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.
Architecture
“The Avant-Garde – 8 architectural powerhouses whose soaring structures are reshaping the world’s skylines”
Adjaye Associates
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.
BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)
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.
Diller Scofidio + Renfro
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.
Herzog & de Meuron
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.
Michael Maltzan Architecture
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.
OMA New York
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.
Snøhetta
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.
Studio Gang
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”
Ferguson & Shamamian Architects
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.
G. P. Schafer Architect
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.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
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.
Peter Pennoyer Architects
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”
Deborah Berke Partners
The Architect is renowned for her dexterity on balancing modern with warmth aspects. 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.
Leroy Street Studio
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.
Olson Kundig
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.
Sawyer | Berson
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.
Selldorf Architects
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.
SheltonMindel
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.
Steven Harris Architects
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.
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
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.”
Toshiko Mori Architect
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, Mori is a skilled master of nuanced spatial designs.
Interior Design
“American Beauties – Classic American decorating never looked better in the hands of these homegrown talents”
Aero Studios
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.
Atelier AM
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 and Associates
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.
Carrier and Company Interiors
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.
Cullman & Kravis Inc.
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.
Groves & Co.
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.
Jayne Design Sutido Inc.
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.
Michael S. Smith Inc.
Recently launching three exclusive outdoor collections of furniture for Brown Jordan, the designers 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.
Richard Keith Langham Inc.
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.
Suzanne Kasler Interiors
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.”
Tucker & Marks Inc.
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 Interiors
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.
Frank De Basi Interiors
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.
JP Molyneux Studio Ltd.
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.
Paul Fortune Design Studio
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.
Stephen Sills Associates
One of the most important aspects of design to 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, multicolor rooms.” Legend Tina Turner is one of his most powerful clients.
Steven Volpe Design
The designer from San Francisco 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 tranlation in his 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.
Studio Sofield Inc.
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.
Thad Hayes Inc.
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.
Waldo’s Design
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”
Alidad Ltd.
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
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.
Nicky Halsam Studio
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 unforseen aspects. The duo often operates with moody metallics and glossy surfaces.
Robert Kime Design
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.
Rose Uniacke Studio Ltd.
Considered to be Britain’s designer of the moment, Uniacke creates unprecendent 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.
Studioilse
Ilse Crawford is responsible for the luxury interiors studio and she believes that design is “about designing spaces that prioritize the immeasurable values, that make the normal special and make us feel alive.” Ultimately, the creative director finds fundamental to create comfortable places in any kind of environment.
Veere Grenney Associates
Based in London, Grenney’s design philosophy prevails in a crossover between beauty and comfort. In their works, the Grenney Associates fuse traditional with modern elements in both architecture and design productions as well as harmonising the equilibrium between colours and textures.
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“French Connection – Maestros of the chic and luxurious with a Parisian point of view”
Agence Charles Zana
The Forerunner of the French firm best described his style as contemporary classicism. Within, his recent projects were a London’s Kensington House Hotel and a Guy Martin restaurant at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Décoration Jacques Garcia
“I am, before everything, a creator of atmospheres.” – this were the wise words from Parisian architect and interior designer, Jacques Garcia when regarded about his philosophy on creating art. Garcia designed the Wolfgang Puck’s Cut restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York (above depicted).
François Catraux
Catraux’s technique results in a combination of discipline, clarity and glamour. His top clients are Diane von Furstenberg, Princess Marie-Chantal and Prince Pavlos of Greece. For his next projects, the designer will be focusing more on art itself instead of decoration.
Jean-Louis Deniot
Deniot’s impressive designs have become quite renowned worldwide, they are simoutaneously portrayed for being cutting-edge, provocative, and ambiental. He has recently premiered a furniture and lighting collection for Baker and design enthusiasts can expect for more as the designer assures to go into a “High-voltage French style” project.
Laplace
When designing, the Argentian designer based in Paris is mostly influenced by his architectural studies. The designers blends simple elements of modernity with elegance, his designs are often conceptual of cultures or traditions. According to Luis Laplace, his next project will deliver “rigor, harmony, and simplicity.”
Pierre Yovanovitch Architecture d’Intérieur
French Designer, Pierre Yovanovitch is known for merging vintage pieces with modern ones originating in extremely luxurious designs – “I like to combine vintage masterpieces by the likes of Folke Bensow, James Mont, and Paul Dupré-Lafon with contemporary custom-made pieces.”
Robert Couturier Inc.
