflecting their commitment to sustainable urban development.
Purcell: Restoring Heritage and Shaping the Future
Purcell, a UK architect, masterplanner, and heritage practice, submitted projects in Australia and Hong Kong. In Sydney, they completed the restoration and upgrading of both legislative chambers at NSW Parliament, showcasing their expertise in preserving historic structures. In Hobart, they conserved key historic structures at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. In Hong Kong, they converted Jessville Manor, a colonial mansion previously threatened with demolition, into residential apartments, demonstrating their ability to repurpose historic buildings for contemporary use.
Sanjay Puri Architects: Integrating Sustainability and Traditional Craftsmanship
Sanjay Puri Architects, based in Mumbai, was established in 1992. Their entry features energy-efficient projects across different typologies, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable design. Rajasthan School, designed to operate without air conditioning even in the desert climate, showcases their innovative approach to passive design. The Aria Hotel in Maharastraj utilizes local black basalt stone, while Mirai House of Arches employs local adobe bricks, lime plaster, and sandstone, highlighting their commitment to using local materials and traditional craftsmanship. Ras Houses, a low-rise housing development in bright colors derived from the traditional Rajasthan color palette, further exemplifies their approach to creating buildings that are both sustainable and culturally sensitive.
The Future of Architecture: A Celebration of Innovation and Sustainability
The shortlist for the WA100 International Architect of the Year Award showcases a diverse range of firms pushing the boundaries of architectural design and innovation. From sustainable construction to urban regeneration, these firms are shaping the global landscape, demonstrating the transformative power of architecture to create more resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities for the future.
The Architect of the Year Awards will take place on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 at The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SA. This event promises to be a celebration of architectural excellence, showcasing the innovative work of these talented firms and their commitment to creating a better future.
[To book your place, visit the website here.](https://www.bdonline.co.uk/events/architect-of-the-year-awards/5133910.article)
