Sean Canty: The Latest Architecture and News

Architecture is about giving form to the places where people live. It is no easier, and no more complicated, than that. There are three key words here: "form," "place," and "life." As soon as one reflects on these terms, one immediately comprehends that these things are not all that easy. - Alejandro Aravena

With this phrase in the foreword to ArchDaily's Guide to Architecture, Alejandro Aravena reflects on the underlying complexity of architecture. Something that is essential to our life, but that with the ever growing complexities of our world, becomes a challenging task.

That is why for the 4th consecutive year we embark on a global survey, evaluating the work, ethos and mission behind innovative practices from all over the world. They represent the diversity that is reshaping our field, working across the spectrum between the essence of architecture and its blurry boundaries, ranging from studios to activists, startups and other forms of production, research, and thinking.

These 20 practices, half led by women or as a mix, coming from Europe, South America, North America, Asia and the Middle East, represent the diversity among those who are setting an example of the direction architecture should be heading. At the center of their mission there is a clear forward looking agenda that shapes their work, that reveal a practical consciousness towards the challenges of our world.

Meet ArchDaily's 2024 Best New Practices:

The Architectural League of New York has announced the winners of its 42^nd cycle of the Architectural League Prize for Young Architects + Designers. The theme for this edition of the competition was “Uncomfortable,” asking young designers to contemplate their position while wrestling with many uncomfortable responsibilities, like challenging traditional paradigms, dismantling architectural legacies, grappling with the costs of comfort, or responding to rising ecological concerns.

Established in 1981, the competition is open to young architects and designers in an effort to recognize the visionary work of young practitioners. This year’s theme was developed by the 2023 Young Architects + Designers Committee, which included recent League Prize winners Jose Amozurrutia, Germane Barnes, and Jennifer Bonner. The jury included the committee in addition to Barbara Bestor, Wonne Ickx, Kyle Miller, and Tya Winn.

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Last year, as the pandemic kept many housebound, artist and architectural historian Esther Choi found herself fielding a lot of requests from BIPOC students and young professionals looking for advice. She noticed several of the same concerns cropping up, specifically those having to do with the stresses of studying or working in environments that were overwhelmingly white. So, as one will do these days, Choi took to social media, where she announced virtual information sessions in which she would talk about her professional experience in an attempt to help others. The success of these initial, informal get-togethers led Choi to plan a series of events where BIPOC design students and young professionals could pick the brains of established BIPOC architects, designers, and writers about their careers and ways to navigate often unsupportive fields. The conversations would be casual, frank, and encouraging. Choi named the initiative Office Hours.