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Interior design reflects the values of modern life. Today, spaces are increasingly shaped by sustainability, wellness and new aesthetic approaches as designers draw from local contexts. From the choice of materials to the integration of biophilic elements, designers are crafting environments that reflect a deep connection to nature and a commitment to enhancing the well-being of their occupants. The convergence of technology and craftsmanship is where interior design is creating new experiences.

This year’s Architizer A+ Awards spotlight the best of these global trends, recognizing excellence in interior design that pushes boundaries and redefines how we live and work. Celebrating projects from across the world, the A+Awards honor both established and emerging talent in the industry. Looking at  Commercial and Transport Interiors categories, architects and designers have turned to natural and local materials to reduce environmental impact. Focus on wellness has brought new aesthetics, prioritizing calming, human-centered environments. Explore how the winning interior designs are as mindful as they are beautiful.

Bike Parking IJboulevard

By VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Jury Winner, Transport Interiors, 12th Annual A+Awards

The IJboulevard, designed by VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism in collaboration with Van Hattum en Blankevoort and DS Landscape architects, is a new underwater bike parking facility in the heart of Amsterdam. Located near Amsterdam Central Station, this innovative project accommodates over 4,000 bicycles and adds public space above ground. The roof of the facility forms a new boulevard along the river IJ, creating a vibrant walkway with seating and river views.

The interior features flowing lines, wooden walls, and subtle lighting to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Sustainable design elements like low-energy consumption, biodiversity-promoting features, and eco-friendly materials enhance the overall impact of the project, which improves both infrastructure and public space in the city.

Monasty

By Not a Number Architects, Thessaloniki, Greece

Jury Winner, Commercial Interiors (>25,000 sq ft.), 12th Annual A+Awards

Monasty’s interior design merges the Byzantine heritage of Thessaloniki with the luxury of the Autograph Collection by Marriott. Drawing inspiration from the city’s rich history and its surviving Christian Orthodox temples, the hotel offers a mystical atmosphere. Its 100 rooms and common spaces feature an austere materiality, subtle lighting and a monastic aesthetic that balances the high-end amenities of a 5-star hotel.

The design incorporates symmetry, with a bar at the center emulating the nave of Byzantine temples, accentuated by a grand wooden ceiling, brass-coated chandeliers and Byzantine-inspired stone flooring. Warm, tactile materials like weathered leather and brushed wood, along with site-specific Byzantine murals, create a rich sensory experience. The secret garden, with its greenery and water features, further enhances the peaceful retreat from the bustling city.

Publicis Groupe, Le Truc

By Architecture Plus Information (A+I), New York City, New York

Jury Winner, Commercial Interiors (<25,000 sq ft.), 12th Annual A+Awards

A+I partnered with Publicis Groupe to create a dynamic “Clubhouse” for their creative collective, Le Truc, in New York City. This innovative space, designed to fuel creativity, offers a variety of non-deterministic environments — bullpens, libraries, auditoriums, nooks and lounges — that cater to different creative processes.

Anchored by a café and work lounges, the space generates collective energy and celebrates individuality with diverse colors, lighting, and design elements. Le Truc serves as a proof of concept for the future of work, showing how an office can be a strategic tool for large-scale organizations post-pandemic.

OFFICE @ 63

By Sanjay Puri Architects, Navi Mumbai, India

Popular Choice Winner, Commercial Interiors (<25,000 sq ft.), 12th Annual A+Awards

This office for a furniture contract company, located within their factory, features a series of architectural volumes that give each space its own identity. A large reception area is highlighted by a 36-foot-high (11 meters) seating area with elliptical pods floating in a reflecting pool at one end and a landscaped courtyard at the other. A multifunctional space with movable modular platforms serves as a furniture display, seminar hall or social area, connected by a sweeping cantilevered stairway.

The office’s elliptical volumes create organic circulation, with a varied material palette of glass, wood, metallic paint, cork and concrete. Integrated lighting enhances features like perforated partitions, pyramid ceilings and aluminum installations, while large openings allow natural light and views of the factory. Each functional area, including workstations, conference rooms and discussion rooms, is uniquely designed and arranged across three levels.

