Single-Brand Store of the Year

The Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store, Eonsld and The System Lab (8.93)

Tamburins is reshaping the concept of offline stores to create a distinctive brand experience, solidifying its presence not just through products but also in the realm of space. Tamburins views its stores as places for customers to fully immerse themselves in the brand, rather than just spaces for making purchases. Their spaces intuitively showcase the aesthetics they pursue.

‘Interesting approach of to an open architectural framework structure that brings focus to the space within the glass enclosure,’ says John Naranjo, creative director at Arcadis - Callison RTKL. ‘The design creates curiosity in its approach.’

Multi-Brand Store of the Year

Naïve Bookstore, Atelier Tao+C (8.64)

Since its inception, the publishing institute - naïve has set up bookstores in several cities that accommodate books and coffee to intrigue reading behaviors within its conceptualized space. On a snow field of Aranya Chongli in northern China, atelier tao+c conceived the new naïve bookstore as a luminous space in the midst of ice and snow, seamlessly integrated with the surrounding landscape, climate and nature.

The existing site is a bare concrete space about 400sqm with partially double height ceiling, next to the snow-covered slopes and firtree forest on the south side.

‘Perfectly integrated into the landscape with large window surfaces that bring in light and nature,’ says Anette Skeie, head of design at Norco Interior. ‘Love the use of fibreglass and the transparent light expression it creates.’

Pop-Up Store of the Year

Portable Bakehouse, F.O.G. Architecture (8.94)

The overall form is informed by a barn. The wooden structure features shading board on the front and rainproof canopy supported on top at the back, with stacks of grain sacks as façade and ladder on the side, referencing a straw shed for resting commonly seen on Chinese farmland. We want to maximise its flexibility and mobility, able to be adapted in various environment, creating a new public space within an urban city. We want to use architecture as a medium to connect people and the land.

‘Unique, innovative and mobile, with a design that reimagines the traditional bakery experience,’ says Torquil McIntosh, cofounder at Sybarite. ‘It perfectly blends functionality and style.’

Best Use of Colour

Straordinaria, We+ (8.09)

This is an installation that embodies the product philosophy of Elica, an Italian company standing at the forefront in the production of cooking appliances, exhibited in the courtyard of Palazzo Litta, one of the most iconic stages in Milan and a magnificent example of Lombard Baroque architecture.

‘The colour scheme, though expected, effectively creates an ethereal feeling in the installation and conveys the product’s concept wall,’ says Nazanin Naeini, exhibition designer at Guggenheim Museum. ‘The soft, transluscent hues enhance the overall ambience and align with the installation’s theme.’

Best Use of Material

Suetomi Aoq Café Stand, Ryohei Tanaka / G Architects Studio (8.48)

This is a coffee stand belonging to AoQ, a new brand established by SUETOMI, the renowned confectionery shop in Kyoto. The stand is on Karasuma-dori street which runs from the Kyoto train station, and is located on the ground floor of a two-story wooden building at an intersection surrounded by hotels and office buildings.

‘The design is both delicate and bold in every detail, staying cohesive and true to the overall design approach,’ Orlando Marques, founder and director of OMstudio Lighting Design.

Lighting of the Year

Array, Umut Yamac (8.09)

Array is an exploration of thread and its potential to create lightweight and dynamic sculptures of light. Composed of an array of fine threads pulled taut between two rings, the collection presents a variety of conical and cylindrical silhouettes that can be combined together to form a compelling installation. Experimenting with light, Yamac manipulates layers of technically processed thread into majestic, three-dimensional volumes that shimmer overhead.

‘This product stands out with a very elegant look being both fragile and impressive at the same time, ’says Jukka Halminen, founding partner and creative lead at Design Office KOKO3. ‘Functional for what it’s designed for and innovative in the way it’s made, it is also sustainable because of its sparse use of material.’

Tai Kwun Chairs, Arta Architects (8.31)

Tai Kwun is a unique mix of heritage and contemporary architecture. With a deep respect for authenticity, 16 heritage buildings have been meticulously restored for adaptive reuse, while two new buildings designed by renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron were added, featuring designs inspired by the site’s historic brickwork. The Laundry Steps at Tai Kwun is located underneath one of these new buildings, and has in the last 5 years been a space for impromptu gatherings, events, and performances. While the space is incredibly popular, the outdoor concrete steps were relatively uncomfortable for visitors to sit on for longer periods of time, and resulted in a lack of welcoming atmosphere.

‘An interesting, innovative and well-working view on a seat that can be added to create a seating area on large stairs,’says Jukka Halminen, founding partner and creative lead at Design Office KOKO3.