The 20 winners of the 2017 AZ Awards proved their prowess through stunning and innovative projects that represent a snapshot of the leading work in global architecture and design today – from a curious, castle-like observatory in New Hampshire that maximizes stargazing to a bicycle-powered canopy that can unfurl anywhere an event space is needed to a 31.3-hectare park that preserves delicate wetlands in China. To mark their achievement, they were each awarded a one-of-a-kind trophy, the creation of Canadian-born, international design phenomenon, Philippe Malouin.

This year’s submissions reached an impressive 813 from 41 countries, setting a formidable task for our jury of renowned experts. Gathering in March to narrow down the hundreds of submissions to a shortlist of 70 finalists were: planner and landscape ecologist Nina-Marie Lister, interior designer Alessandro Munge, industrial designer Theo Richardson, architect Nader Tehrani and multidisciplinary designer Michael Vanderbyl. The jurors met at Toronto’s Drake Hotel – itself a historic landmark – where through debate and discussion they made their final selection of the best of the best – the 20 exceptional winners who were honoured on June 23.

For more information on the winners and about the AZ Awards, contact Mahasti Eslahjou at [email protected]

The 2017 AZ Awards is presented by Audi, Cosentino, DXV, Keilhauer and Rado, and sponsored by TD Bank Group, Urban Capital and George Brown School of

Design.

The AZ Awards Gala is sponsored by Alpi, Bauhaus, Farrow & Ball and Euro-Line.

Media Partners: Archello, ArchiExpo, Archilovers, Archinect, Archiproducts, Architecture Lab, Architect’s Newspaper, Architonic, Bustler, core77, IDC, Index-

Design, v2com and World-Architects.