January 2025 Agenda: A Global Month for Architects and Designers

January 2, 2025

As January 2025 approaches, several significant events are scheduled for the global architecture and design community. These events will take place across Europe and North America, providing opportunities to explore current trends, engage with industry leaders, and examine the relationship between creativity and functionality. Below are five key events that will influence the architectural and design discourse this month.

BAU

Date: January 13-18, 2025

Location: Munich, Germany

The BAU trade fair, held every two years, is recognized as the leading event in architecture, materials, and systems on a global scale. This year, Munich will serve as the venue for discussions centered on digital transformation, sustainability, and advanced materials in the construction industry. The event will convene architects, designers, and engineers to explore developments in building practices.

OTIIMA will present its recent advancements in minimal window solutions at this event. Attendees can visit Hall C5, Booth 119, to learn about the integration of aesthetic design and engineering precision in their latest system.

Kengo Kuma Designs the Portugal Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka: A Salute to Oceanic Heritage and Sustainability

Maison&Objet

Date: January 16-20, 2025

Location: Paris, France

Maison&Objet is recognized for its combination of luxury, creativity, and craftsmanship, serving as an important event for interior design professionals and enthusiasts. The current edition centers around the theme of "Future Heritage," which explores the integration of tradition and modernity in design to generate new concepts for living spaces.

The event provides a structured experience that includes product launches and opportunities for networking with notable designers and brands. It serves as a significant showcase for architects focusing on interiors and individuals seeking inspiration for custom projects.

IDS Toronto

Date: January 23-26, 2025

Location: Toronto, Canada

The Interior Design Show (IDS) Toronto is recognized as a significant event in Canada's design landscape. IDS Toronto 2025 will showcase contemporary interior and industrial design, highlighting innovative products, technologies, and trends that challenge traditional aesthetics.

The event will include presentations from global design leaders, advanced installations, and opportunities for attendees to engage with designers influencing future spaces. IDS Toronto aims to provide a range of ideas and inspiration for various projects.

DesignTO

Date: January 24 - February 2, 2025

Location: Toronto, Canada

DesignTO runs concurrently with IDS and transforms the city of Toronto into a platform for creativity. This festival serves as an open forum that focuses on art, architecture, and design in various forms. DesignTO highlights the diverse ways design influences daily life, featuring pop-up exhibitions and public installations.

The event emphasizes collaboration and community engagement, making it relevant for both professionals and design enthusiasts. It provides opportunities to explore innovative urban solutions and discover independent designers, aiming to offer an informative and engaging experience.

©Christine Lim

100 Women Architects: The Exhibition

Date: 18 October 2024 to 28 March 2025

Location: London, UK

An exhibition in London highlights the contributions of 100 influential women architects from around the world. The exhibit, running through March 2025, examines various narratives and projects that have impacted contemporary architecture. It emphasizes representation and innovation, showcasing the roles of women in shaping the architectural field across different time periods.

January 2025 features a variety of events for architecture and design professionals. Key highlights include the technical innovations presented at BAU, the artistic contributions showcased at Maison&Objet, and the creative activities at Toronto's twin events. These global gatherings provide opportunities for attendees to explore new ideas and approaches in the design field for the upcoming year.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

The Language of Modern Mediterranean Architecture

By OTIIMA MMTW • April 24, 2025

There is a particular kind of silence in Mediterranean architecture. A silence made of sun-bleached walls, filtered light passing through wooden slats, and open courtyards that breathe with the wind. Today, this timeless language is being rewritten—minimal, restrained, and yet deeply rooted in the rituals of the land. A Tradition Reinvented Modern Mediterranean architecture doesn’t mimic the past. It refines it. The terracotta is still warm, the limestone still rough, but now the lines are sharper, the spaces more fluid. Architects are reclaiming the vernacular, not as nostalgia, but as a source of resilience, comfort, and sensory clarity. Its architecture is made to age with grace. Made for slowness, for texture, for shadow.

A Conversation with Laney LA on the SC Residence

By OTIIMA MMTW • April 17, 2025

At the heart of every Laney LA project lies the pursuit of something greater, timeless yet undeniably fresh. In SC Residence, the Los Angeles-based studio partnered with OTIIMA to push boundaries in aesthetics and performance. We sat down with the architects behind the project to discuss their approach, the power of collaboration, and how innovation can shape the cities of tomorrow. A Practice Rooted in Time and Experimentation For Laney LA, design is not simply a choice between old and new; it’s about finding the balance between the two. “Our studio is constantly searching for a design that embodies timelessness and innovation. Timelessness includes staying power and that rare ability to remain relevant over time. Innovation feeds our curiosity as we are oriented toward noticing new ideas.” This mindset requires continually questioning conventional design norms. Which rules are worth preserving, and which are meant to be broken? For Laney LA, the tension between the two is where meaningful architecture begins.

