Pioneering Perspectives: 8 Visionary Vanguards Join the 12th Annual A+Awards Jury

While architecture serves as the vibrant core of Architizer’s A+Awards, the program’s impact reverberates well beyond the architectural realm. In harmony with this broader influence, our distinguished jury of over 250 members forms an academy of leaders actively shaping our global landscape. This esteemed panel encompasses a remarkable spectrum of design-savvy professionals, including luminaries from diverse fields such as fashion, publishing, product design, real estate development, and technology.

To showcase your projects to this exceptional assembly of influential thinkers and doers, submit them for consideration for the prestigious A+Awards before the Final Extended Entry Deadline on February 23rd:

Enter the 12th Annual A+Awards

A+Awards Finalists and Winners not only present their work to those who wield influence but also attain recognition as the most influential visionaries in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) field. This year’s jury stands out for its unprecedented diversity, with a stellar lineup that mirrors the pioneering spirit and deep love of architecture at the core of the program. Below, discover just a few of the captivating figures set to cast their discerning gaze over the world’s finest architecture this year.

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Hamid Hassanzadeh

Founder and Creative Director of Parametric Architecture

Hamid Hassanzadeh is a distinguished Iranian architect, entrepreneur, researcher and speaker. Having earned his degree in architectural engineering in 2012, Hamid has since contributed to various architectural projects across Iran, Turkey, Russia, Kuwai, and the United States. In early 2016, he founded the ParametricArchitecture platform, initially launching on Instagram. Today, ParametricArchitecture, often abbreviated as PA, stands as a globally renowned hub for parametric, computational design and AI lovers, boasting over 20 million monthly interactions on social media and its dedicated website. Hamid endeavors to demystify the intricacies of the parametric, computational and AI realms through compelling articles, interviews, workshops, podcasts and conferences disseminated across various digital platforms.

Furthermore, Hamid is the visionary behind PAACADEMY, an educational entity under the aegis of PA, dedicated to propagating the concepts of computational architecture and design. The PAACADEMY, as an educational platform, educates and engages with its audience, introducing them to advanced techniques and algorithms employed by architects, designers and coders alike. He highlights exemplary projects executed using state-of-the-art design software, ensuring that his audience not only witnesses but also comprehends the depth and philosophy of these avant-garde design practices. Moreover, as the esteemed host of the ‘PA Talks’ interview series, he engages in enriching conversations with architects, orchestrates numerous workshops, conferences, and events, and has had the privilege of interviewing myriad globally acclaimed architects, delving into their methodologies and foresighted visions for the architectural landscape.

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Ilene Shaw

Executive Director of NYCxDesign

Ilene Shaw has devoted her career to the advocacy and promotion of great design. She began as a product designer and evolved as an innovator of international trade and public design shows, conferences, curated exhibitions, awards and educational programs, showcasing notable established and emerging architects, designers, artists and fine manufacturers.

She currently serves as Executive Director of NYCxDESIGN, New York City’s official design festival and initiative, promoting NYC internationally as a significant design destination and producing its official citywide design festival.

Shaw is the founding producer of Design Pavilion, the largest public design activation in the world viewed by millions of visitors annually around New York City in celebration of NYCxDESIGN. Shaw produced the Design Talks, offering thought-leadership by insightful design minds. She conceived of and co-developed the ICFF, International Contemporary Furniture Fair through its formative first decade. As a lifelong champion of public art and design, Shaw serves as a senior advisor to CODAworx, the resource hub of the commissioned art economy, and co-spearheaded its internationally renowned CODAawards. Shaw can be seen as a frequent presenter and judge on the CBS TV series America ByDesign: Architecture, where she is known for her spotlight interviews of today’s architectural stars, and America ByDesign: Innovation, where she features international product spotlights.

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Molly Heintz

Chair of MA Design Research, Writing & Criticism at the School of Visual Arts

Molly Heintz is the Chair of MA Design Research, Writing & Criticism at the School of Visual Arts. She was formerly the editor of Oculus for AIANY and has served as the op-ed editor of Co.Design for Fast Company and as managing editor of The Architect’s Newspaper. Based in New York City, she has worked in-house at several architecture firms, including as the director of marketing and communications for the northeast region of Gensler and as research director at Rockwell Group, where she edited Spectacle among other publications.

She is a co-founder of the editorial consultancy Superscript, which has developed programming, exhibitions and editorial content for a variety of institutions including the Venice Architecture Biennale, the Museum of Arts and Design, and MoMA. She holds B.A.s in art history and archaeology from Duke University, an M.A. in the History of Art and Architecture from Harvard University, and an M.F.A. in Design Criticism from the School of Visual Arts.

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Lin Xiao

Executive Deputy General Manager at Beijing AN-design Architects

With a deep understanding of urban and rural planning from the perspective of urban cultural values, Lin Xiao is adept at urban renewal interventions, urban design, characteristic space master planning, as well as the conservation and utilization of historical and cultural cities and neighborhoods. In the realm of heritage preservation and urban renewal, he has proposed the concept of integrating design, investment, construction, and operation (DICO), and has successfully executed several impactful projects in line with this approach.

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Dami Lee

Architect and YouTuber at Nollistudio

Dami is a licensed architect who uses her expertise to introduce architectural concepts to a wider audience through her YouTube channel. She excels in breaking down complex concepts into engaging presentations and as a result, has gained a large viewership of curious minds. In 2022, she ventured into entrepreneurship and founded Nollistudio, a unique fusion of architecture and filmmaking. This venture has since blossomed into a multidisciplinary team that thrives on collaboration, continuously pushing the boundaries in design and communication. Dami’s mix of professionalism and her ability to engage people on a variety of topics, have deeply resonated with her colleagues and viewers alike, setting her apart in the field.

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Katelin Butler

Editorial Director at Architecture Media

Katelin Butler is the editorial director at Architecture Media, where her role includes the custodianship of the centenarian magazine Architecture Australia and curation of the Design Speaks event series. She has co-edited three books: The Forever House: Time-Honoured Australian Homes (2014), The Terrace House: Reimagined for the Australian Way of Life (2015) and The Apartment House: Reframing the Australian Dream (2017), all published by Thames and Hudson. She is co-author of The New Queensland House (2022), also published by Thames and Hudson. She has been a peer juror, exhibition curator, guest university critic and speaker at various industry events and conferences. Katelin holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Tasmania and a Master of Architecture from the University of Melbourne.

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Cristian Confalonieri

Co-Founder / Creative Director of Studiolabo / Fuorisalone

Cristian Confalonieri is a communication and service designer. With a degree in design from the Politecnico di Milano and a subsequent master’s degree in ” Creating Design Enterprises”, he has accumulated more than fifteen years of experience in the field of web design and user experience and has been a consultant for numerous communication agencies in the field of content providers for mobile, web and digital TV.

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Paolo Casati

Co-Founder / Creative Director of Studiolabo / Fuorisalone

Paolo Casati (Milan, 1977) is a creative director and brand consultant. He graduated from the School of Design at the Politecnico di Milano with a thesis on Fuorisalone.it, gained experience in the field of product and interior design and then concentrated on the world of visual communication for the web, user experience, territorial marketing, event production and art direction.

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To get your projects viewed by this incredible cast of influential thinkers and doers, submit them for an iconic A+Award before the Extended Entry Deadline on February 23rd:

Enter the 12th Annual A+Awards