U.S Bank Center

By SkB Architects, Seattle, Washington

Popular Choice Winner, Commercial Interiors (>25,000 sq ft.), 12th Annual A+Awards

The revitalization of the 44-story U.S. Bank Center transforms the iconic building into a vibrant workplace and welcoming public space. At its heart, Cedar Hall replaces the previously cramped atrium with an open, inviting expanse featuring 3.6 million green penny tiles that reflect sunlight. Operable doors, accessible seating, and dynamic indoor streetscapes foster connection, while the Tower Lobby guides visitors through curated art and adaptable settings.

The Spruce Room, a cozy haven overlooking Cedar Hall, offers lounge seating and workspaces. The redesign emphasizes accessibility, opening up street-level porosity and clarifying boundaries between public and private spaces. This revitalized hub blends work, relaxation, dining and shopping into a seamless experience for tenants and the community.

Changi Airport Terminal 2

By BOIFFILS Architectures, Singapore

Popular Choice Winner, Transport Interiors, 12th Annual A+Awards

The expansion and renovation of Terminal 2 at Singapore’s Changi Airport spans across three levels, with a design prioritizing the traveler experience through calming visual, auditory, and interactive elements. Inspired by nature, the terminal features indoor landscapes with minerals, water features, and lush vegetation to create a serene, multi-sensory environment.

The departure hall emphasizes transparency and smooth circulation to reduce travel anxiety, offering panoramic views and vegetated walls that blur the line between architecture and landscape. The project balances technology and nature, highlighted by immersive installations like Wonderfall and Dreamscape, which provide a tranquil escape for layover passengers.

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The post Inside Job: A+Award-Winners Reveal the New Priorities Shaping Modern Interiors appeared first on Journal.

Ema is a trained architect, writer and photographer who works as a Junior Architect at REX in NYC. Inspired by her global experiences, she shares captivating insights into the world’s most extraordinary cities and buildings and provides travel tips on her blog, The Travel Album.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of architecture, a new frontier is emerging: cyborg architecture. This innovative approach blends biological and technological elements, creating spaces that are not only adaptive and intelligent but also deeply integrated with the human experience. It’s a dialogue between the digital and physical worlds that blurs the boundaries between human and machine environments. Cyborg architecture envisions a future where buildings are dynamic, responsive and symbiotic with their occupants. As technology continues to advance, cyborg architecture will play a pivotal role in shaping the cities of tomorrow, offering solutions that enhance the human experience while promoting sustainability and resilience. Let’s explore how cyborg architecture weaves together technology, sustainability and human interaction to create innovative, future-forward environments.

Responsive Environments

Al Bahr Towers by AHR, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Cyborg architecture is an emerging field that intertwines with several forward-thinking design approaches, creating dynamic, responsive and future-ready built environments. Responsive environments are central to cyborg architecture, where buildings and spaces dynamically adapt to the real-time needs and actions of their inhabitants. At its heart lies the principle of responsiveness. These spaces utilize advanced sensors and actuators to monitor and adapt to the needs of their occupants in real-time. For instance, a building might adjust its lighting and temperature based on the number of people present and their activities, ensuring optimal comfort and energy efficiency.

This level of adaptability transforms spaces into living entities that can anticipate and respond to human behavior. Projects like the Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi, designed by Aedas, features a dynamic façade with an automated sunshade system that opens and closes in response to sunlight, reducing energy consumption and enhancing comfort. The use of such responsive façades that adjust according to environmental conditions, illustrates how cyborg architecture creates spaces that react to their surroundings and users.

Responsive environments also extend to the physical layout of spaces. Walls and furniture can be designed to move and reconfigure themselves according to the specific needs of the moment, creating a flexible and versatile environment. This adaptability is particularly valuable in urban settings where space is limited and multi-functionality is essential.

Biomimetic Design

Norfolk, Burleigh Heads by KOICHI TAKADA ARCHITECTS, Burleigh Heads, Australia

Biomimicry in architecture draws inspiration from nature’s processes and systems. Biomimetic design therefore draws inspiration from the natural world to create architectural solutions that are efficient, sustainable and resilient. In cyborg architecture, this involves using materials and structures that mimic the properties of living organisms.

