Honouring the Top 100 Architects and Designers by Architectural Digest ⇒ The following article will serve as an honouring piece for those we were selected by Architectural Digest as the top 100 architects and designers of this passing year. Changing the world with their creations, these ground-breaking designers willing to go beyond their limits in order to create the most extraordinary products of artistry. In this proficient selection courtesy of AD, these artists will be categorised by their specialities within the design world.
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Architecture
“The Avant-Garde – 8 architectural powerhouses whose soaring structures are reshaping the world’s skylines”
British designer David Adjaye often works on commercial projects from the United States to Beirut. Now, he has made history after designing the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington which opened this year.
Bjarke Ingels is known for creating cutting-edge designs, whether it is punctuating cityscapes with daring towers or devising innovative public spaces. Overall, the group never seizes to amaze design enthusiasts as you can see by the image depicted above of the Grove, in Miami.
Elizabeth Diller, Ricardo Scofidio, Charles Renfro, and Benjamin Gilmartin lead the design firm into improving cities, rethinking conventions, and democratising spaces for public use. This philosophy can be perfectly confirmed by the astonishing Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.
The Swiss design company is responsible for the design of Tate Modern in London. Herzog and de Meuron founded the firm back in 1978. Since then, they have become quite renowned artists due to their virtuous and creative input in the design world.
The Los Angeles-based designer often does urban work in his hometown as he already transformed vacant land into a thriving mixed-use development and devised celebrated housing for the homeless. Currently, Maltzan is working on a new viaduct for the city.
Frontrunners Shohei Shigematsu and Jason Long believe that “Beauty is discovered through the interrogation of possibility.” The design partners usually do astounding creations from Tokyo to Canada, just take a look at their fabulous Pierre Lassonde Pavilion Grand Alle Cantilever, in Quebec.
According to Craig Dykers and Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, “Design allows us to change reality”. The Duo has made quite an impact from Oslo to San Francisco with indelible creations, for example, contemplate the grandness of the Ryerson University’s Student Learning Centre, in Toronto.
Following the ideology that design connects people on a social, experiential, and intellectual basis, the designed studio guided by Jeanne Gang designed this striking wood-walled Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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“The Classicists – 4 Superstar talents refreshing history’s lessons for contemporary life”
The New-York based firm led by Mark Ferguson and Oscar Shamamian aspires to “carry forward the best the past offers in new and appropriate ways.” They ofter do work in residential designs in a very classical fashion to an extremely elite clientele. Above, you can see the result of a renovation of a duplex by the duo.
The Designer’s main goal is to design comfortable and accommodating houses that have a timeless distinction. His primary source of inspiration is American House architects of the Colonial Revival period. He designed this marvellous pool house in Connecticut that takes the form of a luxurious barn with stone walls.
John Ike, Thomas A. Kligerman, and Joel Barkley best describe their style as being emotional, approachable, and intellectual. Their work is best known for having stunning rooflines, audacious dormers, and shingles galore. You can see the first one in this beautiful residence in Rhode Island.
The New-York based designer utilises 3-D rapid prototyping in order to produce unique details and objects in a project. In addition, Pennoyer is recognised as a forerunner in classicism and historic preservation. The Image illustrates one of his renovation projects in a New York townhouse.
“The Modernists – 9 cutting-edge architects who put a poetic spin on pure forms”
The Architect is renowned for her dexterity in balancing modern with warmth aspects. Deborah Berke’s designs represent a sense of clarity, simplicity, and sensitivity to context. Currently, she is the dean of the Yale School of Architecture. Depicted above, you can visualise the designer’s minimalist house, in Bridgehampton.
The Studio is represented by Marc Turkel, Morgan Hare, and Shawn Watts and they design intelligent, responsible, inquisitive, and enduring buildings. Their next project will entail going back to design basics, meaning understated and thoughtfully crafted architecture.
Based in Seattle, the architecture firm introduces refined aesthetics with a relaxed Pacific Northwest spirit. According to Kundig, “Architecture is about context — cultural or natural,” Olson believes that “Indoors and outdoors should flow together.” Take a look at their astonishing design of a Hillside Villa in Hong Kong.
