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EXPLORE OUR CITY GUIDES CURATED BY YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS.
“Glasgow is friendly in its own unvarnished way with a mix of elegance and edge, ambition and modesty. Its culture, from music to architecture and food, reflects a city alive with generosity and invention. We enjoy its authenticity: unpretentious yet full of history and always ready to embrace and reward those who approach it with an open mind.”
“We know Porto through years of walking, studying, and working in its streets, from the slopes above the Douro to the civic spaces around Aliados. The city has a long architectural tradition, shaped by precision, material honesty, and thoughtful urbanity, and it is no coincidence that Porto has produced two Pritzker Prize laureates. This heritage guides the way we read context and approach design. The five of us grew up and studied here, and Porto remains the place where we continue to learn how architecture can respond to its surroundings with clarity, intention, and a deep sense of continuity.” – Diogo Brito, Co‑Founder OODA
“São Paulo is a city made of layers of time, cultures, architectures, and contradictions. It is intense, unequal, loud, and imperfect, and it does not hide its conflicts. Here, architecture is not born from comfort, but from adaptation, urgency, and the diversity of stories that coexist every day. Perhaps that is why São Paulo remains one of the most challenging and at the same time most powerful urban territories to reflect on the present and future of cities.”
– Amanda Ferber, CEO & Founder of Architecture Hunter
“Miami has been my muse since I began my career in architecture – a place where nature, culture, and atmosphere converge with such effortless beauty that architecture becomes not just building, but storytelling. Everything I create here is a love letter to the city that helped shape me.” – Chad Oppenheim
“Sydney gives us contrast: raw edges and refined spaces, coastal clarity and urban energy. The studio sits somewhere in between.”
“My connection with Rio goes back to my birth. I grew up and have lived here all my life, and without a doubt, my language as an architect was also shaped by this place: by the vast open spaces that blur the boundaries between the built and the natural, by the sculptural beauty of the hills and forests that frame Rio’s landscape, and by the urban life—often chaotic, but ultimately inescapable. It’s impossible to leave Rio, even if life takes you somewhere else.”
— Paulo Jacobsen
“Belém do Pará is culturally very rich due to the mix of influences from traditional communities, such as ribeirinhos, Black and Indigenous peoples. People from all over the world come to Belém to be enchanted and learn from our culture.” – Pablo do Vale, partner at Guá Arquitetura
“COP30 in the Amazon highlights the importance of the region to the world. It is not only about the richness of the forest and biodiversity, but also about the richness of human knowledge and ancestral wisdom. We need to reconnect for a more sustainable future.” – Luis Guedes, partner at Guá Arquitetura
“Tokyo, though a vast metropolis, is made up of countless neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm beyond that of a big city. From modern districts lined with skyscrapers to traditional downtown areas where craftsmen and wholesalers gather, every part of Tokyo tells a different story. Step into a narrow side street, and you’ll find residential lanes and small local shops that reveal the rhythm of everyday life. Exploring the city on foot allows you to discover Tokyo’s many layers — and we hope you’ll also take time to appreciate the architecture that shapes each neighborhood’s distinct atmosphere.”
“Rotterdam is a city in constant reinvention — bound to water, defined by creativity.
Its daring architecture, experimental art, and ever-evolving rhythm make it a place where ideas turn into reality. I love its informality and honesty, the way it balances the pulse of the center with the calm by the river. It’s where innovation meets history, and where life and imagination keep building the future.”
“For PPAA, Mexico City is an endless discovery — a place of contrasts and ingenious solutions, where the everyday becomes extraordinary.”
“Naples is not just the backdrop for EDIT Napoli, it is the reason this project could only be born here. The city is a crossroads of the Mediterranean, generous and unpredictable, where contradictions fuel imagination. Ancient craft traditions coexist with a strong manufacturing industry, a prestigious contemporary art scene, and a vibrant network of collectors and cultural institutions. What makes Naples truly special is its ability to create unexpected connections between people, stories, and places. It’s a city where time feels layered rather than linear, where creativity never follows predictable paths. In a globalized world, Naples nurtures craftsmanship, celebrates individuality, and inspires those who seek something authentic. This is why EDIT Napoli finds here not just a home, but a living source of energy and vision.”
“London has been the backdrop to my life and studio for almost two decades. It’s a city that thrives on diversity and experimentation – and I love that energy. There’s a really interesting layering of time, with past and present meeting in unexpected ways wherever you look; and there’s a global perspective that continually inspires the studio’s work and me personally.”
“By necessity but also by pleasure, we have driven thousands of times along the Boulevard Périphérique, which we consider, no doubt out of provocation but also with conviction, to be the most beautiful avenue in Paris. A true tour of 20th-century architecture! On foot, one of our favorite strolls in the city is to admire the romantic architecture of the arrondissements town halls. We also love the Orgues de Flandre, designed by the architect Marin Schulz van Treeck, with its cantilevered tiled volumes. At the other end of the spectrum, we climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at Place de l’Etoile to take in the sweeping vistas of the great avenue, particularly the one leading to the Bois de Boulogne.”
“Cape Town is more than our home; it’s the lens through which SAOTA was formed and continues to evolve. Set between mountain, ocean and sky, the city’s raw beauty and cultural layers demand architecture that responds with precision, confidence and a strong sense of place.
From coastal cliffs to dense urban sites, Cape Town challenges us to design spaces that balance form and function, restraint and richness, always engaging with their environment. This constant dialogue between built form and landscape defines our approach — responsive, contextual and deeply spatial.”
“I was born here and will probably die here. I have a strong connection with this chaotic, violent, ugly—or rather, very ugly—city, which has forgotten about architects and urban planners and grows on its own, spontaneously and exponentially. And yet, it is absolutely fantastic. I find São Paulo fascinating because of its incredible energy; it’s a place where we learn to see beauty precisely because of its absence. It’s one of my favorite cities. Sometimes, even I can’t believe it when I say that.”
— Marcio Kogan
“Lisbon is a city where the architecture tells stories, the blue sky inspires every day, and the warmth of those who welcome you makes you feel part of it. For me, it’s a place where past and present embrace with authenticity.”
“Melbourne is the only city I’ve ever called home. Its layered character—at once restrained and expressive, historic and evolving—has quietly shaped my sensibilities as both a person and an architect. I find continual inspiration in its laneways, light, and understated elegance.”
“Berlin feels both deeply familiar and endlessly surprising. As someone who grew up in Germany, it’s a place I’ve returned to again and again, not just physically, but creatively. There’s a rawness to it, a sense that anything is possible, which has always fueled my imagination”
– Matthias Hollwich
“Copenhagen is a city of contrasts – world-class yet wonderfully down-to-earth. Here, you can bike from a Michelin-starred meal to a quiet harbor dip in minutes. Though it’s the capital, it still feels like a collection of local neighborhoods, each with its own rhythm. The city’s rich architectural tradition – layered, thoughtful, and deeply human – continues to inspire our daily practice. It’s this relaxed, human scale that makes the city not just livable, but lovable.”