Couturier’s practice is based in New York and is creations are regurlarly contrued for being remarkably sophisticated and colourfully resourceful, whether in modern or contemporary ambiences.
Tino Zervudachi & Associés
Throughout as a polished style designer, Tino was responsible for projects such as a chalet in Gstaad and a villa in Athens. His designs are extremely eclectic and bohemian.
The New Traditionalist – Savvy interpreters of the past who breathe new life into the tried and true
Alex Papachristidis Interiors
Based in Manhattan, his interiors are characterised as fresh and classic while benefiting from 18th-century furniture and contemporary artisan-made pieces. The Designer is quite fond o colours as well, so much so, that he is looking to bringing into the conversation works in chintz but this time with modern colours.
Brian J. McCarthy Inc.
Specialising in high-end residential projects, McCarthy believes, like many other prominent designers that a design should reflect the clients’ being while also being spontaneous.
Isabel López-Quesada
From city homes to large country estates, the Spanish designer finds her roots when designing “Magical homes that are sensitive to the architecture and faithful to their place.”
Jan Showers & Associates Inc.
Directed by the idea that blending high and low provenances are the next ceremonial phase in design, the Dallas-based artists, finds that beauty, luxury and comfort should be always present in any setting.
Juan Montoya Design
The Interior designer develops chic and livable lux spaces with eccentric accents, he even suggests that “Attention to detail and a customized use of materials are key in creating unique results.” He is presently working on a furniture collection for Biasi & Co. In forthcoming projects, one can expect intriguing designs involving floral and botanical patterns.
Kemble Interiors
A team of mother (Mimi McKain) and daughter (Celeste Kemble) who main purpose is to provide comfortable, thoughtful and lively designs that brim with personality as you can see by this freeing living room set in the Dominican Republic.
Mark Cunningham
To Cunningham is fundamental to evaluate the specifics of a design project and the artist behind the piece needs to be versatile, ranging from several styles and perspectives.
Markham Roberts Inc.
Roberts bases his design philosophy on not imposing personal preferences onto the client, instead, it needs to be a real reflection of them. His brings a fresh and modern approach to classical design.
Richard Mishaan Design
Born in Colombia, his roots gave him great insight into creating luxury and quality designs. His knowledge of multiple branches within the industry has secured him as a visionary of spirited designs, in other words, he creates vibrant and iconic pieces.
Shawn Henderson Interior Design
No matter the period a piece is representing, Henderson always “strives for sophistication, comfort, and harmony.” Will Ferrell has been a long-time client of the interior design practice.
Stephen Shadley Designs
Requested by many Hollywood superstars, such as Jennifer Aniston and Diane Keaton, Shadley Designs pursues an ideology that design is a narrative and the creator of dreams needs to respond not only to the client but also the context. The designer is working on a 1913 castle in New York.
Tom Scheerer Inc.
Scheerer seeks to produce modern designs that are affected in some way are serene and traditional. His designs also feature clear architectural solutions.
“The Daredevils – 5 audacious visionaries whose rooms are all about shock and awe”
Ingrao Inc.
The company is asserted by Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper. Essentially, their style could be described as distinctive and avant-garde. Happening quite soon, the partners want to add more outdoor green spaces to the urban lifestyle.
Kelly Wearstler
Renowned for her vivacious and colourful compositions, Kelly Wearstler knows how to perfectly blend daring textures with bold colours while telling a fulfilling story –“I want to tell evocative design stories, adventurous and full of soul.” Her clientele list goes from Cameron Diaz to Gwen Stefani and quite recently she has designed the interiors of Proper Hotels in Austin, San Francisco, and Los Angeles alongside Brad Korzen
Lorenzo Castillo
Many of his designs are inspired in Madrid and they exude a “Classic intellectual style with a modern spirit.” His projects of Summer houses in Barcelona and Biarritz are quite coveted.
Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design
The Californian designer views Modern Luxury as the most comfortable of options, this is very evident in projects, such as the Raleigh hotel in Miami Beach and Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara. His clients range from Kendall Jenner to Ellen Pompeo.
Rafael de Cárdenas Ltd./Architecture at Large
The multi-disciplinary practice of Rafael de Cárdenas is led by the philosophy of “keen historical interest and an attention to the complex movements of culture in the moment.” His next project will be related to artificial intelligence.
“Young Guns – The next generation of trendsetters, tastemakers, and design gurus”
Ashe + Leonardo
A Partnership between Ariel Ashe and Reinaldo Leandro that has been gaining a lot of exposure projects that convey instinct, ingenuity, humor, a