Architizer, the world’s largest online platform for architecture, announced this week the official launch of the 1st Annual A+Firm Awards, a new program created to spotlight the architects and collaborators behind the world’s best architecture.

Building on the success of its A+Awards program, which honors the year’s best buildings and spaces, the A+Firm Awards is the only firm awards program explicitly designed to honor offices of all sizes, specializations, and geographies. With its star-studded jury and a global audience of 7+ million, the A+Firm Awards is poised to become one of the highest accolades in the A&E industry. 

“Firm of the Year is a huge appreciation of our work because Architizer is such an international, global platform.” - Jacob Van Rijs, Co-Founder, MVRDV

Emblematic of the Awards’ founding mission to “break architecture out of the echo chamber” (Marc Kushner), the prestigious A+Firm Awards Jury represents the many stakeholders that commission, design and support great architecture. The 2020 Jury features luminaries from the fields of architecture, real estate, media, culture, fashion, technology, and more, and includes:

Hans Ulrich Obrist (Director, Serpentine Galleries)

Virgil Abloh (Fashion Designer and Founder, Off-White)

Kelly Wearstler (Founder, Kelly Wearstler Design)

Ji Lee (Creative Director, Facebook)

David Rockwell (Chairman, Rockwell Group)

Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi (Director, Sharjah Art Foundation)

Debbie Millman (Host, Design Matters)

Barry Bergdoll (Architecture Critic, Author, and Academic)

Yves Behar (Founder, Fuse Project)

In collaboration with its official partners, Phaidon, Aesthetica Magazine, Global Design Awards Lab, Aoyama Design Forum, and v2com Newswire, the A+Firm Awards expects to draw thousands of entries from A&E firms around the globe. The program is the first of its size and reaches to offer awards for each geographic region, firms of all sizes, and those specializing in Cultural, Hospitality, Humanitarian, Landscape, Interiors, and Residential works. The A+Firm Awards also recognizes the many brilliant collaborators that help bring architecture to life, including real estate developers, engineering firms, architectural photographers, rendering studios, and more.

“Architecture has never been created by a singular, star architect. The concept of the ‘lone design genius’ is outdated and in need of an overhaul” - Paul Keskeys, Architizer

To win a coveted A+Firm Award, firms will be judged on a portfolio of their work comprising up to six projects, three of which must be completed in the last ten years. This approach provides firms an opportunity to share their unique creative vision and illustrate how it has evolved in response to professional, societal, and environmental change. Notable firms such as Adjaye Associates, MVRDV, and Studio Gang have received previous A+Awards recognition for their portfolios, but the A+Firm Awards present the first dedicated opportunity for firm-wide recognition on Architizer. 

“It’s an incredible honor and, of course, very humbling. To be recognized for work that you deeply believe in is incredibly rewarding.” - Sir David Adjaye, Principal, Adjaye Associates

The 1st Annual A+Firm Awards also see a new addition to Architizer’s annual book series published by Phaidon: “Architizer: The World’s Best Architects” is a stunning, hardcover book featuring select projects, interviews, and other ephemera created by A+Firm Awards Winners.

About Architizer

Architizer’s core mission is to empower architects. Through its inspiring content, building-product marketplace, awards programs, and vast online reach, Architizer connects architects with the tools they need to build better buildings, better cities, and a better world. 

Key Dates: 

Launch: September 15, 2020

Early Entry Deadline: October 9, 2020

Final Entry Deadline: November 20, 2020

Extended Entry Deadline: December 11, 2020

Winners Announced: January 2021