“Turin, a treasure chest of understated Savoyan elegance and a forge of ingenuity, reveals to those who explore it a pioneering spirit that, from technology to culture, has marked the history of Italy, offering unexpected glimpses between urban majesty and the embrace of nature.”
“New York City’s most interesting moments take place in between the buildings, at the corners where you can see distinct neighborhoods transitioning, the mix of old and new, the public parks, the people. That’s what I look for when I move through the city, and it’s what we try to reflect in our work at ODA.”
– Eran Chen
“Come rain or shine, Milan is a constant source of inspiration for me, when I wake and
when I move around the city on foot, by bike, by tram… It’s a kind of mirror that helps me
see things and which sometimes also helps me disconnect. In some way, it’s as if Milan is
a distillation of many different worlds.”
“Milan is a city to discover, rich in architecture, history and style. Its secrets are hidden, and this aspect of the city makes it so interesting and unique.”
“São Paulo is a city made of layers of time, cultures, architectures, and contradictions. It is intense, unequal, loud, and imperfect, and it does not hide its conflicts. Here, architecture is not born from comfort, but from adaptation, urgency, and the diversity of stories that coexist every day. Perhaps that is why São Paulo remains one of the most challenging and at the same time most powerful urban territories to reflect on the present and future of cities.”
– Amanda Ferber, CEO & Founder of Architecture Hunter
“Miami has been my muse since I began my career in architecture – a place where nature, culture, and atmosphere converge with such effortless beauty that architecture becomes not just building, but storytelling. Everything I create here is a love letter to the city that helped shape me.” – Chad Oppenheim
“My connection with Rio goes back to my birth. I grew up and have lived here all my life, and without a doubt, my language as an architect was also shaped by this place: by the vast open spaces that blur the boundaries between the built and the natural, by the sculptural beauty of the hills and forests that frame Rio’s landscape, and by the urban life—often chaotic, but ultimately inescapable. It’s impossible to leave Rio, even if life takes you somewhere else.”
— Paulo Jacobsen
“Belém do Pará is culturally very rich due to the mix of influences from traditional communities, such as ribeirinhos, Black and Indigenous peoples. People from all over the world come to Belém to be enchanted and learn from our culture.” – Pablo do Vale, partner at Guá Arquitetura
“COP30 in the Amazon highlights the importance of the region to the world. It is not only about the richness of the forest and biodiversity, but also about the richness of human knowledge and ancestral wisdom. We need to reconnect for a more sustainable future.” – Luis Guedes, partner at Guá Arquitetura
“For PPAA, Mexico City is an endless discovery — a place of contrasts and ingenious solutions, where the everyday becomes extraordinary.”
“I was born here and will probably die here. I have a strong connection with this chaotic, violent, ugly—or rather, very ugly—city, which has forgotten about architects and urban planners and grows on its own, spontaneously and exponentially. And yet, it is absolutely fantastic. I find São Paulo fascinating because of its incredible energy; it’s a place where we learn to see beauty precisely because of its absence. It’s one of my favorite cities. Sometimes, even I can’t believe it when I say that.”
— Marcio Kogan
“New York City’s most interesting moments take place in between the buildings, at the corners where you can see distinct neighborhoods transitioning, the mix of old and new, the public parks, the people. That’s what I look for when I move through the city, and it’s what we try to reflect in our work at ODA.”
– Eran Chen
“Glasgow is friendly in its own unvarnished way with a mix of elegance and edge, ambition and modesty. Its culture, from music to architecture and food, reflects a city alive with generosity and invention. We enjoy its authenticity: unpretentious yet full of history and always ready to embrace and reward those who approach it with an open mind.”
“We know Porto through years of walking, studying, and working in its streets, from the slopes above the Douro to the civic spaces around Aliados. The city has a long architectural tradition, shaped by precision, material honesty, and thoughtful urbanity, and it is no coincidence that Porto has produced two Pritzker Prize laureates. This heritage guides the way we read context and approach design. The five of us grew up and studied here, and Porto remains the place where we continue to learn how architecture can respond to its surroundings with clarity, intention, and a deep sense of continuity.” – Diogo Brito, Co‑Founder OODA
“Rotterdam is a city in constant reinvention — bound to water, defined by creativity.
Its daring architecture, experimental art, and ever-evolving rhythm make it a place where ideas turn into reality. I love its informality and honesty, the way it balances the pulse of the center with the calm by the river. It’s where innovation meets history, and where life and imagination keep building the future.”
“Naples is not just the backdrop for EDIT Napoli, it is the reason this project could only be born here. The city is a crossroads of the Mediterranean, generous and unpredictable, where contradictions fuel imagination. Ancient craft traditions coexist with a strong manufacturing industry, a prestigious contemporary art scene, and a vibrant network of collectors and cultural institutions. What makes Naples truly special is its ability to create unexpected connections between people, stories, and places. It’s a city where time feels layered rather than linear, where creativity never follows predictable paths. In a globalized world, Naples nurtures craftsmanship, celebrates individuality, and inspires those who seek something authentic. This is why EDIT Napoli finds here not just a home, but a living source of energy and vision.”
“London has been the backdrop to my life and studio for almost two decades. It’s a city that thrives on diversity and experimentation – and I love that energy. There’s a really interesting layering of time, with past and present meeting in unexpected ways wherever you look; and there’s a global perspective that continually inspires the studio’s work and me personally.”
“By necessity but also by pleasure, we have driven thousands of times along the Boulevard Périphérique, which we consider, no doubt out of provocation but also with conviction, to be the most beautiful avenue in Paris. A true tour of 20th-century architecture! On foot, one of our favorite strolls in the city is to admire the romantic architecture of the arrondissements town halls. We also love the Orgues de Flandre, designed by the architect Marin Schulz van Treeck, with its cantilevered tiled volumes. At the other end of the spectrum, we climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at Place de l’Etoile to take in the sweeping vistas of the great avenue, particularly the one leading to the Bois de Boulogne.”
“Lisbon is a city where the architecture tells stories, the blue sky inspires every day, and the warmth of those who welcome you makes you feel part of it. For me, it’s a place where past and present embrace with authenticity.”
“Berlin feels both deeply familiar and endlessly surprising. As someone who grew up in Germany, it’s a place I’ve returned to again and again, not just physically, but creatively. There’s a rawness to it, a sense that anything is possible, which has always fueled my imagination”
– Matthias Hollwich
“Copenhagen is a city of contrasts – world-class yet wonderfully down-to-earth. Here, you can bike from a Michelin-starred meal to a quiet harbor dip in minutes. Though it’s the capital, it still feels like a collection of local neighborhoods, each with its own rhythm. The city’s rich architectural tradition – layered, thoughtful, and deeply human – continues to inspire our daily practice. It’s this relaxed, human scale that makes the city not just livable, but lovable.”
