Architizer's Vision Awards spotlights radical architectural concepts and compelling visual storytelling — from renderings and drawings, to photos and videos. The Final Entry deadline is June 26th. Start your submission today.
The tools architects use have always influenced the way architecture is imagined, developed and communicated. From established industry platforms that transformed drafting, BIM and visualization workflows to a new generation of AI-powered tools redefining ideation and creative experimentation, software continues to shape not only how architects work, but also what kinds of ideas can be explored in the first place.
That evolution makes digital innovation especially relevant to Architizer’s Vision Awards, a program dedicated to celebrating bold concepts, experimental thinking and the future of architecture. As emerging technologies increasingly expand the possibilities of representation, storytelling and design development, the people building and advancing those tools are playing a growing role in shaping the industry itself.
This year’s Vision Awards jury reflects that shift. Bringing together leaders from some of architecture’s most influential software companies, digital platforms and AI initiatives, the lineup spans both longstanding industry pioneers and emerging voices pushing architectural technology into new territory.
Emmanuel Di Giacomo
Senior Industry Engagement EMEA and Architect, Autodesk
Emmanuel Di Giacomo is a BIM and AI Evangelist, and he has spent over 24 years at Autodesk and now leads BIM Ecosystem Business Development across Europe, driving the AEC industry’s digital transformation. With a background in architecture and more than 35 years of experience in 3D technology, he is also the visionary behind the global ‘Utopic City’ community and the author of the influential ABCD blog.
He’s also in charge of AI and data strategy for EMEA as well as iconic projects like Notre-Dame’s reconstruction, and he’s been driving digital transformation in key Architectural practices all over Europe.
Petr Mitev
VP Product, Solutions for Designers, Chaos
At Chaos, Mitev creates software products and technologies that empower and improve the design and delivery of the built environment. By leveraging his product development experience and knowledge of the AEC industry, he helps create solutions that effectively improve the living environment and address the most pressing questions builders face — social, environmental, and ethical.
Mitev began his career in architecture, working with the Research Group at KieranTimberlake and serving as the Head of Application Development and Design Computation at NBBJ Design.
Niknaz Aftahi
Founder, aecplustech, inc
Niknaz Aftahi is the CEO and founder of aec+tech, an all-in-one innovation platform and community that connects professionals in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AEC/O) with cutting-edge tools and technologies. Before launching aec+tech, Niknaz worked as both a design professional and a design technology director at architecture firms in the Bay Area, California.
Niknaz is passionate about advancing technology and innovation in the AEC space and is a frequent speaker at national and international AEC-tech events. She serves on the AIA San Francisco Design Technology Committee and is a member of the AIA’s first-ever AI Task Force, a national initiative exploring how artificial intelligence will shape the future of architecture and the built environment.
In addition to her work in tech, Niknaz is committed to educational equity. She has developed and taught online architecture courses for Baháʼí students in Iran, who continue to be denied access to higher education in their home country.
George Proud
CEO, Gendo AI
Over the past decade, George Proud has studied and taught at leading universities, worked within top design studios, and contributed to projects ranging from private residences to large-scale urban developments, high-end retail, and museum installations worldwide. Across all of this work, technology has been a constant focus, spanning early experimentation with virtual reality through to CGI, real-time rendering and parametric modeling.
The emergence of generative AI marked a pivotal moment. While its potential in architecture and design was immediately clear, existing tools fell short of professional needs — lacking the precision, control, and reliability required in practice.
In response, George Proud co-founded Gendo with Will Jones to build professional-grade AI tailored specifically for designers — tools that move beyond inspiration to enable accurate, controllable and production-ready outputs.
Ismail Seleit
AI Influencer, Gendo AI
Ismail Seleit is a design architect specializing in design technology. With extensive experience in architecture and computational design, Ismail has contributed to diverse projects, ranging from design competitions to the realization of buildings on various scales.
Actively supporting design teams, Ismail leverages his expertise in BIM and Computational Design to navigate complex challenges. His primary focus is on enabling project teams to achieve efficient, informed, and collaborative design outcomes. Collaborating across departments, Ismail works to implement innovative methodologies to manage the design process from urban planning to product scale.
Simultaneously, Ismail engages in applied research, exploring new opportunities for implementing cutting-edge design workflows. His research specifically focuses on the integration of generative AI image-generating tools, with a keen interest in the combination of Stable Diffusion and ControlNet. This unique approach offers various techniques for generating controlled image compositions based on diverse user-defined inputs.
Beyond his architectural pursuits, Ismail is an ambient-electronic music producer with a focus on film scores. He has composed and produced soundtracks for architectural short films and contributed to the music and sound design of various independent films. Ismail’s passion for creative thinking, coupled with his dedication to design problem-solving, continues to drive his multifaceted and innovative endeavors.
Hamid Hassanzadeh
Founder and CEO, Parametric Architecture
Hamid Hassanzadeh is an architect, entrepreneur, and researcher dedicated to advancing the intersection of technology and architecture. As the Founder & CEO of ParametricArchitecture (PA), he has built one of the most influential platforms in the field, connecting designers, architects, and enthusiasts worldwide through cutting-edge computational design, AI, and digital fabrication.
Today, PA reaches over 20 million people monthly, serving as a hub for design innovation and thought leadership. Beyond PA, he established PAACADEMY, an educational initiative offering specialized training for architects and designers eager to master computational tools. Through workshops, interviews, and conferences, Hamid helps professionals navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital architecture. As the host of PA Talks, he has interviewed some of the most renowned architects and designers, fostering discussions on innovation, design methodologies and the future of architecture.
Stjepan Mikulic
Founder, AI in AEC
Stjepan is the founder of AI in AEC, a global training provider serving 1000+ architects, engineers, and construction professionals in over 70 countries. Stjepan worked as a Construction Architect at Europe’s largest engineering practice, Sweco and as a Project BIM Lead in the world-renowned architectural studio BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group).
AI in AEC maintains the world’s largest database of AI tools for the AEC industry, the AEC AI Hub, accessible to everyone for free and recognized by more than 30k LinkedIn professionals.
Ar. June Chow
Principal Architect and Founder, JUN Architect
Licensed architect based in Malaysia and AI specialist with expertise in Generative AI for architecture, urban design, and conceptual visualization. Trainer and consultant for architectural firms and academic institutions on AI-driven design workflows. Speaker at local and global forums and workshops on AI in architecture. Active on LinkedIn as one of the top 100 AI Creators.
Architizer's Vision Awards spotlights radical architectural concepts and compelling visual storytelling — from renderings and drawings, to photos and videos. The Final Entry deadline is June 26th. Start your submission today.