The Norfolk Burleigh Heads project, designed by Koichi Takada Architects, is a strong example of this, with the building drawing inspiration from the local Norfolk pine trees, particularly their pinecones, which protect seeds from the elements while opening up in optimal conditions. The building’s design draws from natural principles, featuring overlapping balcony slabs that offer both protection from harsh weather and the option to embrace openness and natural light. Adjustable timber screens, inspired by the adaptability of pinecones, give residents the ability to control their environment—shielding from the elements or opening up to enjoy the subtropical climate and ocean views. These organic forms and materials integrate with the coastal landscape, creating a space that is both dynamic and in harmony with nature.

Another biomimetic approach involves designing buildings that can adapt to environmental conditions, similar to how organisms evolve to survive in their habitats. Facades that change color or texture in response to temperature and sunlight can regulate indoor climate and reduce energy consumption, creating a more sustainable built environment.

Human-Machine Interfaces

The Edge by PLP Architecture, Amsterdam, Netherlands

One of the most futuristic, but central aspects of cyborg architecture is the integration of human-machine interfaces (HMIs). These interfaces enable seamless interaction between occupants and their environments through intuitive controls such as voice commands, gestures, and even neural inputs. Imagine walking into a room that instantly recognizes your preferences for lighting, music and temperature, adjusting them to suit your mood and activities. This is evident in projects like The Edge in Amsterdam, which integrates advanced sensors, data analytics and personalized apps to enhance user experience within the building. Cyborg architecture leverages HMI technology to blur the line between user and structure, creating environments that are not only adaptive but also anticipatory of human needs.

Neural interfaces represent a groundbreaking advancement in HMIs, allowing for direct communication between the human brain and the building’s systems. This technology can transform accessibility, enabling individuals with disabilities to control their environments effortlessly. As neural interface technology continues to develop, the potential for creating truly personalized and immersive experiences within architectural spaces grows exponentially.

Living Architecture

Hy-Fi by The Living, New York City, New York

The concept of living architecture — where buildings behave like living organisms — takes this a step further. Projects like The Living’s Hy-Fi Tower in New York, made from organic, compostable materials, highlight how cyborg architecture can create living, breathing structures.  Such designs features bio-bricks made from mycelium (fungus), showing how buildings can grow and decompose like natural organisms and evolve in real-time. They can change based on environmental inputs, effectively merging biological and architectural processes.

The concept of living architecture, where buildings incorporate living organisms as part of their design can include elements such as green roofs and vertical gardens that enhance biodiversity and improve air quality. More advanced applications involve bioengineered materials that can grow and adapt over time, creating a dynamic and evolving architectural form.

Futuristic Applications

Futuristic architecture often envisions smart, technology-integrated environments that respond to modern urban challenges. The applications of cyborg architecture extend beyond individual buildings to encompass entire smart cities. In these urban environments, buildings and infrastructure communicate and collaborate to optimize resources, reduce waste and enhance the quality of life for residents. For example, traffic systems can adjust in real-time to minimize congestion, while public spaces adapt to accommodate events and changing social dynamics.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies further enrich the experience of cyborg architecture. By overlaying digital information onto physical spaces, AR can transform navigation, education and entertainment within buildings. Imagine walking through a museum where historical artifacts come to life through interactive displays, or navigating a complex building using AR-guided directions.

Biofeedback systems also represent another cutting-edge application, where buildings monitor the health and well-being of occupants through sensors that track vital signs. These systems can adjust environmental conditions to promote relaxation, focus, or recovery, creating environments that actively support human health.

Challenges and Considerations

While cyborg architecture offers exciting possibilities, it also presents significant challenges and considerations. Privacy and security are paramount concerns as buildings become more connected and data-driven. Ensuring that personal information remains secure and that occupants have control over their environments is essential to maintaining trust in these advanced systems.

