Our Top 10 Favorite Picks from the 2024 Architizer A+ Awards

Last month, CSI Creative had the honor of accepting the Architizer A+ Award in the Acoustic Finishes product category, in recognition of our innovations in our new product category, Acoustic Greenery. A part of our Earth collection, Acoustic Greenery consists of bio-acoustic designs incorporating botanically accurate greenery into acoustic ceiling & wall products, and should be considered a new product category, which falls under the broader rubric of biophilic design, which is approach that incorporates natural elements and patterns into built environments to foster human connection with nature, aimed at improving well-being and productivity.

However, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some of our favorite products, firms, designs, & ideas from the Architizer A+ Awards list that we believe deserve some extra recognition as they push the boundaries of the industry in never before seen ways pioneer new advancements in fields such as technology and sustainability, enhancing the world’s beauty and quality of life.

Relaxa by Hungarian company VPI offers a durable and comfortable solution for urban leisure, combining concrete’s robustness with an airy design. Its modular elements can be arranged individually, in rows, or paired side by side, effortlessly transforming public spaces into inviting relaxation or sunbathing areas. The sunbed features ergonomic seating and a subtle headrest, ensuring a comfortable recline, while an attachable table provides a convenient surface for beverages. Designed with considerations for installation, drainage, and maintenance, Relaxa allows rainwater to drain off easily and includes lifting points for straightforward installation. Developed through rigorous testing and meticulous craftsmanship, it stands as an elegantly designed option for enhancing urban leisure experiences and provides a sustainable solution to metropolitan needs.

Founded by Christina Cho Yoo & Ming Thompson in 2014, Atelier Cho Thompson operates as a diverse design and conceptual firm with offices located in San Francisco and New Haven. Engaged in architecture, interiors, graphics, brand strategy, furniture, installations, and exhibitions, we blur traditional boundaries between these disciplines to foster a synthesis of ideas and strategies. This integrated approach cultivates environments where every element resonates with a central concept. Certified as a Women-Owned San Francisco Local Business Enterprise and affiliated with the Female Founders Collective, Atelier Cho Thompson embodies a commitment to inclusive and innovative design practices while promoting empowerment. They have already established their name in the space with various projects such as ‘Interwoven’, a part of the eighth annual Flatiron Public Plaza Holiday Design Competition during which the firm won and had to create a prominent landmark for the holidays in the heart of Manhattan.

Originally built in the late 1980s, The U.S. Bank Center in Seattle recently underwent a revitalization led by SkB Architects to enhance its appeal and functionality. The focus was on creating a dynamic workplace and inviting public space that would benefit both tenants and the community. Central to this transformation is Cedar Hall, the redesigned atrium, now expansive and inviting with a ceiling adorned in 3.6 million green penny tiles that reflect sunlight and enhance the tactile experience, promoting a sense of well-being and connection with nature. This green aesthetic fosters a healthier indoor environment, contributing to the overall wellness of visitors and tenants alike by creating a more inviting and uplifting atmosphere. The Tower Lobby serves as a lively crossroads featuring curated art and adaptable settings, while the Spruce Room offers a cozy retreat with lounge seating and workspaces, echoing Cedar Hall’s earthy aesthetic. Accessibility improvements, including visible ADA ramps, enhance circulation and street-level porosity, making the U.S. Bank Center a vibrant hub that seamlessly blends everyday routines with diverse opportunities for exploration, dining, and shopping. This blend of form and function that incentivizes productivity and communication make this project an exemplary model to pursue for fostering healthy work environments.

The 3.5-acre Pollinators and Bird Garden at The Arboretum at Penn State by Didier Design Studio is a collaborative effort involving Phyto Studio, Lake Flato Architects, the Center for Pollinator Research, Arboretum faculty and staff, and the Avian Education Advisory Committee. It addresses critical issues such as pollinator declines by transforming a former monoculture pasture into diverse habitats that support ecological research and engage visitors in conservation. The garden features sculpted landscapes with varying conditions like meadows, slopes, and forests, designed to attract pollinators and birds while educating visitors about habitat restoration. It includes innovative structures like a Beehive, fostering a deeper connection to nature and inspiring stewardship of the environment. With over 340 plant species, predominantly native, the garden aims to sustain local wildlife and contribute to biodiversity while being a beacon for other wildlife conservation efforts.

The Airiva Wind Energy System is a modular, scalable, and intelligent system incorporating vertical wind turbines arranged within a modern framework. Its elevated design seamlessly integrates into urban and suburban landscapes, enhancing energy accessibility near residential and commercial areas. Complementary to existing technologies, electricity generated can be used on-site, stored, or transmitted to the grid. It boasts remote monitoring capabilities for geographically dispersed installations, employs 90% recycled materials in manufacturing, and is designed for efficient mass production and transport. Suitable for both commercial and residential use in various environments such as urban settings, industrial facilities, and coastal areas, the wind turbine wall system offers renewable energy representation which stands out as visually stunning while promoting sustainability.

