Christ & Gantenbein and Bureau Spectacular named best architecture studios at Dezeen Awards
Christ & Gantenbein's projects include an extension to Kunstmuseum Basel

Christ & Gantenbein and Bureau Spectacular named best architecture studios at Dezeen Awards

Swiss studio Christ & Gantenbein has been named Architect of the Year while US office Bureau Spectacular has won Emerging Architect of the Year at Dezeen Awards.

Christ & Gantenbein won the Architect of the Year award, which is given for "all-round design excellence over a body of work by an architect or architecture practice that has been in business for more than 10 years".

Christ & Gantenbein and Bureau Spectacular named best architecture studios at Dezeen Awards
Christ & Gantenbein's portfolio also includes the National Museum Zurich. Photo by Walter Mair

Recent projects by the Basel-based office include a pavilion celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in Wittenberg, Germany, an extension to Kunstmuseum Basel and the National Museum Zurich.

Christ & Gantenbein and Bureau Spectacular named best architecture studios at Dezeen Awards
Among Christ & Gantenbein's recent projects is a pavilion for the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in Wittenberg, Germany. Photo by Walter Mair

"This studio has built a substantial body of work and has a clearly mature portfolio," said members of the architecture master jury, which awarded the prize.

"It shows impressive craftsmanship and has mastered technology in construction. It is particularly good at using historical references to design something that still manages to feel contemporary."

Christ & Gantenbein and Bureau Spectacular named best architecture studios at Dezeen Awards
Bureau Spectacular's portfolio includes a conceptual treehouse based on the writing of philosopher Marc-Antoine Laugier. Photo by Bureau Spectacular and Jeff Frost

Bureau Spectacular was named Emerging Architect of the Year, a title awarded for the best "all-round design excellence over a body of work by an architect or architecture practice that has been in business for 10 years or less".

The studio was established in 2008. Located in Los Angeles, it is led by Jimenez Lai and Joanna Grant.

Bureau Spectacular's built projects include the Frankie Los Angeles store completed in 2016, while conceptual projects include an indoor treehouse based on the writing of philosopher Marc-Antoine Laugier.

Christ & Gantenbein and Bureau Spectacular named best architecture studios at Dezeen Awards
Bureau Spectacular "shows the importance of pushing boundaries in architecture", according to the judges. Photo by Bureau Spectacular and Jeff Frost

"This studio shows the importance of pushing boundaries in architecture by developing a new approach through conceptual combinatorics of found objects and shapes," said the judges.

"It has established an interdisciplinary discourse by working in different fields and engaging in things from academic theory and publications to music festivals," they added.

The architecture studio award winners were announced alongside studio winners for interiors and design at the Dezeen Awards ceremony in London on 27 November 2018.

Winners received a hand-made trophy designed by Atelier NL.

See all winners at www.dezeen.com/awards/winners.