Ethical considerations also arise regarding the extent to which environments should influence human behavior. The potential for technology to subtly shape interactions and experiences raises questions about autonomy and the balance between convenience and control. Sustainability is another critical factor, as the integration of advanced technologies must be balanced with energy efficiency and environmental impact. Cyborg architecture must strive to create buildings that are not only intelligent but also environmentally responsible.

Architizer is thrilled to announce the world’ best architecture firms in 2024, all winners of the 12th Annual A+Awards! Want to get your firm in the running next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to our A+Awards Newsletter. 

The post Hacking the Human Habitat: How Cyborg Architecture Blends Biology with Technology appeared first on Journal.

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The design of culinary spaces is an art that blends the sensory with the spatial. This year’s most inspiring restaurant designs push the boundaries of how these two worlds intersect, creating environments that are as much a part of the dining experience as the cuisine itself. Celebrated in the Architizer A+ Awards, the winning entries and special mentions span a range of scales and concepts, reflecting a global perspective with designs from vibrant urban eateries in New York to serene dining spaces in Japan.

The connection between architecture and culinary spaces is profound, as the design of a restaurant is as crucial to the dining experience as the food itself. Architects and designers craft environments that not only complement the culinary offerings but also elevate the senses, creating atmospheres that are integral to the storytelling of each dish. Whether through innovative use of materials, lighting or spatial configurations, these projects exemplify how architecture can transform a meal into a memorable experience. Each of the following restaurants offers insight into how design can shape and enhance the culinary landscape. Together, they represent the cutting edge of restaurant design today.

Stand Up Udon Noodel

By sawa architects, Jingumae, Shibuya City, Japan

Jury Winner, Restaurants (S <1000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+Awards

Located in Harajuku, Tokyo’s trendy district, this small udon noodle restaurant features a standing-only style. Despite many closures due to COVID-19, the restaurant preserved its distinctive red exterior, which locals cherish as a city icon. The design respects the unique culture of stand-up dining by creating a single arched counter that embodies three key atmospheres: an indescribable feeling, psychological distance from neighbors, and the heat from the kitchen.

The counter, plastered with rice hulls, serves multiple functions including lighting, seasoning and tissue storage. Existing wooden pillars are retained to highlight the traditional Japanese architectural scale, blending unique shapes with cultural elements.

Slabtitude

By Vaslab Architecture, Bangkok, Thailand

Popular Choice Winner, Restaurants (S <1000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+Awards

Slabtitude, a cafe created by Vaslab, emerged from the firm’s idea of revamping the storage space in front of their office into a place where staff could casually meet, work or relax over coffee. The cafe’s design features exposed concrete surfaces and a striking, 23-foot-long (7-meter) Balau wood table, crafted in collaboration with Thick and Thin Studio.

This cantilevered table, inspired by Italian coffee culture, serves as the cafe’s centerpiece, blending functionality with the natural beauty of the wood. The space also incorporates random arrangements of fiber cement panels, seamlessly integrating with the concrete surfaces, while the overall design reflects Vaslab’s aesthetic through curated music, art, and coffee selections.

Harudot By Nana Coffee Roasters

By IDIN Architects, Tambon Samet, Thailand

Jury + Popular Choice Winner, Restaurants (L >1000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+Awards

Harudot is a unique café in Chonburi, Thailand, resulting from a collaboration between Nana Coffee Roasters and a plant-loving landlord. The café, named “Haru” (Spring) and “Dot” (Starting Point), is designed to be a destination that blends new beginnings with growth, featuring a central baobab tree in an inner courtyard where the architecture opens to the sky. Inspired by Japanese culture’s simplicity, the exterior boasts three black gable forms contrasting with warm pine wood interiors.

The space is divided into functional zones, with curved, dynamic forms and semi-outdoor areas created by voids that let in natural light and rain. The interior integrates these voids with Barrisol stretch ceilings, creating a cohesive and warmly lit environment. Seating is designed as a continuous ribbon, and outdoor furniture incorporates coffee grounds, rice, and leaves. Details extend to custom fonts, terrazzo floors with circular patterns and embedded quotes, and playful flower petal designs, enhancing the cafe’s connection with nature and its thematic elements.