“Turin, a treasure chest of understated Savoyan elegance and a forge of ingenuity, reveals to those who explore it a pioneering spirit that, from technology to culture, has marked the history of Italy, offering unexpected glimpses between urban majesty and the embrace of nature.”
“Come rain or shine, Milan is a constant source of inspiration for me, when I wake and
when I move around the city on foot, by bike, by tram… It’s a kind of mirror that helps me
see things and which sometimes also helps me disconnect. In some way, it’s as if Milan is
a distillation of many different worlds.”
“Milan is a city to discover, rich in architecture, history and style. Its secrets are hidden, and this aspect of the city makes it so interesting and unique.”
“Sydney gives us contrast: raw edges and refined spaces, coastal clarity and urban energy. The studio sits somewhere in between.”
“Melbourne is the only city I’ve ever called home. Its layered character—at once restrained and expressive, historic and evolving—has quietly shaped my sensibilities as both a person and an architect. I find continual inspiration in its laneways, light, and understated elegance.”
“Political, ethical, subversive, ecological, humorous: this is how I see my duty as a creator.” Philippe Starck.Despite more than 10 000 creations – completed or in the making – his global fame and his tireless protean inventiveness, he never forgets the essential. Philippe Starck has a mission and a vision: creation, whatever shape it takes, must make life better for the largest number of people possible. Starck believes this highly poetic, political, rebellious, benevolent, pragmatic and subversive duty must be borne by all and he resumes it with the humor that has accompanied his approach since the earliest days: “No one is forced to be a genius, but everyone has to take part.” This citizen of the world, who considers it his duty to share his ethical and subversive vision of a fairer planet, creates unconventional places and objects whose purpose is to be “good” before being beautiful. His profound comprehension of contemporary mutations, his enthusiasm for imagining new lifestyles, his determination to change the world, his devotion to positive de-growth, his love of ideas, his desire to defend the intelligence of usefulness – and the usefulness of intelligence – have accompanied one iconic creation after the other… From everyday products such as furniture and citrus-squeezers, to revolutionary mega-yachts, hotels and restaurants that aspire to be wondrous, stimulating and intensely vibrant places, Starck never ceases in pushing the boundaries and requirements of contemporary design. From individual windmills, to a smart thermostat, electric bikes, or innovative and ecological wooden prefabricated houses – soon to be followed by solar boats and space habitation modules, his technological miracles are vectors of democratic ecology, focused on action and a respect for the future of both humans and nature. Predicting the phenomena of convergence and dematerialization, Philippe Starck has always devised objects that demand the most from the least. The solutions provided by his dreams are so vital, so essential that he was the first Frenchman to be invited to speak at the legendary TED conferences. Inventor, creator, architect, designer, artistic director, Philippe Starck is all of the above, but above all he is a man of honesty, in the purest tradition of the Renaissance artists.
Collective Architecture is an employee-owned architecture practice with studios in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee. For over 25 years, its team has delivered socially responsible, people-centred architecture across housing, civic, cultural, and community sectors in Scotland and across the UK. Committed to sustainability, Collective Architecture works collaboratively with public and private clients to create inclusive, innovative and low-carbon spaces.
OODA is an international architecture and urban design practice with offices in Portugal and Albania, working across architecture, interiors and urban strategy. Founded in 2010 and based in Porto, the studio—now a horizontal team of over 60 architects—has developed a diverse international portfolio, including residential, hospitality, office, cultural and civic buildings, alongside large-scale urban design and research-driven masterplanning. The practice has earned recognition through international architectural competitions, achieving multiple awards and commissions across Europe and the Middle East. OODA operates with a rigorous conceptual approach and a nuanced understanding of context, emphasising how spaces are experienced and endure over time. Sustainability, technical precision and close collaboration with engineers, artists and local partners shape every project, enabling the studio to deliver comprehensive, contextually responsive designs that engage both local and global perspectives.
This São Paulo City Guide is curated by the Architecture Hunter team. Drawing from a shared perspective shaped by architecture, design, and urban culture, the guide highlights places that define the city’s atmosphere and creative pulse.
Chad Oppenheim founded Oppenheim Architecture in 1999 to design a new kind of sensory, site-specific architecture. Working across scale, typology, and geography, every Oppenheim project is a sensitive contextual response guided by the philosophy that design follows life and form follows feeling.
A graduate of Cornell University and a Fellow of the AIA, Oppenheim has served as lead designer for countless place-making assignments around the world. Working closely with clients to realize and amplify their vision, he is backed by strong technical and project teams in Miami and Basel who execute large and complex projects on any continent.
A traveler and cultural nomad from a young age, Oppenheim uncovers the power of a place to optimize how people live, play, or work in that particular environment. His monumental, timeless architecture enhances lives, realizes a site’s full potential, and protects and celebrates the natural environment. He shapes buildings and places to achieve the optimal balance between creativity and pragmatism, function and experience, construction and aesthetics.
Oppenheim has lectured widely and taught at various architecture schools, including Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and, most recently, Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. He has published two books – Spirit of Place (2018), a monograph about the practice featuring seven award-winning projects, and Lair: Radical Homes and Hideouts of Movie Villains (2019), an academic investigation into the cultural associations of modernist design with villainy in cinema.
Oppenheim’s international design practice has received over 130 industry distinctions, with more than 65 from the AIA, including the AIA’s highest honor, the Silver Medal, as well as a 2018 National Design Award from Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the 2023 American Prize for Architecture from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, and the 2025 Architizer A+ Award for Best Global Firm.
Ellison Studios is a leading Australian design studio based in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 2017, our design aesthetic is modern and playful, with a sense of nostalgia and down-to-earth simplicity that is distinctly Australian.
Jacobsen Arquitetura is an international architecture firm founded in Rio de Janeiro. As both premise and methodology, we believe in the integration between the built environment and the natural context. We do not begin with preconceived forms, but rather explore solutions that emerge from the dialogue between architecture and nature, while also considering the active contribution of our clients’ desires. We seek possibilities through the use of natural materials and the interpretation of concepts such as transparency, lightness, and fluidity, with the goal of creating a contemporary aesthetic language. With projects in more than 20 countries, we maintain offices in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Lisbon.
Luís Guedes and Pablo do Vale are the founding partners of Guá Arquitetura, where they combine their passion for architecture and design with a deep research into their regional roots. Together, they lead the office in creating projects that reflect not only their technical expertise, but also their connection with the culture and traditions of the Amazon. Through this work, the architects reaffirm the firm’s commitment to honoring and valuing the wisdom accumulated over millennia in Amazonian architecture, ensuring that this rich cultural heritage is preserved and celebrated in contemporary creations by Guá Arquitetura.
With an approach that is rooted in craft, materials and locality, our studio is known for its total design of spaces―from architecture, interiors, and furniture under the philosophy of “Honest Design.”
Cosimo Scotucci, Sr. Project Leader at MVRDV – Born in Monterubbiano, Italy, he is an architect with experiences in Italy, Denmark, France and the Netherlands. In his work, he aims at architecture and design focused on people where sustainability is intertwined with quality of living. He has worked extensively on Asian projects, and particularly in the Chinese market. He has his own practice where he focuses on art, architecture and beyond.
