Dezeen Magazine

Sculptural staircase and recycled TV screen tiles among AZ Awards 2015 winners

Dezeen promotion: the winners of this year's AZ Awards for architecture and design include a house featuring a staircase of wooden boxes, and tiles made from the screens of old TV sets and computers (+ slideshow).

Melbourne School of Design by John Wardle Architects and NADAAA – winner of Architecture less than 1000 square metres category
Melbourne School of Design by John Wardle Architects and NADAAA – winner of Architecture less than 1000 square metres category

The 19 winners of the AZ Awards 2015 were revealed during a gala event in Toronto last month.

Founded by contemporary architecture and design magazine Azure in 2011, the annual AZ Awards honours international excellence in categories that span buildings, landscapes, interiors, furniture and lighting.

CRT Glass Tile by Paul Burns – winner of Best Interior Product category
CRT Glass Tile by Paul Burns – winner of Best Interior Product category

From the 720 submissions received this year, 66 projects were whittled down by a jury that included architect Winka Dubbledam and designer Philippe Malouin, before the final decision was made.

Pani Community Centre by SchilderScholte Architecten, winner of the Architecture more than 1000 square metres category
Pani Community Centre by SchilderScholte Architecten, winner of the Architecture more than 1,000 square metres category

Among the winners is Milanese architect Francesco Librizzi, who has been awarded the Best Residential Interior accolade for his sculptural staircase made up of wooden boxes and platforms.

Haffenden House by Para-Project – winner of Residential Architecture Single Family category
Haffenden House by Para-Project – winner of Residential Architecture Single Family category

Tiles made from old television sets and computer monitors by San Francisco designer Paul Burns received Best Interior Product, while Best Lighting product was presented to Arik Levy for his LED Wireflow chandeliers.

The public was also given the chance to vote online for the People's Choice awards. Visit the AZ Awards website for the full list of winning projects.

Kinesit by Arper – winner of the Furniture Design category
Kinesit by Arper – winner of the Furniture Design category

Each winner received a trophy created by New York designer Karim Rashid, who used the awards logo as a starting point to create a "dynamic sculptural form that can be positioned in various ways".

Social Good Award: Fogo Island Inn
Fogo Island Inn by Saunders Architecture – winner of Social Good Award category

Read on for more information from Azure Magazine:


Top players of the international architectural and design community, from as far as Denmark and Dubai, gathered at the Evergreen Brick Works as AZURE revealed the winners of its fifth annual AZ Awards, who received trophies designed by Karim Rashid.

Casa G by Francesco Librizzi Studio – winner of Residential Interiors category
Casa G by Francesco Librizzi Studio – winner of Residential Interiors category

The AZ Awards are one of a kind: the only international, multi-disciplinary design competition in Canada. Representing a global snapshot of the world of architecture and design, submissions were open to designers, architects, firms and manufacturers of all disciplines, as well as students in these fields.

Epiphyte Chamber by Philip Beesley Architect - winner of Landscape Architecture category
Epiphyte Chamber by Philip Beesley Architect - winner of Landscape Architecture category

The high-calibre international jury included architect Winka Dubbeldam of Archi-Tectonics, architect Brendan MacFarlane of Jakob + MacFarlane, designer Anwar Mekhayech of the Design Agency, landscape architect Janet Rosenberg of Janet Rosenberg & Studio and designer Philippe Malouin. In March, the expert panel conferred at Toronto's Thompson Hotel, narrowing the field from an impressive 720 entries arriving from 43 countries to a shortlist of 66 finalists. From there, they selected the 19 outstanding winners.

Wireflow by Arik Levy – winner of Lighting Fixtures category
Wireflow by Arik Levy – winner of Lighting Fixtures category

During the month of April, the public was also given the chance to vote online for their favourites as the People's Choice.

Art Museum Ahrenshoop by Licht Kunst Licht – winner of Lighting Installations category
Art Museum Ahrenshoop by Licht Kunst Licht – winner of Lighting Installations category

Canada's leading contemporary design magazine, Azure is one of a handful of influential design titles worldwide. The independent magazine enjoys a growing subscriber base and can be found on newsstands across Canada, the US, Europe and Asia.

Toigetation by H&P Architects – winner of Social Good Award category
Toigetation by H&P Architects – winner of Social Good Award category

Each issue consistently delivers lively, visually engaging, forward-looking and socially relevant coverage of contemporary design. Azure profiles designers and architects from around the world; brings its readers breaking news on interior products and trends; showcases smart and paradigm-breaking residential and commercial projects; and investigates design issues related to our changing society.

Grip Tablesystem by Randers + Radius – winner of Furniture Systems category
Grip Tablesystem by Randers + Radius – winner of Furniture Systems category

Azure is an indispensable source of information and ideas for architects and designers as well as design-savvy consumers. The publication continues to garner awards for its overall excellence and high standards for visual and written content.

www.azuremagazine.com