Mátria Parques das Flores – Restaurante Baffi

By Alencar Arquitetura, Brazil

Set in the picturesque landscape of Rio Grande do Sul, the Restaurant by the Lake is designed to offer visitors a memorable dining experience with stunning views. The challenge was to create architecture that enhances, rather than competes with, the natural beauty of the environment. The restaurant’s cave-like design, with its concave-convex structure, seamlessly blends into the gentle elevations and slopes of the terrain. In turn, it harmoniously integrates with the landscape to create a discreet and immersive experience.

Khao Niao Restaurant + Onda Cafe

By ASWA (Architectural Studio of Work – Aholic), Bangkok, Thailand

ASWA designed the new Khao Niao + Onda cafe in Bangkok’s Ari neighborhood, surrounded by residential buildings and other eateries. The one-story, L-shaped restaurant features a wavy precast concrete facade, crafted using a unique onsite mold created from corrugated roof tiles.

The building is divided into two main areas: the restaurant with the kitchen and the cafe with service areas, both centered around a semi-indoor courtyard that offers a peaceful retreat and can host small events. The façade’s wave-like design, inspired by the meaning of “Onda” (wave in Italian), includes half-circle openings that reveal the warm wooden interior and allow natural light to fill the space.

Tatiana

By Modellus Novus, New York City, New York

David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, completed in 2022, represents a rebirth of one of New York City’s most iconic institutions. Modellus Novus reimagined the concert hall’s hospitality spaces to honor the history and communities that once thrived in the area, particularly the Afro-Caribbean San Juan Hill neighborhood that was razed for Lincoln Center’s development.

The new design fosters inclusivity, creating welcoming environments both inside the building and in its public plazas. The flagship restaurant Tatiana, inspired by Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s upbringing in the South Bronx during the 1990s, reflects the cultural vibrancy of the city’s emerging hip hop and art scenes, celebrating the complex identity of New York while contributing to its future.

V8

By Illichmann Architecture and Matthaus Wagner, Vienna, Austria

The “V8” is a key component of the “Classic Depot” project in Vienna, designed to preserve valuable vintage vehicles. Located on the former Fritze-Lacke factory site, the facility features an underground parking level for 50 cars, a ground-floor workshop and storage areas with heated and ventilated spaces, UV-protective glass, and sun protection.

The top floor includes office space and a restaurant with a bar, terraces and a staggered lightweight construction, reflecting an industrial aesthetic. Special attention was given to lighting, using Nimbus pads that illuminate surfaces indirectly and enhance acoustics with textiles.

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The post Feast for the Eyes: 7 Refined Restaurants That Will Satiate Architectural Appetites appeared first on Journal.

The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

In a rapidly evolving world, office design is undergoing a transformative shift that reflects new approaches to creating spaces where people can thrive. The winners of this year’s A+ Awards have set a new benchmark for workplace environments, showcasing approaches that not only respond to contemporary needs but also anticipate the future of work. From flexible layouts that support hybrid working models to biophilic designs that foster well-being, these A+Award-winning projects highlight the creative solutions architects are employing to redefine the modern office.

One of the most significant trends in this year’s winners is the emphasis on flexibility and adaptability. As companies navigate the complexities of remote and in-person work, the demand for versatile spaces that can easily be reconfigured has never been higher. Architects are responding with innovative designs that include modular furniture, dynamic workstations, and multi-purpose areas, enabling businesses to adapt their spaces quickly and efficiently to changing needs.

Designers are also incorporating biophilic design principles; this year’s award-winning offices feature abundant natural light, gardens, and sustainable materials that create healthier, more inspiring work environments. The A+ winners demonstrate that the future of office design is not just about aesthetics or functionality but about creating spaces that support well-being and foster a sense of community.

Choice Headquarters

By Plan Associates, Chiang Mai, Thailand

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

Choice Headquarters is located in Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Mai, surrounded by cultural treasures like Long-kao (rice harvest houses), the Wall of Chiang Mai, and traditional Thai terraces. These elements are thoughtfully integrated into the modern architecture, which features a simple plan with a four-story reinforced concrete structure centered around a courtyard that brings natural sunlight into the building.

