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The essence of community lies at the heart of living - a concept not merely confined to physical proximity but rather a dynamic interplay of shared spaces, experiences, and aspirations. Sanjay Puri Architects' visionary community centre in Nokha embodies this ethos, sculpting a free-flowing organic spiral that envelops the community like a nurturing cocoon, symbolizing inclusivity and collective growth. Here, architecture transcends mere structure; it becomes a catalyst for fostering connections and nurturing a sense of belonging.

Inspired by a kids' game of broken telephone, where the inputs and outputs don't always exactly match, Hello, Hello is a poetic messaging system inside a luminescent arch that turns peoples' voices into a lyrical spectacle. Created by Daily tous les jours, an emergent field of practice that combines interactive art, storytelling, performance, and urban design to create unexpected experiences that bring strangers together in a spirit of play, cooperation, and creativity, the permanent public art installation is part of a broader vision for "Joy Experiments" - interventions designed to foster community through play. 

The Urban Conga crafts a community-designed, programmable space in South Baltimore in response to the neighbourhood's struggles with drug abuse, gun violence, and pollution, aiming to provide a sanctuary for reflection, conversation, and hope.

Vistaar Associates in collaboration with Inspiration Architects chisel an immersive experience, awakening the cultural wealth of Kodungallur, a legendary trade hub on the Malabar Coast, in the refurbishing exercise of the Vedic Village Resort. The design choices realign the relics of the ancient town's maritime legacy and culture, echoing the essence of Muziris while accommodating the comforts of modernity. 

Ma Yansong of MAD Architects blends nature and history with modernity and technological advancements in the newly designed ZGC International Innovation Center in Beijing. 

Architectural ingenuity meets social reform at the Calling Academy Stellenbosch in South Africa by SALT Architects, maximizing spatial value with minimal resources.

From a surreal retail space redefining shopping, to a workplace in harmony with nature, and an eco-conscious education hub-these projects break boundaries and reshape industries. Why they matter: Experiential Retail | Foshan, China: Where art meets shopping by Topway Space Design Biophilic Office | Poland: Workspaces that nurture well-being by Biuro Kreacja Studio Sustainable School | South Africa: Designs that drive social change by SALT Architects

The last twelve months saw architecture redefining the intersection of culture, sustainability, and human experience. In IAnD's Global Hop section, these three projects have grabbed the most eyeballs for their demonstration of the transformative power of thoughtful design, merging sustainability, cultural preservation, and innovative functionality. They redefine global design paradigms, setting benchmarks for future projects that aspire to balance tradition and progress. The projects are: Heineken Beverages Head Office, South Africa by Tetris Design + Build, Nanhai Art Centre, Foshan, China by MAD Architects, and Hovey Residence, Quebec, Canada by 1628 Inc.

From slope to statement: Discover how Studio OODA uses the natural topography to shape this stunning 350-square-metre home in Oeiras, Portugal.

Rooted in the Eastern Townships' lush landscape, Atelier Matière Première - Nu Drom blurs boundaries between design, craft, and nature. Discover how architecture, light, and materiality come together to create spaces that evolve with time.

Atelier Architecture + Design proposes a visionary regeneration of Pilsworth Lake in South Lancashire-honouring the land's layered past while shaping a more sustainable future. The design introduces walkways, nature hides, rain gardens, and low-carbon visitor amenities-all woven into the landscape to support biodiversity, storytelling, and community engagement. Learn how architecture can listen, restore, and reimagine.

Tucked away in lush greenery, Hidden Villa designed by i29 architects blurs the lines between indoors and out. Expansive glass, verdant patios, and natural materials create a seamless flow of light and space. With a pool, fire pit, and open-air lounges, every corner is designed for tranquility. A sanctuary where elegance meets nature.

How do you build on land that's older than time? TECTON by MAKHNO Studio is an architecture that listens before it speaks - rooted in geology, shaped by terrain, and softened by tradition. A seamless blend of residence and restaurant, embedded into the ancient slope of Ukraine's Crystalline Shield.

Can a centuries-old well anchor a contemporary civic experience? July&Partners reimagines a 286 sq.m. site around Yiwu's Bajiao Well into a striking urban plaza-where stone, water, and spatial rhythm converge to evoke heritage in a modern language. A quiet transformation rooted in place and purpose.

Studio Inspatia crafts Forest Within-a serene residential escape in the foothills of Mount Asama, Japan-where Zen minimalism meets contextual architecture. Elevated lightly on steel stilts, shaped by nature and time, this retreat dissolves the boundaries between interior and forest. Glass walls, charred wood, basalt stone, and a central courtyard echo timeless Japanese traditions, offering presence and quietude in every frame.