Their architectural and landscape productions combine elements of traditional and modern calibre. They have designed Julianne Moore’s garden in her New York townhouse and the result is simply sensational as the duo used reclaimed bluestone pavers for the terrace and a striking black fence.
The Architecture practice was founded by Annabelle Selldorf. Her designs are best defined for mixing rigour with romance in ambitious ventures. Take a look at practice’s renovation project of the John Way Library at Brown University.
Co-founder of SheltonMindel, Lee F. Mindel declares that the New York firm “creates spaces that solve problems”. The architect is an expert in 20th-century design especially when it comes to uncluttered spaces rooted in history. Above depicted, you can see the alluring interiors of a house in Colorado.
Based in Tribeca, the architecture firm develops a varied range of productions, from penthouses to pool houses. To the designer, it is important to involve the client in a refined and communicative process to create the most singular and exquisite spaces as one can observe in this oceanfront retreat in New York.
The husband-and-wife architecture team is acclaimed for producing masterpieces that feature clean lines and serene spaces. Their philosophy lies in the following belief: “We measure the value of our work by the quiet pleasure of the lives lived in our buildings.”
Renowned for creating modern spaces while exploring the grace of poetry, the designer showcases a wide spectrum of products, ranging from cultural to residential designs. Basically, Toshiko Mori is a skilled master of nuanced spatial designs.
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Interior Design
“American Beauties – Classic American decorating never looked better in the hands of these homegrown talents”
The firm was founded by designer Thomas O’Brien is best known for adhering to the ideology of turning traditional objects or spaces into modern ones, making sure all of the studio’s designs are meticulously effective. Aero Studios is currently working on a turn-of-the-century home in Long Island.
The Los-Angels firm is headlined by Alexandra and Michael Misczynski and they describe their signature style as being edited. This can be seen in their design project in a living room apartment in Chicago where they decorated with Macassar ebony panels.
Bilhuber designs can be identified as being traditional while incorporating modern practicalities. To him, it is paramount to have a passion for decorative arts and a creation should always reflect a family or individual’s history. David Bowie was one of his most distinguished clients as well as Mariska Hargitay.
The Company of interiors is managed by Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller and their working style pinpointed as understated elegance as well as timeless, tailored, and refined, take, for instance, this living room decor in Southampton, New York. Out of curiosity, Jessica Chastain and Annie Leibovitz are some of their most preeminent clients.
Founded by Ellie Cullman, the firm’s aesthetic work is specified as redesigning traditional projects. They are presently elaborating hand-knotted rugs for Crosby Street Studios.
Architect and designer Russell Groves is responsible for the New York-based studio, and Groves characterises its style as “Layered modernism infused with warmth and ease.” Groves’ firm is simultaneously working on a residential tower in New York and a Napa Valley estate.
The studio’s style can be translated as fashionable historic as Thomas Jayne tries to combine time-honoured details with cutting-edge designs as you can see in this French-styled home whose walls entail elaborate mouldings outlined by sophisticated furniture.
M (Group)
Recounted by their eye-catching creations, M (Group) is led by Hermes Mallea and Carey Maloney. The Group’s main purpose is to create sumptuous and gracious residences. They are currently restoring a 19th-century Hudson Valley Home in Mexico.
Mark Hampton LLC
According to Alexa Hampton, their signature style can be particularised as an “Eclectic design that is as logical as it is unique.” Their upcoming creations will include lots of patterns.
Recently launching three exclusive outdoor collections of furniture for Brown Jordan, the designer describes his design methodology as “pure classical design traditions with unexpected elements.” This year, Smith was awarded the 2016 Sorolla Medal for promoting Spanish arts.
The ensuing comment by the studio’s leading man provides intel on how they view and design interiors, “rooms should be comfortable, layered, and appointed with furnishings and details that acknowledge the past, albeit with a fresh and clear approach.” which can only be confirmed by their blooming decor of a Mississipi home.
Their design technique can construe as an amalgamation of aspects by both traditional and contemporary design, often recurring to the use of velvets and linens. They frequently seek influences in the work of Peter Marino and Thierry Despont. According to Kasler, what can be expected from the interiors company is “Decorating that isn’t so perfect.”