The entrance hall is elevated for natural ventilation, and a grand staircase transitions between the first-floor plaza and the open space on the second floor, serving as a multi-purpose area for office activities, relaxation, meetings, and seminars. The space is oriented to optimize wind flow and sun shading, with the core area on the west side and long-use spaces like offices and meeting rooms on the north, south, and east sides. The column-free design creates a flexible open area, and the main staircase encourages exercise. The workspace is a mix of informal and formal spaces, fostering creativity and adaptability.

Lumber 4

By Oslotre Arkitekter, Kristiansand, Norway

Jury Winner, Office – Mid Rise (5 – 15 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

“Lumber 4” is a six-floor commercial and office building with a recessed ground floor for commercial use and five upper floors dedicated to office spaces. The structure features mass timber construction, with glued laminated timber columns and beams, and floors made from a composite of CLT and concrete. This slim, efficient floor system spans long distances while meeting fire and acoustic requirements. The building includes diagonals on the ground floor for better vehicular access and utilizes the existing communication core from adjacent phases for lateral stability and access to office floors.

An atrium with a mass timber internal staircase is introduced between the third and fourth floors, showcasing prominent wood elements that provide warmth in winter and cooling in summer. The façade consists of prefabricated curved pine elements treated with green paint, with straight eaves creating curved shadows on the panels. Over time, the paint will weather, resulting in a dynamic façade with lighter and darker sections. The building uses wood fiber insulation and fire-treated pine cladding.

KNEM Offices

By b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos, Barcelona, Spain

Popular Choice Winner, Office – Mid Rise (5 – 15 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

The KNEM Offices are located on a plot that was once part of the former jute spinning mill of Hermanos Godó, known as “El Cànem.” The façade of the existing building facing Doctor Trueta Street, included in the Architectural Heritage Protection Plan, has been preserved. The program is distributed in three volumes: two blocks facing the streets and a central block that joins them through a large landscaped patio.

A continuous masonry plinth runs along the perimeter, unifying the three volumes into a single programmatic and formal body. Two glass boxes, screened with an aluminum lattice evoking the weaving of jute fibers, are supported and raised on this plinth. This design contrasts the industrial past with the contemporary elements of the new building. The blocks facing the street offer large, flexible office spaces thanks to strategically located vertical cores and a post-tensioned concrete structure. The central block comprises smaller duplex-type offices open to the central passageway, reminiscent of the old industrial workshops that once populated Poblenou.

Huamu Lot 10

By Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Shanghai, China

Jury Winner, Office – High Rise (16+ Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

To create a sustainable mixed-use urban environment that invites tenants and visitors to experience nature and art in an active setting, Huamu Lot 10 showcases a new form of participatory urbanism. The project features three office towers and a future museum situated around a central grand plaza, landscaped with lush greenery, water features, and meandering walkways. This plaza, activated by surrounding cultural programming, is designed to accommodate large-scale artwork.

Each of the three towers is efficiently planned and rationally massed to make a strong statement and adapt to future contexts. The glass curtain wall façades provide panoramic views and ample natural light, with strong horizontal elements emphasizing rigidity. Subtle cantilevers at uniform heights create a visually connected Sky Gallery, an iconic gesture above the neighborhood. At night, these cantilevered elements are illuminated to highlight Huamu Lot 10. Stepped gardens on roofs and terraces offer verdant outdoor gathering spaces with sweeping city views.

Uniview Headquarters

By GOA (Group of Architects), Zhejiang, China

Popular Choice Winner, Office – High Rise (16+ Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

Uniview Headquarters represents a modern, technology-driven corporate environment designed for efficiency, dynamism and functional integration. Nestled in Hangzhou’s high-tech industry zone, it extends to the southern tip of an urban landscape axis. A large sunken garden within the site connects to an urban park, serving as the district’s public green core. The headquarters’ west interface features a sweeping curve that embraces nature, while the south and east maintain a neat design, aligning with the surrounding cityscape.

The headquarters includes a 22-story administrative office tower, an eight-story R&D center, and a service and leisure hub at the base. A covered ground-level corridor facilitates smooth navigation and efficient access for staff and visitors. Designed to foster an open and vibrant atmosphere for over 5,000 employees, the R&D center offers a flat, expansive floor space on each level, connecting intimately with the functionality below. The basement serves as a leisure hub with a cafeteria, fitness center, library, café, and retail spaces.