The District Energy Facility (DEF) by Leers Weinzapfel Associates at Harvard University’s Allston campus exemplifies cutting-edge, cost-effective, and sustainable energy generation while promoting prioritizing design in scientific achievement. Designed with resilience and innovation in mind, it aims to lead the way towards a fossil-fuel-free future while withstanding climate impacts like flooding. Situated on a former rail-yard, surrounded by burgeoning science, engineering, and residential developments, its compact cubic structure with rounded corners allows seamless integration with future expansions while maintaining a striking visual presence. Clad in anodized aluminum fins that cleverly conceal equipment, the DEF serves as a testament to the unseen benefits of district energy plants—enhanced resilience, energy efficiency, reduced costs, lower carbon emissions, and improved air quality. Positioned centrally to serve multiple buildings, it represents a new era in urban and campus infrastructure design, prioritizing noise reduction and community integration. This innovative approach celebrates both the functional and aesthetic appeal of sustainable energy solutions, setting a benchmark for future developments.

The Little Mod Housing Development is an innovative urban infill development redefining density in Saint Paul, MN. Designed by Double Jack Design Workshop and realized through a collaboration with NOMINN, this project was brought to life as a render. Each duplex features six co-living bedroom/bathroom suites per unit, totaling twelve suites. Embracing a Nordic aesthetic, the design blends wood and large panels to harmonize with its surroundings while providing a contemporary look, prioritizing natural light and passive heating through expansive south-facing openings. Overcoming challenges like significant grade changes and bedrock close to the surface, the focus was on minimal site impact with a straightforward structure. This project aims to achieve Zero Energy Building certification by combining a high-performance envelope with advanced mechanical systems, guided by energy modeling and top-quality windows and doors. The goal is to generate more energy than the building consumes annually, promoting sustainability and paving the way for modern living solutions in urban environments.

Joybo Farm, situated in the Jiangjin District of Chongqing City, serves as the primary source of raw materials used in nearby Joybo Distillery’s liquor production. The seamless integration of agriculture, industry, and community is a cornerstone of the design philosophy, fostering closer ties within the community. Furthermore, Joybo Farm prioritizes eco-friendly practices such as water recycling and organic farming techniques, ensuring minimal environmental impact. This commitment not only supports sustainable agriculture but also sets a precedent for responsible land use in urban regions like Chongqing. Through its innovative approach, Joybo Farm demonstrates how harmonizing agriculture, industry, and community can create a model of resilience and prosperity for the future. The project aims to offer a unique alternative to traditional urban and rural environments, featuring structures like concrete barns and a river system bordered by multiple peninsulas, all emphasizing agricultural sustainability. As a beacon of hope and progress, Joybo Farm inspires communities aspiring to achieve self-sufficiency and unity.

Stemming from the designer, Chris Cornelius’ personal experience growing up in Housing and Urban Development (H.U.D.) housing on the Oneida Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, Not My H.U.D. House aims to address the deficiencies of H.U.D. housing such as the lack of a porch, garage, or a place to study/work as well as acting as a commentary on conventional housing models and how they force indigenous people into assimilation rather than encouraging embracing their individual cultural identity and practices. Like other H.U.D. housing, their home was designed and built by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to house Indigenous people who were forcibly removed and relocated to reservations from their ancestral lands. In order to combat these conventions, Chris opted to make the spaces in the house flexible and multi-purpose rather than having a rigid purpose for rooms such as a Kitchen or Dining room, reflecting a long-standing principle in Indigenous housing where spaces serve multiple purposes—such as relaxation and ceremony—simultaneously. The spaces also have various cultural symbols such as the hearth, depicted as a soaring steel structure reaching skyward, which symbolizes a gathering place and council for Indigenous communities, or the east-facing entrance, honoring the traditional practice of greeting the sun. This project highlights how cultural nuances should be celebrated in design and architecture and why it is an ideal worth pursuing.

The Refinery at Domino stands as the last standing structure in the 19th-century Domino Sugar complex, undergoing a transformative redesign by PAU to accommodate office spaces that fuse vintage brick work with contemporary tropes such as clashing shapes and use of large windows. However, this is not just for aesthetic revitalization. Originally tailored for sugar production, the NYC landmark’s historic masonry and small, misaligned windows were reimagined to enhance accessibility and natural light for modern office environments. PAU integrated a new building within the existing structure, allowing for spacious, well-lit office floors ideal for today’s creative professionals. The design preserves the industrial character of the exterior while incorporating biophilic elements like a hanging garden, creating a vibrant workspace that harmonizes old and modern. The project, celebrated for its innovative approach, gained unanimous approval from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, highlighting its role in revitalizing Brooklyn’s waterfront with a distinctive blend of historical preservation and modern functionality.