Lorenzo Mattozzi, Associate Architect at MVRDV – Born in Venice, Italy, he is an architect with experience in Italy, Denmark, Brazil, and the Netherlands. His work embraces a holistic approach, integrating architecture, structure, and detail into a unified concept. As an Associate Architect at MVRDV, he leads and manages complex projects from conceptual stages through to later phases. Additionally, he frequently lectures and teaches architecture at institutions and universities worldwide.
Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados (PPAA) was founded in 2018 by Pablo Pérez Palacios. The studio is an independent practice dedicated to architecture, art, planning, urban design, and interior design projects. The studio is guided by a philosophy centered on ideas rather than forms, delivering strong, simple solutions that respond thoughtfully to context and transform architecture into a living experience. This approach underscores a commitment to nature and sustainable design, emphasizing a seamless connection between built and open spaces. Our work has been published abroad and recognized by leading architecture awards, such as the Quito Pan-American Biennial, the College of Architects of Mexico City and the Mexican Architects Society (CAM SAM), AN Best of Design Awards by Architect’s Newspaper, Architizer A+ Awards, Best of Year Awards by Interior Design Magazine, Architectural Digest, AZ Awards, and Frame Awards, among others. Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados (PPAA) is an independent practice dedicated to architecture, art, planning, urban design, and interior design projects.
Emilia Petruccelli: A graduate in Electronic Engineering at the La Sapienza University in Rome, Emilia holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the SDA Bocconi School of Management. From 2000 to 2007, she worked as a consultant for Bain&Co, mainly within the automotive and energy sectors. In 2004, Emilia was appointed by the World Bank in Washington D.C. to focus on carbon finance and develop a simulation model for the exploitation of certain scenarios of the Kyoto Protocol. In 2008, she founded MIA, a design gallery based in Rome and in Saint Tropez, France. Managing product selection and commercial development for customers, Emilia creates an innovative sales format that combines niche designers, artisans, and quality vintage products. She has also developed MIA’s online distribution, sales, and interior design channels. EDIT Napoli, an innovative design fair, MADE IN EDIT and its Residency program are her latest creations, developed in collaboration with the curator Domitilla Dardi to enhance the artistic and artisan particularities of the Campania region.
Domitilla Dardi: Historian and independent curator of design. Since 2019, she has been co-founder and curator of the authorial design fair EDIT Napoli. She was curator for design at the MAXXI museum in Rome from 2007 to 2023. In 2016 and 2017 she curated the Object section of Miart, International Contemporary Art Fair in Milan. A lecturer in three-year and master’s courses at the IED in Rome since 2007, she has been teaching from 2003 to 2007 at the Faculty of Architecture in Ascoli Piceno, as well as a visiting professor at several institutions, including the Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, the Abadir Academy in Catania, and the MADE Program in Syracuse. She is currently curator for Design at Arte Sella and does copywriting for many industry companies. She writes for several journals, is a member of the scientific committee and contributor to Interni, and she is the author of more than thirty monographs and essays, including the bestseller Manuale di Storia del Design (Silvana editoriale, 2019); her latest books are Playgrounding (Corraini, 2022), Herbaria (24Ore Cultura, 2022) and Bestiaria (24Ore Cultura, 2023) and Mineralia (2024).
Benjamin Hubert is an award-winning British design entrepreneur, and founder of creative agency, LAYER. LAYER is focused on experience-driven design for both the physical and digital worlds. Led by Benjamin and a growing creative team, the studio partners with forward-thinking brands – including Nike, Google, Bang and Olufsen, Samsung and Braun – to create products that will help define the way we live, work and communicate in the future, from AI to smart wearables and furniture systems, to the next generation of media devices and mobile communication tools.
Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost and Dominique Perrault are committed players in contemporary design, and have been working together since 1989, when interior architect and designer Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost joined the agency founded by architect Dominique Perrault in 1981, just as the Bibliothèque nationale de France was getting underway. Together, they have developed an original architectural style, marked by concepts applied to their projects such as the “groundscape”, which refers to the architecture of the basement, and by technical innovation, notably being the first to use metal mesh in architecture. Over more than three decades, their collaboration has resulted in the creation of a number of emblematic buildings, including the major extension to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg (2019), the Ewha Women’s University in South Korea (2008), the DC Tower in Austria (2014), the redevelopment of the Pavillon Dufour at the Château de Versailles (2016) and the Villejuif-Gustave Roussy metro station (2025), buildings for which they have designed lighting and furniture. Together, they apply their architectural universe to furniture, objects and lighting, where radical design is always at the service of functionality. In 2018, Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost and Dominique Perrault acquired the Domaine de Frapotel, designed by architect Jean Dubuisson, whose radical simplicity echoes their practice, inspired by minimal and land art. Since then, they have been working to restore it and bring back its original spirit, so that the general public can discover the power of modern architecture.
SAOTA, a leading firm of architects, is driven by the dynamic combination of Stefan Antoni, Philip Olmesdahl, Greg Truen, Phillippe Fouché, Mark Bullivant, Roxanne Kaye, Logen Gordon, Dani Reimers and Dominik George who share a potent vision easily distinguished in their practices. This, paired with both an innovative and dedicated approach to the design, documentation and execution of projects globally, has seen SAOTA become an internationally sought-after brand. SAOTA has a global footprint with projects on six continents. We have a clear understanding of the place of design in the world and how to deliver architectural projects in diverse markets. This success is driven by a design philosophy that connects function and form, and the pursuit of true architectural design to create appropriate solutions. The focus on achieving maximum value has also led to global invitations to design, build and create highly prestigious projects. The philosophy of practice is embodied in the spirit of enquiry that flourishes amongst its staff. This spirit not only guides the firm, but enables it to maintain its position as definitive designers in a highly competitive and fast-changing industry. Increased exposure to the global marketplace has seen SAOTA flourish as cities and contexts allow for infinite inspiration which can be seen radiating from the approach to design. SAOTA is also focused on using the most current computer technology in its design process, both to understand the design and to communicate the design to our clients. To this end we are world leaders in the use of Revit and have also developed virtual reality tools for use in our process. We strive to promote a service marked by excellence both in our buildings and in addressing the needs of our clients, with the focus on high standards & elegance…
Studio MK27 was founded by Marcio Kogan in the late 1970s in the chaotic city of São Paulo and became a collaborative studio in the 2000s with the inclusion of Diana Radomysler, Suzana Glogowski, Renata Furlanetto, and Mariana Simas as directors. With a team of 60 collaborators, the office has won over 250 awards worldwide, expanded its global presence, and completed projects across four continents. Studio MK27’s architectural language stems from a deep appreciation of the Brazilian modernist legacy, evolving into contemporary practice with precise geometry, meticulous attention to detail, and a rich interplay of textures. Amid diverse projects, Studio MK27 seeks opportunities to create a positive impact, promoting the relevance of design and applying the most sustainable approaches to architecture. From the details of a single armchair to the design of an entire community, we take our fun very seriously.
Graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto (FAUP) in 2008. Under the Erasmus program, completed part of his bachelor degree at Facoltá di Architettura Civile di Milano Bicocca, Politecnico di Milano in Italy. In 2010, concludes in FAUP the Masters. Completed the Advanced Management Program, at NOVA School of Business and Economics in 2011. Participated in the 2010 Architecture Triennial, in the competition “A House in Luanda: Patio and Pavilion”. The competition jury was composed by the architects Álvaro Siza Vieira, Barry Bergdoll, João Luís Carrilho da Graça, Fernando Mello Franco and Ângela Mingas, who assigned them the 2nd place among an universe of 599 participants. Participated in various architectural projects, namely: “Fragrant House” (Travessa do Patrocínio, Lisboa) – Architizer Award winning project for the Building of the Year in 2012 and finalist in Archdaily site for Build- ing of the Year 2012 – in partnership with the Architects Luis Rebelo de Andrade; and “Tree Snake House” (Parque de Pedras Salgadas) in partnership also with the architect Luís Rebelo de Andrade – Archdaily prize winner – Building of the Year 2014, Travel+Leisure Design Awards winner 2014 and nominated for Architizer A+ awards 2014. In 2013 opened the multidisciplinary studio SUBVERT. He also collaborates with architect Luis Rebelo de Andrade at RA\\ Studio in several projects and is responsible for the communication and strategy of RA\\ Studio.
“Adam Kane Architects comprises a small and passionate team of architects and designers who have come together with a common goal – to make beautiful homes. Our process is supported by equally engaged craftspeople and trades, and we attribute our successful outcomes to working alongside similar minded clients. We focus on the detail and the restrained in proposing spaces that will last the tests of time. Each project and site present their own unique challenges, which we view as opportunities yet to be mastered. We draw on our curious nature to sculpt volumes that allow light, materiality and form to enhance one another.”
Matthias Hollwich is the founder of HWKN, a NY-based collective of architects, sculptors, social strategists and innovators dedicated to using architecture to shape a better world. Matthias was born and raised in Germany where he studied architecture and brings a dual perspective to all the firmʼs designs, combining German precision with American aspiration. He was honored in Fast Companyʼs ranking of the worldʼs Top 10 Most Innovative Architects and in Business Insiderʼs list of Top Business Visionaries. Matthias Hollwich published his first book UmBauhaus- Updating Modernism in collaboration with Rainer Weisbach and the Bauhaus Foundation in 2006. His latest book, New Aging: Live Smarter Now to Live Better Forever, suggests a new way to think about aging that could fundamentally change the way we design for it. Matthias lectures widely on the topics of architecture, sustainability, aging and innovation at world-renowned conferences, including TED, PICNIC, Stelka, and the Conscious City conference. Most recently, he spoke about AI and Architectural Design at Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024, and SXSW 2025
Norm Architects is a multidisciplinary studio utilising design to enrich daily life. Founded in 2008, their practice works from the belief that architecture, interior and product design can and should re-sensualize the modern human lifestyle. Projects of all scales are guided by the essential and universal needs of body and mind to arrive at outcomes that feel as good as they look and that age gracefully. Through natural materials, simple geometries and thoughtfully composed atmospheres, they aim to nurture all five human senses, support the human form and provide enduring functionality. Their Copenhagen-based studio merges Scandinavian traditions with an international perspective and cultural curiosity to deliver site-specific spaces and objects defined by exceptional craft, beauty and longevity.
Established in Milan in 1997 by Turin-born architects and designers Ico Migliore and Mara Servetto, Migliore+Servetto studio has garnered international acclaim for its innovative design across over 800 projects in 21 countries. Their work has been recognized with numerous awards, including three prestigious Compasso d’Oro and 13 Red Dot Design Awards. Notable iconic projects include the Chopin Museum in Warsaw and the ADI Design Museum in Milan and memorable installations like the vibrant tricolour light rings adorning Turin’s Mole Antonelliana for the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, as well as the captivating α-cromactive luminous installation within the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper, also in Turin. Pioneers in urban design, they received accolades for the Blue Line Park in Busan, South Korea, and the urban design for the Torino 2006 Olympics (in collaboration with Italo Lupi). As professors at esteemed institutions like Politecnico Milano and Joshibi Tokyo, they have also developed the influential “Museum Seed” theory, redefining the social impact of cultural space design within urban environments.
Since establishing ODA in 2007, Eran Chen AIA has earned a reputation for mold-breaking designs that will deliver a better urban future. Having completed over 60 buildings since founding the firm, he has become one of the most prolific architects in New York. Chen’s work has been widely published around the world and recognized by the AIA, Fast Company, Forbes and others. His recent projects include the renovation of the former Postkantoor in Rotterdam, the conversion of a defunct parking garage into a public park and class A office building in Buenos Aires, and several Four Seasons hotels around the globe. ODA has published multiple books highlighting their work, including Unboxing New York, and an eponymous monograph published by Rizzoli in 2024
Piero Lissoni is an architect, art director and designer and is recognized as one of the masters of contemporary design. He possesses an almost forty-year history in the development of projects the world over in the fields of architecture, landscape, interior, product and graphic design. He is also art director for Alpi, Boffi, Living Divani, Lualdi, Porro and Sanlorenzo. Some of the most important architecture and interior projects deserving of mention include the AP House Milan for Audemars Piguet (2024), the new headquarters of Banca Ifis in Rome (2024), the Dorothea Hotel Autograph Collection for Marriott International in Budapest (2023), the AKA hotels in New York and Alexandria, Virginia (2023), the design of The Haven, an exclusive area inside the NCL Norwegian Prima cruise ship (2022), the Shangri-La Shougang Park in Beijing (2021) realized for the 2022 winter Olympics, The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach (2020), the Grand Park Hotel in Rovinj, Croatia (2019), the restyling of the historic Camparino in Galleria Bar in Milan (2019), The Middle House for the Swire Hotels Group in Shanghai (2018), the residential projects One Paraiso and Grand Paraiso in Miami (2018), The Oberoi Al Zorah Beach Resort Ajman in the UAE (2017), the interiors of a series of yachts for Sanlorenzo (2017-2020), the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam (2012), the renovation of the historic Teatro Nazionale in Milan (2009), in addition to the corporate headquarters for companies such as Boffi, Glas Italia, Fantini, Living Divani and the shipyards of Sanlorenzo in La Spezia and Ameglia. Piero Lissoni has received a series of international awards, including the Compasso d’Oro Career Award, two Compasso d’Oro ADI, the Good Design Award and the Red Dot Award.