Duntax Office

By 6717studio, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Jury Winner, Low Rise (1 – 4 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards

Duntax Office, located in the Tan Phu District of Ho Chi Minh City, sits at an intersection with an open view but uninspiring surroundings. The construction faces challenges from global warming and environmental pollution, and the investor desired rapid completion with structural durability and city-landscape integration. The initial idea for the building was to use lightweight structures integrated with green patches and environmentally-friendly features, creating a modern workplace with an inspiring and serene atmosphere, detached from the hurried urban life.

The structure features smooth curves instead of sharp corners, offering distinct designs from different perspectives, making it stand out. Irregular greenery enhances the building’s appeal and charm. The staircase is positioned at the west end to maximize space and block heat, while workplaces are placed at the front for better lighting and views. Inspired by traditional Vietnamese architecture, the terrace includes a garden, pond, and canopy, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.

The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

The post Office of the Future: 6 Ways Architects Worldwide Are Flipping the Workplace Model appeared first on Journal.

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

Tiles have always held a special place in design, but their role has evolved dramatically over time. In many cultures, tiles have been used for centuries to decorate sacred spaces, protect homes from harsh climates and tell stories through intricate patterns. From the mosaics of ancient Persia to the colorful azulejos of Portugal, tiles have been both functional and decorative, deeply rooted in vernacular architecture.

Today, tiles are making a bold return — not just in traditional settings but across different use cases like never before. Designers are now pushing the boundaries, using tiles to transform living spaces, commercial projects and even public areas. What was once a practical material is now a medium for artistic expression, capable of infusing spaces with color, texture and personality.

This shift reflects a growing movement in which tiles are no longer confined to kitchens and bathrooms. Instead, they are taking center stage in living rooms, lobbies and beyond, becoming key elements that define a space’s character. Whether used to create a sense of warmth, add a touch of luxury or make a bold visual statement, tiles are now a vital tool in the contemporary designer’s toolkit.

In this piece, we’ll explore how tile detailing is reshaping contemporary interiors through four award-winning projects that exemplify different approaches to this exciting development.

1. Creating Focal Points in Large Spaces

U.S Bank Center by SkB Architects, Seattle, Washington

In modern design, as open-plan layouts become more prevalent, there’s an increasing need for elements that can define and anchor smaller spaces within larger areas. Typically, designers might rely on furniture, lighting or even color to create these focal points, but more and more are using tiles to achieve this in innovative ways. Tiles are being utilized not just as surface coverings but as key elements that draw attention to specific architectural features, thereby creating visual interest and guiding movement through expansive spaces.

The U.S. Bank Center in Seattle showcases how tiles can be leveraged to create impactful focal points within large, open spaces. The building’s atrium, once a functional but uninspiring area, was transformed through the strategic use of dark green tiles. These tiles were carefully selected to frame and highlight significant architectural elements such as columns and archways. Their color and texture add a rich depth to the atrium, while simultaneously creating a visual language that naturally guides visitors through the space.

U.S Bank Center by SkB Architects, Seattle, Washington

Such an approach transforms the atrium from a mere passageway into a dynamic and engaging environment that leaves a lasting impression on those who pass through. By defining and highlighting key architectural features, the tiles create a cohesive visual rhythm that ties the large space together, guiding visitors intuitively and improving their overall experience.

But the design doesn’t stop there. Another unexpected twist comes with the use of penny tiles. These 3.6 million penny tiles, in varying shades of green, cover both the walls and ceiling, adding texture and continuity throughout the atrium. Reflecting sunlight, they brighten the space, making it feel open and inviting.

Strategically placed on the walls, the penny tiles draw the eye upward, emphasizing the atrium’s height and creating a connection between design elements. On the ceiling, they add a tactile quality that encourages visitors to look up and engage with the space.