How to Find and Develop Architectural Ideas and Inspiration

By OTIIMA MMTW • April 10, 2025

In architecture, inspiration is everything. It drives concepts, shapes materiality, and defines the experience of space. But finding fresh ideas, especially in a fast-paced, globalized industry, requires more than scrolling through image feeds or revisiting old references. It demands a mindset of curiosity, observation, and intention. Here are six practical ways to uncover and turn meaningful architectural inspiration into project-defining ideas. 1. Diversify Your Sources of Inspiration Expand your creative horizons by exploring areas beyond architecture, such as art, literature, music, and nature. This holistic approach can introduce innovative concepts that can be adapted into your architectural work. Tip : Shift your perspective by exploring different forms of creativity to break through creative blocks.

Architecture and Design Events Not to be Missed in April 2025

By OTIIMA MMTW • April 3, 2025

The world of architecture and design is filled with inspiring events throughout the year, but April stands out as a particularly dynamic month. With a lineup of prestigious exhibitions, fairs, and industry gatherings, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with groundbreaking ideas and emerging trends. In this article, we explore the top architecture and design events taking place this April, from the artistic influence of Art Paris to the innovation showcased at Expo 2025 Osaka. Art Paris 2025 Grand Palais Éphémère, Paris | April 3–6, 2025 A celebration of contemporary art, Art Paris returns with a focus on architectural influences in modern creative expression. Featuring an impressive selection of galleries, this edition highlights the dialogue between art and space, offering a unique perspective for architects seeking inspiration beyond traditional frameworks.

Five Lessons from Mies van der Rohe for Architects Today

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 27, 2025

March 27 marks the anniversary of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His philosophy, built on clarity, simplicity, and material honesty, continues to inspire contemporary architecture. His work embodies a timeless vision that remains as relevant as ever. Here are five key lessons architects today can learn from Mies van der Rohe. Less is More Perhaps his most famous principle, “Less is more,” summarizes Mies’ approach to design: stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the essential. His buildings are characterized by clean lines, open floor plans, and an absence of ornamentation. This philosophy encourages architects to prioritize spatial clarity and material integrity, resulting in structures that are modern and enduring.

The Essence of Scandinavian Architecture and Design

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 20, 2025

Scandinavian architecture and design represent a deep connection between nature, functionality, and the human experience. Grounded in a landscape of vast fjords, endless forests, and soft northern light, it reflects a unique philosophy and way of life. The Origins The origins of Scandinavian architecture date back to the Viking era, when timber structures and intricate carvings reflected a profound connection to materiality and craftsmanship. As centuries unfolded, this reverence for natural materials persisted, evolving with the changing needs of modern society. The early 20th century witnessed the emergence of Nordic Classicism, a restrained yet elegant style that soon gave way to a more functional and human-centric approach: Scandinavian Modernism.

Belgian Architecture: A Mosaic of Heritage and Modernism

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 13, 2025

Belgium’s topography is a delicate balance between history and modernity. From Bruges's medieval charm to Antwerp and Brussels's bold contemporary structures, architecture here is a study in balance. Minimalism finds a profound expression where clean lines, raw materials, and seamless transitions define space. At OTIIMA, we are privileged to contribute to this evolving narrative, shaping spaces where glass dissolves into air, thresholds blur, and architecture becomes an experience. In Belgium, three projects reference our philosophy: Villa Izegem, Villa P, and Villa V à Harelbeke. Villa Izegem | Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects Villa Izegem is an ode to minimalism in its purest form. Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects sculpted a space where vast glass expanses erase the boundary between nature and dwelling. The land breathes through the structure, light carving its way across surfaces, shifting with time. OTIIMA’s ultra-slim profiles amplify this sense of weightlessness, ensuring that nothing interrupts the dialogue between inside and out. The villa is not simply inhabited; it’s a quiet retreat where transparency is the ultimate luxury.

5 Iconic Projects Designed by Women in Architecture

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 8, 2025

Visionary minds have long shaped the architecture industry, yet women architects have fought for recognition in a male-dominated field for decades. Today, their contributions are undeniable, with groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of design, functionality, and sustainability. This article highlights a few remarkable projects led by women architects that demonstrate their profound impact on modern architecture. 1. Heydar Aliyev Center – Zaha Hadid Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a remarkable example of architectural fluidity and innovation. The building features a sinuous, wave-like form that challenges traditional architectural norms, creating an uninterrupted spatial experience. Renowned for her bold and futuristic designs, Hadid proved that architecture can be functional and sculptural. The center is a cultural hub that embodies modernity and movement in its design.

Liu Jiakun Awarded 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 6, 2025

Chinese architect Liu Jiakun has been honored with the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize, recognizing his contributions to contemporary architecture. This prestigious award, often called the "Nobel Prize of Architecture," celebrates Liu's work, which harmoniously blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern functionality.

The Architectural Influence in Cinema

By OTIIMA MMTW • February 27, 2025

As the 2025 Academy Awards approach, the spotlight is once again on the art of filmmaking, a fusion of storytelling, visual composition, and immersive world-building. Among the many crafts that shape a film’s identity, set design plays a pivotal role in defining cinematic spaces' realism and aesthetic coherence. The relationship between film and architecture is more than just a visual spectacle; it studies how space, light, and structure influence perception and emotion.