The High-end residential interior design firm principals, Suzanne Trucker and Timothy Marks embrace on a daily basis the individual and magnificent forms of design. Depicted atop, you can see their transformation of a neoclassical-styled San Francisco apartment in a collaboration with Andrew Skurman Architects.
Victoria Hagan’s designs exude sophistication in the use of neutral palette, something you can observe in this 19th-century home in Connecticut. Her designs are described by herself as Timeless American.
“The Connoisseurs – The sophisticated stylists who know how to curate five-star interiors”
Daniel Romualdez Architects
Epitomising the essence of luxe interiors, Romualdez believes that “form follows function—a home, no matter how beautiful, does not succeed if it’s not comfortable.” A particular distinction of this designer is the considerable amount of styles he utilises when decorating, always having in consideration thought-provoking and cultivated perspectives.
Characterised by a simple and playful style, the New York-based firm longs for combining contrasting approaches. Among their recent projects, one can discover a Victorian townhouse in London, a villa, and a residence in Tangier.
Molyneux goes beyond limits to incorporate historic thematics into his designs, while sometimes linking it together with modern details always providing the best craftsmanship services.
Based in Los Angeles, Paul Fortune best described the studio’s philosophy as “We pay attention to history and provenance and then make the project work in the present.” Marc Jacobs and Sofia Coppola are two of their most distinctive clients.
One of the most important aspects of design to Stephen Sills is developing a creative design according to the clients’ needs and wants. When asked about what the future holds for Sills and associates, he said, “A return to living with antiquities, and more modern, multicolour rooms.” Legend Tina Turner is one of his most powerful clients.
Steven Volpe defines his signature style as being “thoughtfully modern”, meaning everything is maximised to detail and knowledge while being aesthetically pleasing. You can clearly see this translation in his rendition of a dining room area in a San Franciscan residence.
Studio Peregalli
The Studio is driven by Laura Sartoni Rimini and Roberto Peregalli. They conduct designs through two unique strategies which are creating nostalgic elements for the past and by always being curious about the present. Within their resumé are an apartment for Vogue’s Hamish Bowles in Manhattan and a penthouse in Tel Aviv.
In regards to his technique, Sofield discloses that “I am grounded by all forms of craft as articulated through functionality, personality, and value.” So as to understand his statement, you can see how coherently his design of Tom Ford’s flagship store in Miami, truly is. His upcoming projects will be represented by an individual and idiosyncratic outlook.
Based in New York, the designer’s creations are perceived as tailored interiors imbued by a knowledge on various areas of interest, from architecture to fine arts.
Focusing on bringing personality to a space, Waldo Fernandez mashes elements from venerable styles with groundbreaking novelties. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are among his most valuable clients.
“British Invasion – England’s leading lights create stylish rooms admired around the world”
In his designs, Alidad Mahloudji gives preference to decorative textiles, luxury textures, and antique furnishings. Above all, the designer gravitates towards comfort and opulence.
Francis Sultana emphasises that his style revolves around “sophisticated luxury built on noble materials, quality, and craftsmanship.” He named the Heydar Aliyev Center designed by Zaha Hadid Architects as his favourite building. The Interior designer is also looking forward to working on traditional techniques, such as marquetry and églomise.
Haslam is not entirely too concerned about the aesthetics of design instead he sees the art form as intuitive and perpetual. Recently, he developed a colour collection for Paint the Town Green.
Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam Ltd.
Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen’s style lies on mixing the affluent perspectives of traditional designs with unforeseen aspects. The duo often operates with moody metallics and glossy surfaces.
Characterised by utilising a varied range of patterns and decorating to the smallest detail, Kime is able to create an everlasting sensation in fairly new rooms. He is also recognised for his classic English creations with slight hints of exoticism and worldwide textiles. He is currently adding more material to his collections of fabrics and wallpapers.
Considered to be Britain’s designer of the moment, Rose Uniacke creates unprecedented interiors each time. Her style is described as being simple yet refined. To the designer, a room should be comfortable, meditative, and relaxing, for example, this London bedroom is composed of colourful tones and warm elements.