2. Adding a Modern Touch to Historic Spaces

The Taproom in the Tenczynek Brewery by Projekt Praga, Poland

With the increasing popularity of adaptive reuse and renovation projects, designers are often tasked with integrating modern elements into historic spaces — a challenge that requires balancing respect for the original character with the introduction of contemporary flair. Traditional approaches might include carefully selected furnishings or subtle lighting adjustments. Recently, however, another trend has taken center stage. The versatile solution in question? You guessed it — tiles!

The Taproom at Tenczynek Brewery in Poland is a compelling example of how tiles can bridge the gap between historic preservation and modern design. Located in a building with a rich brewing history, the space required a design approach that honored its rustic origins while also appealing to contemporary tastes. To achieve this, the designers chose deep burgundy ceramic tiles to wrap around a central column — a decision that immediately draws the eye and serves as a focal point.

The Taproom in the Tenczynek Brewery by Projekt Praga, Poland

The contrast between the glossy finish of the tiles and the rough texture of the exposed brick walls creates a dialogue between the past and present. Apart from simply standing out and drawing the visitor’s attention, the tiles initiate a conversation between the building’s historical context and its new function as a modern taproom. This careful interplay of textures and colors revitalizes the space, ensuring it feels both historically grounded and refreshingly modern.

This approach highlights how tiles can serve as a powerful tool in the evolution of historic spaces, bridging eras and styles to create environments that are both timeless and contemporary.

3. Creating Cohesion and Connectivity

The Blue Line Apartment by Asooarch Company, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran

In residential design, particularly in spaces with multiple functions, there’s a well-known need to maintain a sense of cohesion and flow. Traditionally, this might be achieved through a consistent color palette or a well-thought-out layout. However, when tiles are no longer confined to kitchens and bathrooms, they can become the glue that holds a space together — quite literally.

The Blue Line Apartment in Bandar-e Mahshahr is a prime example of how tiles can be used to connect distinct areas within a living space, enhancing the overall sense of unity. Designed to cater to the varied needs of its occupants, the apartment features separate zones for living, working and relaxation. The challenge in this project was to create a sense of connectivity across these distinct areas and the solution came in the form of a continuous line of handmade blue tiles that runs throughout the space.

The Blue Line Apartment by Asooarch Company, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran

These tiles create a visual link that ties the space together, ensuring that each area, despite its unique function, contributes to a cohesive whole. The vibrant blue tiles guide the eye through the apartment, establishing a flow that makes the transition between living, working and relaxation zones feel natural and fluid. The tiles not only unify the design but also bring an energetic vibe to the space, adding life and personality to the apartment. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the tiles’ durable, water-resistant nature makes them a practical choice for wet areas like the Jacuzzi and sauna, proving that design can be both beautiful and functional.

4. Reflecting Local Traditions

CASA MYM by Numero 26 Studio, Murcia, Spain

Another noticeable shift in today’s design landscape is the growing movement towards vernacular and contextually aware architecture, an approach that seeks to honor local traditions while incorporating contemporary aesthetics. Tiles, with their deep roots in cultural history, are increasingly being used to bring a sense of place and identity to modern homes.

CASA M Y M in Murcia, Spain, is a striking example of how tiles can be used to express and preserve local identity. Nestled in the lush orchards of Murcia, this house draws heavily on the region’s traditional building techniques and materials, including locally sourced wood, reeds and ceramic tiles. These elements anchor the design firmly in its environment, creating a strong and authentic connection to the surrounding landscape.

CASA MYM by Numero 26 Studio, Murcia, Spain

The ceramic tiles used throughout CASA M Y M are not merely decorative; they are deeply symbolic. The patterns on the tiles are inspired by traditional embroidery motifs from the region’s horticultural workwear, infusing the home with a cultural narrative that speaks to its agricultural heritage. These tiles are strategically applied across floors, walls and even the steps leading to the pool, crafting a cohesive aesthetic that ties the interior and exterior spaces together.

The application of these tiles does more than just improve the home’s visual appeal; it tells a story. By integrating motifs and materials that are intrinsic to the local culture, the design provides a sense of place that is both genuine and resonant. CASA M Y M illustrates how tiles can be used to provide context, creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply rooted in their cultural and environmental settings.

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