Mario Cucinella graduated in Architecture at the University of Genoa in 1986. In 1992, in Paris, he founded Mario Cucinella Architects, an architecture firm now based in Bologna and Milan. In 2015 he founded SOS – School of Sustainability, a postgraduate program focused on sustainable architecture. The importance of his work and continued commitment as an architect and educator on environmental and social issues have been recognized with the International Fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects (2016) and with the Honorary Fellowship of the American Institute of Architects (2017). In 2018, he was curator of the Italian Pavilion de La Biennale di Venezia, with the exhibition “Arcipelago Italia”. On 20 June 2024, MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects received the ADI Compasso d’Oro Award for the ‘Museo d’Arte Fondazione Luigi Rovati’ project. He is the author of many publications.
This São Paulo City Guide is curated by the Architecture Hunter team. Drawing from a shared perspective shaped by architecture, design, and urban culture, the guide highlights places that define the city’s atmosphere and creative pulse.
Chad Oppenheim founded Oppenheim Architecture in 1999 to design a new kind of sensory, site-specific architecture. Working across scale, typology, and geography, every Oppenheim project is a sensitive contextual response guided by the philosophy that design follows life and form follows feeling.
A graduate of Cornell University and a Fellow of the AIA, Oppenheim has served as lead designer for countless place-making assignments around the world. Working closely with clients to realize and amplify their vision, he is backed by strong technical and project teams in Miami and Basel who execute large and complex projects on any continent.
A traveler and cultural nomad from a young age, Oppenheim uncovers the power of a place to optimize how people live, play, or work in that particular environment. His monumental, timeless architecture enhances lives, realizes a site’s full potential, and protects and celebrates the natural environment. He shapes buildings and places to achieve the optimal balance between creativity and pragmatism, function and experience, construction and aesthetics.
Oppenheim has lectured widely and taught at various architecture schools, including Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and, most recently, Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. He has published two books – Spirit of Place (2018), a monograph about the practice featuring seven award-winning projects, and Lair: Radical Homes and Hideouts of Movie Villains (2019), an academic investigation into the cultural associations of modernist design with villainy in cinema.
Oppenheim’s international design practice has received over 130 industry distinctions, with more than 65 from the AIA, including the AIA’s highest honor, the Silver Medal, as well as a 2018 National Design Award from Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the 2023 American Prize for Architecture from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, and the 2025 Architizer A+ Award for Best Global Firm.
Jacobsen Arquitetura is an international architecture firm founded in Rio de Janeiro. As both premise and methodology, we believe in the integration between the built environment and the natural context. We do not begin with preconceived forms, but rather explore solutions that emerge from the dialogue between architecture and nature, while also considering the active contribution of our clients’ desires. We seek possibilities through the use of natural materials and the interpretation of concepts such as transparency, lightness, and fluidity, with the goal of creating a contemporary aesthetic language. With projects in more than 20 countries, we maintain offices in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Lisbon.
Luís Guedes and Pablo do Vale are the founding partners of Guá Arquitetura, where they combine their passion for architecture and design with a deep research into their regional roots. Together, they lead the office in creating projects that reflect not only their technical expertise, but also their connection with the culture and traditions of the Amazon. Through this work, the architects reaffirm the firm’s commitment to honoring and valuing the wisdom accumulated over millennia in Amazonian architecture, ensuring that this rich cultural heritage is preserved and celebrated in contemporary creations by Guá Arquitetura.
Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados (PPAA) was founded in 2018 by Pablo Pérez Palacios. The studio is an independent practice dedicated to architecture, art, planning, urban design, and interior design projects. The studio is guided by a philosophy centered on ideas rather than forms, delivering strong, simple solutions that respond thoughtfully to context and transform architecture into a living experience. This approach underscores a commitment to nature and sustainable design, emphasizing a seamless connection between built and open spaces. Our work has been published abroad and recognized by leading architecture awards, such as the Quito Pan-American Biennial, the College of Architects of Mexico City and the Mexican Architects Society (CAM SAM), AN Best of Design Awards by Architect’s Newspaper, Architizer A+ Awards, Best of Year Awards by Interior Design Magazine, Architectural Digest, AZ Awards, and Frame Awards, among others. Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados (PPAA) is an independent practice dedicated to architecture, art, planning, urban design, and interior design projects.
Studio MK27 was founded by Marcio Kogan in the late 1970s in the chaotic city of São Paulo and became a collaborative studio in the 2000s with the inclusion of Diana Radomysler, Suzana Glogowski, Renata Furlanetto, and Mariana Simas as directors. With a team of 60 collaborators, the office has won over 250 awards worldwide, expanded its global presence, and completed projects across four continents. Studio MK27’s architectural language stems from a deep appreciation of the Brazilian modernist legacy, evolving into contemporary practice with precise geometry, meticulous attention to detail, and a rich interplay of textures. Amid diverse projects, Studio MK27 seeks opportunities to create a positive impact, promoting the relevance of design and applying the most sustainable approaches to architecture. From the details of a single armchair to the design of an entire community, we take our fun very seriously.
Since establishing ODA in 2007, Eran Chen AIA has earned a reputation for mold-breaking designs that will deliver a better urban future. Having completed over 60 buildings since founding the firm, he has become one of the most prolific architects in New York. Chen’s work has been widely published around the world and recognized by the AIA, Fast Company, Forbes and others. His recent projects include the renovation of the former Postkantoor in Rotterdam, the conversion of a defunct parking garage into a public park and class A office building in Buenos Aires, and several Four Seasons hotels around the globe. ODA has published multiple books highlighting their work, including Unboxing New York, and an eponymous monograph published by Rizzoli in 2024
“Political, ethical, subversive, ecological, humorous: this is how I see my duty as a creator.” Philippe Starck.Despite more than 10 000 creations – completed or in the making – his global fame and his tireless protean inventiveness, he never forgets the essential. Philippe Starck has a mission and a vision: creation, whatever shape it takes, must make life better for the largest number of people possible. Starck believes this highly poetic, political, rebellious, benevolent, pragmatic and subversive duty must be borne by all and he resumes it with the humor that has accompanied his approach since the earliest days: “No one is forced to be a genius, but everyone has to take part.” This citizen of the world, who considers it his duty to share his ethical and subversive vision of a fairer planet, creates unconventional places and objects whose purpose is to be “good” before being beautiful. His profound comprehension of contemporary mutations, his enthusiasm for imagining new lifestyles, his determination to change the world, his devotion to positive de-growth, his love of ideas, his desire to defend the intelligence of usefulness – and the usefulness of intelligence – have accompanied one iconic creation after the other… From everyday products such as furniture and citrus-squeezers, to revolutionary mega-yachts, hotels and restaurants that aspire to be wondrous, stimulating and intensely vibrant places, Starck never ceases in pushing the boundaries and requirements of contemporary design. From individual windmills, to a smart thermostat, electric bikes, or innovative and ecological wooden prefabricated houses – soon to be followed by solar boats and space habitation modules, his technological miracles are vectors of democratic ecology, focused on action and a respect for the future of both humans and nature. Predicting the phenomena of convergence and dematerialization, Philippe Starck has always devised objects that demand the most from the least. The solutions provided by his dreams are so vital, so essential that he was the first Frenchman to be invited to speak at the legendary TED conferences. Inventor, creator, architect, designer, artistic director, Philippe Starck is all of the above, but above all he is a man of honesty, in the purest tradition of the Renaissance artists.
