Jury

I am pretty clear what architecture means to me, and after 50 years of being in this profession on three continents, I will not change my mind. There are great architects out there, and I just hope they see clearly the development of our profession. It is not about YOU anymore, it is about the survival of our planet. Please take this seriously!

Architecture is an emotional experience.

When artificial intelligence is used to build superstructures, then the human input can only be done by designers with great imagination and vision. High-Tech is terrific if it is applied to social benefit. We forget so quickly that everything we make, including artificial intelligence, comes from the raw materials of this planet.

I can see that people are fascinated by monstrous shiny skyscrapers, but the reality is, that this is nothing more than modern human anthills. Who wants to live there with thousands of others?

We should integrate the beauty of Nature harmoniously into our architecture. The grand design of Nature (mountains, valleys, meadows, lakes, streams, oceans shores) gives us enough inspiration to follow the idea to compliment Nature, instead of destroying it.

Darian Lu is a practicing architect in New York. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University, and her Master of Architecture from Columbia University in New York City. She is passionate about multi-disciplinary, research-based design, and focuses on crafting transformational workplaces, and designing precedent-setting hospitality and residential spaces. Her work is characterized by close attention to materials, and art integration within architecture. With an emphasis on the individual's experience, Darian is able to bring a small-scale focus to the design of large-scale projects. She practiced with W Architecture, Skidmore Owings Merrill, and most recently with WeWork. She and her team's work were featured in Architecture Digest, Arch Daily, Fox Business, Forbes, and numerous others. 

Lead studio-design lecturer and researcher specialized in (architectural Visualization and photography, architectural morphogenesis and form-finding ,  architectural tectonics and Aesthetics). Additionally,  there is a considerable interest in developing (architectural pedagogies, design-knowledge,  and critical thinking skill-sets) within the architectural education.

Daniel's architectural focus deals with a design that emphasizes the environment and its culture, incorporating sustainability, new technologies, and functionality. Material selection and construction process are also fundamental pillars of good architecture.

He has a fascination for sustainable processes and from practice [NOA] he aims to generate innovative tailor-made urban and architectural solutions.

ACADEMIC PROFILE

He is Adjunct Professor (Int) in Architectural Studio at the FADU, UBA (University of Buenos Aires) where he has been teaching since 1998. He has been a Visiting Professor at the Universities of: Talca [Chile]; Johannesburg [South Africa] and Javeriana of Bogota [Colombia]; and Lecturer at the Tadeo University of Cartagena [Colombia]. He also chaired the 2010 DasBaker Award Jury in South Africa.

In 2018 the University of Buenos Aires distinguishes him with two Academic Merit Mentions

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

In 2007 he founded Najmias Oficina de Arquitectura [NOA], a practice with a fascination for sustainable processes and the generation of innovative solutions from architecture and the impact it has on the daily life of its users. The research-based approach drives spatial innovation in the fields of architecture, interior design and furniture as well as in the landscape, with a strong focus on the integration and impacts of the built on the phisical setting and the environment

He won his first international prize in 2002, the Silver Medal in the International Design Competition Beyond East and West [Korea]. In 2011 he was awarded the International Highly-Commended Americas Property Awards Single Residence.

From NOA, or associated with other offices, he also obtains the following national awards: 1st. and 3rd. Urban Project Award at FADU Biennial [2019]; Distinguished Work BIA-AR [2018]; 1st. Prize National Competition for the Colegiales Railwaystation Masterplan [2017]; 2nd Prize National Competition for City Park National [2017]; 3rd Arq Award [2011] and Bicentennial Award Finalist [2010] among others.