James Brillon

James (he/him/his) is an architect and writer based in New York City. He joined Dezeen as an intern in 2016, and has contributed ever since.

He practices as a licensed architect, focusing his work on residential, retail, and hospitality projects in the US and Canada. He has taught at Columbia University GSAPP, and regularly lends his time as a guest critic of undergraduate and graduate studio work.

James holds degrees in architecture from Columbia University and Université Laval.

Set Ideas completes two modular home prototypes in Argentina

Argentinian studio Set Ideas has completed two small cabins in Córdoba that aim to offer high-quality living spaces within a tight footprint. More

James Brillon | 22 May 2022 | Leave a comment
Luciano Basso raises concrete home around tree in southern Brazil

Luciano Basso has completed a concrete home in the forests of southern Brazil that is built around a mature Paraná pine tree. More

James Brillon | 21 May 2022 | Leave a comment

Light and Air updates Financial District apartment with open floor plan

Brooklyn studio Light and Air has renovated a loft in New York City's financial district by removing partitions to create an open, inviting space. More

James Brillon | 20 May 2022 | Leave a comment
Cancún apartment building is designed for workers and tourists to coexist

Split-level bedrooms and natural finishes characterise this apartment complex in Cancún, Mexico, by Kiltro Polaris, WEWI, and JC Arquitectura. More

James Brillon | 16 May 2022 | Leave a comment
Baldio Arquitectura designs Córdoba row house around existing carob tree

Baldio Arquitectura has completed a small apartment with light wells and a central tree as part of a residential complex in Córdoba. More

James Brillon | 15 May 2022 | Leave a comment

Whitten Architects places single-storey Maine home on stilts to "evoke a treehouse"

Whitten Architects clad this Maine retreat with Eastern cedar and placed it on stilts on a steep site so that the single-storey structure would seem like a treehouse. More

James Brillon | 14 May 2022 | Leave a comment
Studio Gang designs Brooklyn fire station to train elite firefighters

Studio Gang has completed a fire station for Brooklyn's elite force that doubles as a simulation and training facility for extreme rescue situations. More

James Brillon | 11 May 2022 | Leave a comment
CLB places steel "chapel" in Times Square for NYCxDesign

American studio CLB Architects has created a circular wood-and-steel "chapel" in New York City's Times Square to mark the return of the city's annual NYCxDesign festival. More

James Brillon | 10 May 2022 | Leave a comment
Soler Orozco Arquitectos and Javier Sánchez embed spa in Mexican jungle

Soler Orozco Arquitectos and Javier Sánchez have created a spa that is shaped like a truncated cone and lit by a dramatic skylight in a dense Mexican jungle. More

James Brillon | 3 May 2022 | Leave a comment
Lemay completes North America's largest indoor skating facility

Lemay has completed a facility dedicated to ice skating in Québec City, enclosing the full-length speed skating track with glass walls. More

James Brillon | 2 May 2022 | Leave a comment

Práctica Arquitectura uses single material for holiday home near Monterrey

A tall, pyramidal roof tops the main living area of this holiday home in northern Mexico by Práctica Arquitectura, made almost entirely of concrete. More

James Brillon | 2 May 2022 | Leave a comment
Ian Pablo Amores creates pink hotel with courtyard garden in San Miguel de Allende

Mexican architect Ian Pablo Amores has completed a boutique hotel in San Miguel de Allende with a pink facade and a landscaped garden lounge. More

James Brillon | 27 April 2022 | Leave a comment
SAA completes Chilean cabin illuminated by central courtyard

A central courtyard in this remote retreat by Chilean studio SAA brings natural light to the interiors while avoiding the need to cut any additional trees surrounding the structure. More

James Brillon | 26 April 2022 | Leave a comment

CCY Architects nestles Meadow House in mountain valley outside Aspen

CCY Architects designed this home in the mountains of Colorado to be built largely below grade to reduce its impact on the surrounding natural landscape. More

James Brillon | 21 April 2022 | Leave a comment
MC Escher works inform Montreal home by Naturehumaine

An angular steel staircase crosses through this Montreal residence by Naturehumaine, which was inspired by the fantastical paintings of Dutch artist MC Escher. More

James Brillon | 20 April 2022 | Leave a comment
MasFernandez Arquitectura tops Chilean home with triangular skylight

MasFernandez Arquitectura has completed a wooden home in the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, for a client that is continually training for triathlon races. More

James Brillon | 18 April 2022 | Leave a comment
Jean Verville lines Montreal row house with sculptural plywood interiors

Jean Verville Architectes has completed a residence in Montreal where nearly every surface is made of plywood for a "minimalist, functional, artistic experiment". More

James Brillon | 17 April 2022 | Leave a comment

Laurent Troost creates Tropical Shed as archaeologist's office in Brazil

Laurent Troost Architectures has completed an office in Brazil for an archaeological consultancy, adding a garden courtyard and trellises for vines. More

James Brillon | 12 April 2022 | Leave a comment
Naturehumaine splits Quebec ski cottage La Brèche in two

A narrow passageway divides this cottage with a metal roof by Naturehumaine, marking the entrance to the home and providing privacy to a detached guest suite and atelier. More

James Brillon | 4 April 2022 | Leave a comment
Colle-Croce completes all-white steel home in Buenos Aires

Argentinian architectural office Colle-Croce has designed this white home on a compact lot in Buenos Aires to make the most of the available outdoor space. More

James Brillon | 1 April 2022 | Leave a comment