Collective Architecture is an employee-owned architecture practice with studios in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee. For over 25 years, its team has delivered socially responsible, people-centred architecture across housing, civic, cultural, and community sectors in Scotland and across the UK. Committed to sustainability, Collective Architecture works collaboratively with public and private clients to create inclusive, innovative and low-carbon spaces.
OODA is an international architecture and urban design practice with offices in Portugal and Albania, working across architecture, interiors and urban strategy. Founded in 2010 and based in Porto, the studio—now a horizontal team of over 60 architects—has developed a diverse international portfolio, including residential, hospitality, office, cultural and civic buildings, alongside large-scale urban design and research-driven masterplanning. The practice has earned recognition through international architectural competitions, achieving multiple awards and commissions across Europe and the Middle East. OODA operates with a rigorous conceptual approach and a nuanced understanding of context, emphasising how spaces are experienced and endure over time. Sustainability, technical precision and close collaboration with engineers, artists and local partners shape every project, enabling the studio to deliver comprehensive, contextually responsive designs that engage both local and global perspectives.
Cosimo Scotucci, Sr. Project Leader at MVRDV – Born in Monterubbiano, Italy, he is an architect with experiences in Italy, Denmark, France and the Netherlands. In his work, he aims at architecture and design focused on people where sustainability is intertwined with quality of living. He has worked extensively on Asian projects, and particularly in the Chinese market. He has his own practice where he focuses on art, architecture and beyond.
Lorenzo Mattozzi, Associate Architect at MVRDV – Born in Venice, Italy, he is an architect with experience in Italy, Denmark, Brazil, and the Netherlands. His work embraces a holistic approach, integrating architecture, structure, and detail into a unified concept. As an Associate Architect at MVRDV, he leads and manages complex projects from conceptual stages through to later phases. Additionally, he frequently lectures and teaches architecture at institutions and universities worldwide.
Emilia Petruccelli: A graduate in Electronic Engineering at the La Sapienza University in Rome, Emilia holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the SDA Bocconi School of Management. From 2000 to 2007, she worked as a consultant for Bain&Co, mainly within the automotive and energy sectors. In 2004, Emilia was appointed by the World Bank in Washington D.C. to focus on carbon finance and develop a simulation model for the exploitation of certain scenarios of the Kyoto Protocol. In 2008, she founded MIA, a design gallery based in Rome and in Saint Tropez, France. Managing product selection and commercial development for customers, Emilia creates an innovative sales format that combines niche designers, artisans, and quality vintage products. She has also developed MIA’s online distribution, sales, and interior design channels. EDIT Napoli, an innovative design fair, MADE IN EDIT and its Residency program are her latest creations, developed in collaboration with the curator Domitilla Dardi to enhance the artistic and artisan particularities of the Campania region.
Domitilla Dardi: Historian and independent curator of design. Since 2019, she has been co-founder and curator of the authorial design fair EDIT Napoli. She was curator for design at the MAXXI museum in Rome from 2007 to 2023. In 2016 and 2017 she curated the Object section of Miart, International Contemporary Art Fair in Milan. A lecturer in three-year and master’s courses at the IED in Rome since 2007, she has been teaching from 2003 to 2007 at the Faculty of Architecture in Ascoli Piceno, as well as a visiting professor at several institutions, including the Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, the Abadir Academy in Catania, and the MADE Program in Syracuse. She is currently curator for Design at Arte Sella and does copywriting for many industry companies. She writes for several journals, is a member of the scientific committee and contributor to Interni, and she is the author of more than thirty monographs and essays, including the bestseller Manuale di Storia del Design (Silvana editoriale, 2019); her latest books are Playgrounding (Corraini, 2022), Herbaria (24Ore Cultura, 2022) and Bestiaria (24Ore Cultura, 2023) and Mineralia (2024).
Benjamin Hubert is an award-winning British design entrepreneur, and founder of creative agency, LAYER. LAYER is focused on experience-driven design for both the physical and digital worlds. Led by Benjamin and a growing creative team, the studio partners with forward-thinking brands – including Nike, Google, Bang and Olufsen, Samsung and Braun – to create products that will help define the way we live, work and communicate in the future, from AI to smart wearables and furniture systems, to the next generation of media devices and mobile communication tools.
Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost and Dominique Perrault are committed players in contemporary design, and have been working together since 1989, when interior architect and designer Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost joined the agency founded by architect Dominique Perrault in 1981, just as the Bibliothèque nationale de France was getting underway. Together, they have developed an original architectural style, marked by concepts applied to their projects such as the “groundscape”, which refers to the architecture of the basement, and by technical innovation, notably being the first to use metal mesh in architecture. Over more than three decades, their collaboration has resulted in the creation of a number of emblematic buildings, including the major extension to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg (2019), the Ewha Women’s University in South Korea (2008), the DC Tower in Austria (2014), the redevelopment of the Pavillon Dufour at the Château de Versailles (2016) and the Villejuif-Gustave Roussy metro station (2025), buildings for which they have designed lighting and furniture. Together, they apply their architectural universe to furniture, objects and lighting, where radical design is always at the service of functionality. In 2018, Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost and Dominique Perrault acquired the Domaine de Frapotel, designed by architect Jean Dubuisson, whose radical simplicity echoes their practice, inspired by minimal and land art. Since then, they have been working to restore it and bring back its original spirit, so that the general public can discover the power of modern architecture.
Graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto (FAUP) in 2008. Under the Erasmus program, completed part of his bachelor degree at Facoltá di Architettura Civile di Milano Bicocca, Politecnico di Milano in Italy. In 2010, concludes in FAUP the Masters. Completed the Advanced Management Program, at NOVA School of Business and Economics in 2011. Participated in the 2010 Architecture Triennial, in the competition “A House in Luanda: Patio and Pavilion”. The competition jury was composed by the architects Álvaro Siza Vieira, Barry Bergdoll, João Luís Carrilho da Graça, Fernando Mello Franco and Ângela Mingas, who assigned them the 2nd place among an universe of 599 participants. Participated in various architectural projects, namely: “Fragrant House” (Travessa do Patrocínio, Lisboa) – Architizer Award winning project for the Building of the Year in 2012 and finalist in Archdaily site for Build- ing of the Year 2012 – in partnership with the Architects Luis Rebelo de Andrade; and “Tree Snake House” (Parque de Pedras Salgadas) in partnership also with the architect Luís Rebelo de Andrade – Archdaily prize winner – Building of the Year 2014, Travel+Leisure Design Awards winner 2014 and nominated for Architizer A+ awards 2014. In 2013 opened the multidisciplinary studio SUBVERT. He also collaborates with architect Luis Rebelo de Andrade at RA\\ Studio in several projects and is responsible for the communication and strategy of RA\\ Studio.
