A’ Design Award & Competition Winners 2026

The Netherlands Pavilion is inspired by the nation’s historic shift from resisting water to embracing it as an ally in clean energy, climate adaptation, and sustainable living. This transformation forms the basis of a narrative that shows how innovation and collective action can shape a better future. At its heart is the concept of Common Ground, a mindset forged through centuries of Dutch water management. This spirit drives the design, seamlessly uniting both interior and exterior.

Drawing inspiration from the corporate core philosophy of connecting everything, the project employs an interlocking, staggered layout that symbolizes both close collaboration among internal teams and deep integration between the company and the city. The facade features fluid horizontal lines that abstractly evoke the flow of information, echoing the essence of the telecommunications industry. Paired with transparent glass curtain walls, it creates a futuristic, high-tech visual identity.

The design draws inspiration from the name of the city, Gwangyang, which means sunlight. Sweeping, curved surfaces reflect and refract light throughout the day, making the building a dynamic presence. The fluid geometry of the steel expresses both its weight and surprising adaptability, turning strength and flexibility into sculptural yet purposeful architecture.

This project began as a challenge to overcome strict architectural limitations. As a guesthouse welcoming international visitors, the low ceilings and confined atmosphere posed a design dilemma. By embracing simplicity and using dynamic materials, I aimed to transform the space – creating a sense of openness, elegance, and vitality despite its physical constraints.

The design begins with the traditional maritime faiths of Asia. Located in Donggang, the Pingtung King Boat Museum is Taiwan’s first cultural center for the King Boat Ceremony. Inspired by the triennial ritual, the architecture transforms spiritual and oceanic imagery into a vessel of history and faith, linking local identity with future vision. Embracing the idea that ‘life is culture, and culture is life,’ the museum serves as a living space that bridges religion and daily life, sparking cultural renewal and community vitality.

When a building is introduced to a site, the architect is responsible for considering the space’s original function and its significance to users, the community, and the city. Designing in a highly frequented public green space calls for the building to enter the site with a humble presence, preserving as much of the original function as possible while creating new moments of interaction for both people and the urban environment.

Rather than following a single stylistic direction, the project embraces a deliberate mix of cultural references and design languages. What might initially appear as mismatched elements, noble materials, bold colors, soft curves, and graphic accents are carefully composed to create a specific atmosphere. It is precisely this controlled tension that defines the interior’s character. A warm, elegant base built from American walnut and stone is intentionally disrupted by playful gestures.

The Ripple reimagines hospice as an urban civic sanctuary structured by a concentric ripple geometry generated from a single water court. Architecture, structure, circulation, and environmental systems align within one continuous spatial logic, integrating hybrid timber construction, passive ventilation, and water reuse. The design transforms end-of-life care into a collective, sensory experience embedded within the life of the city.

This project seeks to create a home where one can live harmoniously with nature, even in densely populated cities. Inspired by traditional Japanese homes, the architect redefines modern living through a deep connection to the sky. At the heart of the design is a large central courtyard that connects every room and creates a unified space. No matter where one is, the sky is ever-present, offering a sense of being embraced by the open air.

Nesting Plan VII—Formosan Wild Boar is an artwork that reflects Forest Park’s unique ecological characteristics in Hualien. It honors the indigenous Formosan Wild Boar species and explores its architectural capabilities. The piece showcases the boar’s nesting instincts, such as using hay and branches to construct nests while keeping their snouts facing the entrance to remain alert. Additionally, the work integrates native wood and bamboo, harmonizing with the surrounding forest environment.