Architect Magazine Announces Architecture & Interiors Awards

From reimagining what mixed-use developments or adaptive reuse can look like to utilizing outdoor spaces to enhance indoor experiences or creating something new that honors the character of the neighborhood it inhabits, the 2024 Architecture & Interiors Award winners demonstrate that beauty and function are never mutually exclusive.

Worldwide Awards Focused on Sustainability, Design, and Drama

These award-winning projects illustrate the perfect balance between form, aesthetics, and functionality, inspiring architects across the globe.

A jury composed of three prominent voices in design—Ben Crawford of Omniplan, Dallas, John Frane of HGA, Los Angeles, and Brooke Horan of HDR, New York—was moderated by Paul Makovsky as they evaluated an eclectic slate of honorees. They selected winners that represent “a diverse range of commercial architecture and interior design projects showcasing innovation and ingenuity in all its forms” for Architect Magazine.

In total, there were 34 awards: 11 projects received Honors awards, while another 23 garnered Merit awards. The projects spanned the globe, from the Honor Award-winning Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India, to the mixed-use project Die Macherei in Munich, Germany. From the striking interior staircase that earned the Special Entry FIXTURE Award in New York City to the Théâtre de Verdure in Montreal, and the sophisticated use of indoor space at the Neil Campbell Rowing Center in Ontario, Canada, the breadth and depth of the projects showcase the remarkable talents of architects, designers, engineers, developers, and contractors.

Below, we provide a closer look at a few of the winners and explore why they stood out among the thousands of architectural designs created each year.

Biophilic Design at Kempegowda International Airport

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) won a 2024 Honor Award for Government & Civic Building with their innovative and holistic biophilic design of the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India.

SOM’s Terminal 2 design for the airport evokes “a calming oasis for travelers,” seamlessly blending nature and architecture to pay homage to Bengaluru’s reputation as the “Garden City.” The biophilic design, developed in collaboration with landscape architect Grant Associates, integrates living walls, meandering paths, and lush hanging gardens. These elements, combined with indoor waterfalls, not only provide visual interest and meditative spaces for travelers but also help regulate temperature within the terminal.

Engineered bamboo is a central design element, adorning ceilings, covering structural elements, and cladding the two-story pavilions on the site. This choice evokes traditional Indian cane while offering a sustainable and contemporary aesthetic.

The project’s execution, which cost Rs 5,000 crore ($595.986 million USD), was led by general contractor Larsen & Toubro, with a focus on sustainability. The terminal also received Platinum Certification from the Indian Green Building Council and is the largest terminal in the world to earn LEED Platinum pre-certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

What Is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design provides an opportunity for people and nature to coexist harmoniously in commercial spaces. By integrating natural elements within architecture, it promotes a connection between people and the environment, enhancing well-being, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of place. This trend is increasingly popular in civic, commercial, and residential architecture.

Adaptive Reuse: Arts & Letters Creative Co.

ARCHITECTUREFIRM, in collaboration with AFK Group, Engineering Solutions, and general contractor DPR Construction, transformed a historic power plant into a modern office space for the creative agency Arts & Letters Creative Co. The adaptive reuse of the former Lucky Strike Tobacco power plant, originally built in the 1930s, posed challenges but ultimately resulted in a stunning balance between the building’s industrial past and its modern, collaborative future.

The design retains the building’s original industrial character, preserving exposed brick walls, steel structural elements, and large industrial windows. To bring more light into the space, skylights were added, and white walls, light wood details, and ceiling fans further enhanced the open and airy atmosphere.

The 20,400-square-foot project, completed in 2021 at a cost of $3.8 million, provides the perfect workspace for Arts & Letters Creative Co.’s 160-person team. The upper floors feature an open-plan design that encourages collaboration, while the lower floors house quiet workspaces, production facilities, dark rooms, and screening rooms. The result is a space that celebrates both the past and the future, embodying the spirit of adaptive reuse in a modern work environment.

Die Macherei: A Mixed-Use Neighborhood Full of Surprises

The Scandic München Macherei is the crown jewel of the award-winning mixed-use neighborhood Die Macherei in Munich, Germany. Designed by a collaboration of architectural firms including HWKN Architecture, OSA, m3 Architekten, and Holger Meyer Architektur, this LEED-Gold certified neighborhood transformed a once-barren industrial site into a vibrant community that incorporates coworking spaces, retail shops, restaurants, entertainment, offices, and a 10-story hotel.

One of the standout features of Die Macherei is its design coherence. While each building has its own distinct personality, the development as a whole pays tribute to Munich’s brick-making history. The hotel’s façade, in particular, seems to be in motion, as though each brick is part of a larger puzzle just waiting to click into place.

The use of sustainable building practices and a focus on environmental impact earned the project its LEED-Gold certification, a testament to the architectural teams’ commitment to sustainability. This designation highlights the importance of integrating green construction practices in urban developments—a standard increasingly expected in projects worldwide.

What Is LEED Certification?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most globally recognized rating system for green building construction. LEED certification levels—Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—are awarded based on a project’s adherence to sustainable practices, which can include reducing carbon footprint, conserving water, optimizing energy efficiency, and minimizing waste.

With over 197,000 projects across 186 countries and more than 29 billion square feet of buildings certified globally, LEED is a significant benchmark for sustainable building. Projects can earn certification in a variety of sectors, from Building Design and Construction (BD+C) to Interior Design and Construction (ID+C), and even Neighborhood Development (ND).

The Importance of Pre-Construction Documentation

Each of the 34 winning projects highlighted in Architect Magazine is a testament to the architects’ creativity and vision, but also to the meticulous planning and coordination required to execute such complex designs. From initial concept through construction, careful documentation of existing conditions is essential to ensuring a project’s success. Without precise pre-construction plans, including clash detection and construction progress capture, even the most promising designs could falter during implementation.

Existing Conditions: Supporting Architects with Accurate Data

At Existing Conditions, we help you Intelligently Visualize The Built World^® by providing precise documentation of built environments anywhere in the U.S. Our services—including 3D laser scanning, drone surveying, and BIM modeling—enable architects to make informed design decisions based on the most accurate data available.

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