Matthias Hollwich is the founder of HWKN, a NY-based collective of architects, sculptors, social strategists and innovators dedicated to using architecture to shape a better world. Matthias was born and raised in Germany where he studied architecture and brings a dual perspective to all the firmʼs designs, combining German precision with American aspiration. He was honored in Fast Companyʼs ranking of the worldʼs Top 10 Most Innovative Architects and in Business Insiderʼs list of Top Business Visionaries. Matthias Hollwich published his first book UmBauhaus- Updating Modernism in collaboration with Rainer Weisbach and the Bauhaus Foundation in 2006. His latest book, New Aging: Live Smarter Now to Live Better Forever, suggests a new way to think about aging that could fundamentally change the way we design for it. Matthias lectures widely on the topics of architecture, sustainability, aging and innovation at world-renowned conferences, including TED, PICNIC, Stelka, and the Conscious City conference. Most recently, he spoke about AI and Architectural Design at Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024, and SXSW 2025
Norm Architects is a multidisciplinary studio utilising design to enrich daily life. Founded in 2008, their practice works from the belief that architecture, interior and product design can and should re-sensualize the modern human lifestyle. Projects of all scales are guided by the essential and universal needs of body and mind to arrive at outcomes that feel as good as they look and that age gracefully. Through natural materials, simple geometries and thoughtfully composed atmospheres, they aim to nurture all five human senses, support the human form and provide enduring functionality. Their Copenhagen-based studio merges Scandinavian traditions with an international perspective and cultural curiosity to deliver site-specific spaces and objects defined by exceptional craft, beauty and longevity.
Established in Milan in 1997 by Turin-born architects and designers Ico Migliore and Mara Servetto, Migliore+Servetto studio has garnered international acclaim for its innovative design across over 800 projects in 21 countries. Their work has been recognized with numerous awards, including three prestigious Compasso d’Oro and 13 Red Dot Design Awards. Notable iconic projects include the Chopin Museum in Warsaw and the ADI Design Museum in Milan and memorable installations like the vibrant tricolour light rings adorning Turin’s Mole Antonelliana for the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, as well as the captivating α-cromactive luminous installation within the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper, also in Turin. Pioneers in urban design, they received accolades for the Blue Line Park in Busan, South Korea, and the urban design for the Torino 2006 Olympics (in collaboration with Italo Lupi). As professors at esteemed institutions like Politecnico Milano and Joshibi Tokyo, they have also developed the influential “Museum Seed” theory, redefining the social impact of cultural space design within urban environments.
Piero Lissoni is an architect, art director and designer and is recognized as one of the masters of contemporary design. He possesses an almost forty-year history in the development of projects the world over in the fields of architecture, landscape, interior, product and graphic design. He is also art director for Alpi, Boffi, Living Divani, Lualdi, Porro and Sanlorenzo. Some of the most important architecture and interior projects deserving of mention include the AP House Milan for Audemars Piguet (2024), the new headquarters of Banca Ifis in Rome (2024), the Dorothea Hotel Autograph Collection for Marriott International in Budapest (2023), the AKA hotels in New York and Alexandria, Virginia (2023), the design of The Haven, an exclusive area inside the NCL Norwegian Prima cruise ship (2022), the Shangri-La Shougang Park in Beijing (2021) realized for the 2022 winter Olympics, The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach (2020), the Grand Park Hotel in Rovinj, Croatia (2019), the restyling of the historic Camparino in Galleria Bar in Milan (2019), The Middle House for the Swire Hotels Group in Shanghai (2018), the residential projects One Paraiso and Grand Paraiso in Miami (2018), The Oberoi Al Zorah Beach Resort Ajman in the UAE (2017), the interiors of a series of yachts for Sanlorenzo (2017-2020), the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam (2012), the renovation of the historic Teatro Nazionale in Milan (2009), in addition to the corporate headquarters for companies such as Boffi, Glas Italia, Fantini, Living Divani and the shipyards of Sanlorenzo in La Spezia and Ameglia. Piero Lissoni has received a series of international awards, including the Compasso d’Oro Career Award, two Compasso d’Oro ADI, the Good Design Award and the Red Dot Award.
Mario Cucinella graduated in Architecture at the University of Genoa in 1986. In 1992, in Paris, he founded Mario Cucinella Architects, an architecture firm now based in Bologna and Milan. In 2015 he founded SOS – School of Sustainability, a postgraduate program focused on sustainable architecture. The importance of his work and continued commitment as an architect and educator on environmental and social issues have been recognized with the International Fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects (2016) and with the Honorary Fellowship of the American Institute of Architects (2017). In 2018, he was curator of the Italian Pavilion de La Biennale di Venezia, with the exhibition “Arcipelago Italia”. On 20 June 2024, MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects received the ADI Compasso d’Oro Award for the ‘Museo d’Arte Fondazione Luigi Rovati’ project. He is the author of many publications.
Ellison Studios is a leading Australian design studio based in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 2017, our design aesthetic is modern and playful, with a sense of nostalgia and down-to-earth simplicity that is distinctly Australian.
“Adam Kane Architects comprises a small and passionate team of architects and designers who have come together with a common goal – to make beautiful homes. Our process is supported by equally engaged craftspeople and trades, and we attribute our successful outcomes to working alongside similar minded clients. We focus on the detail and the restrained in proposing spaces that will last the tests of time. Each project and site present their own unique challenges, which we view as opportunities yet to be mastered. We draw on our curious nature to sculpt volumes that allow light, materiality and form to enhance one another.”
SAOTA, a leading firm of architects, is driven by the dynamic combination of Stefan Antoni, Philip Olmesdahl, Greg Truen, Phillippe Fouché, Mark Bullivant, Roxanne Kaye, Logen Gordon, Dani Reimers and Dominik George who share a potent vision easily distinguished in their practices. This, paired with both an innovative and dedicated approach to the design, documentation and execution of projects globally, has seen SAOTA become an internationally sought-after brand. SAOTA has a global footprint with projects on six continents. We have a clear understanding of the place of design in the world and how to deliver architectural projects in diverse markets. This success is driven by a design philosophy that connects function and form, and the pursuit of true architectural design to create appropriate solutions. The focus on achieving maximum value has also led to global invitations to design, build and create highly prestigious projects. The philosophy of practice is embodied in the spirit of enquiry that flourishes amongst its staff. This spirit not only guides the firm, but enables it to maintain its position as definitive designers in a highly competitive and fast-changing industry. Increased exposure to the global marketplace has seen SAOTA flourish as cities and contexts allow for infinite inspiration which can be seen radiating from the approach to design. SAOTA is also focused on using the most current computer technology in its design process, both to understand the design and to communicate the design to our clients. To this end we are world leaders in the use of Revit and have also developed virtual reality tools for use in our process. We strive to promote a service marked by excellence both in our buildings and in addressing the needs of our clients, with the focus on high standards & elegance…
With an approach that is rooted in craft, materials and locality, our studio is known for its total design of spaces―from architecture, interiors, and furniture under the philosophy of “Honest Design.”
