International by Design: The 14th A+Awards Jury Unites Global Architectural Leaders

Last chance: The 14th Architizer A+Awards celebrates architecture's new era of craft. Apply for publication online and in print by submitting your projects before the Final Entry Deadline on January 30th!

They’re shaping skylines, redefining public life, and building new narratives for design. From São Paulo to Montreal, Dubai to Shanghai, the latest jurors for the 14th Annual A+Awards represent the architects, principals, and creative leaders behind some of the world’s most influential studios. Each one brings a distinct regional lens — yet all are united by a shared commitment to architecture’s future: bold ideas, refined execution, and projects that move the profession forward.

From the poetic austerity of Marcio Kogan’s Brazilian modernism to Sonia Gagné’s civic-scale Montréal interventions, this jury reflects an architecture of quiet power. David Montalba distills Californian light into refined tectonics, while Pablo Bofill and Alborz Mohammadi channel a legendary legacy into contemporary expression. Each juror brings a cosmopolitan fluency — whether through academic practice, hospitality design, or cultural placemaking — and together, they represent the multifaceted lens through which architecture’s future will be judged.

As the 14th Annual A+Awards opens to submissions, these are the voices helping define what excellence looks like — not just in form, but in feeling. The Final Entry Deadline arrives at Midnight PT on January 30, 2026. To secure your place in the program, hit the button below to get started:

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David Montalba

Founding Principal, Montalba Architects

Born in Florence, Italy and raised in both Switzerland and California, David earned his Bachelor of Architecture at the Southern California Institute of Architecture and completed his Master of Architecture at UCLA. His diverse background as an architect includes over 30 years of professional practice with architectural firms in the United States and Europe, and this work has been recognized in various publications and with numerous awards, including the AIA’s National Young Architect Award in 2008, a 2011 AIA Institute Honor Award, and over 170 other design awards in the past 20 years.

As Founding Principal of Montalba Architects, Inc., David Montalba is acting design principal on each project. Believing that architecture can improve quality of life, his is a humanistic approach, which leads to solutions that are contextual, yet conceptual and visionary in their intent, effect, and appeal.

Academic activities and community involvement are integral to David’s practice, as reflected in his participation in several architecture programs, including as an adjunct professor at UCLA’s Graduate School of Architecture, where he teaches. He has served as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects and an advisor to the AIA’s Academic Outreach and 2×8 Exhibition Committees. David has also served as a Board Member of the A+D Museum in Los Angeles. He is a registered member of NCARB and a licensed architect in the states of California, Florida, Wyoming, Nevada, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, as well as British Columbia, Canada.

Instagram: @montalbaarchitects

Filippo Gabbiani

Founder and Principal Architect, Kokaistudios

Born in Venice, Italy, Filippo Gabbiani developed very early a multidisciplinary interest for art and design. Upon graduating from the University of Architecture Venice, he began work on a European Community sponsored research project on the usage of alternative energies in architecture and worked in several countries in Europe and in the U.S.A. cooperating with prestigious firms of architecture, interior and industrial design before meeting Andrea Destefanis with whom he founded Kokaistudios in 2000.

Sonia Gagné

Design VP, Principal Partner, Architect, Provencher_Roy

A partner at Provencher_Roy since 2010, Sonia Gagné has acquired thirty-some years of experience as an architect, including 17 years with the firm. A seasoned, visionary, and top-notch designer, she has been part of the team of directors managing the firm since 2021. Sonia has been rewarded on several occasions for her leadership excellence, particularly at the 2021 Female Frontier Awards, and through numerous winning architectural competition proposals for which she has led the design team, like the Port of Montréal Tower.

In addition to being at the helm of different civic and urban projects of varying scales, including the revitalization of Sainte-Catherine Street West in Montréal, Sonia pushes the limits of an innovative approach and interdisciplinary reflection attuned to a continually evolving social and urban context. Her expertise spans the health care (Hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur), cultural (Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion expansion at the MMFA), education (Giant Steps School for autistic students), transportation (Vendôme Metro Aedicule and Port of Montréal Tower), commercial/office space (lg2 offices), and sporting infrastructures (Colisée Vidéotron) fields.

Regardless of the type and scale of her interventions, Sonia envisions architecture as a powerful tool functioning as a catalyst for conveying nuanced realities and reinforcing the identity of a place, while stimulating dynamic and enduring citizen appropriation. Actively involved in her field, she joined the honorary committee for the annual Gala of La rue des Femmes in 2021, and currently sits on the boards of directors of Montréal centre-ville and Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal. Sonia is also regularly invited as a jury member for architectural competitions within Québec and elsewhere, and participates as a guest panelist at various university conferences and round table events.

Marcio Kogan

Founder, Studio MK27

Marcio Kogan is the founding architect and mentor of the entire Studio MK27 team. Born in São Paulo’s vibrant chaos, he graduated from FAU-Mackenzie in 1976. He is a guest professor at the Politecnico di Milano and Escola da Cidade, where he earned a master’s degree in “Education, Society, and Culture.” Initially working as a film director, after completing his first feature film in 1988, he went bankrupt and had to “settle” for a career in architecture. Kogan is the author of all Studio MK27’s projects and an honorary member of the AIA, as well as a board member of MASP and MUBE. He is firmly convinced that a good cotoletta alla Milanese is more important than architecture.

Studio MK27 located in the chaotic city of São Paulo, was founded in the late 70’s by architect Marcio Kogan and today comprises 50 architects and various collaborators worldwide. The team, deeply inspired by the Brazilian modernist generation, is committed to rethinking and continuing this iconic architectural movement. Studio MK27’s projects are defined by their formal simplicity, executed with meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Kogan is an honorary member of the AIA (American Institute of Architecture), Professor at Politecnico di Milano and on the board of the Museum of Art of São Paulo (MASP) and the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture and Ecology (MUBE). He leads a team of architects who, for the most part, have been working with him for over a decade.

Since 2001, when a system of co-creation and collaborative work was introduced, Studio MK27 has won more than 250 national and international awards; in 2012, Studio MK27 proudly represented Brazil at the Venice Biennale. The team has lectured and conducted workshops at prestigious institutions, including the Royal Academy of Arts, AIA, Société Française des Architectes, Clubovka, FAUUSP, FAU Mackenzie, FAAP, Politecnico di Milano, Mantova, Porto Academy, Verona, Valencia, South Florida, Rice, Texas, Cornell and Yale, among others.

Instagram: @studiomk27

Michael Magill

Global Creative Design Lead & Managing Director, RSP

Michael Magill is the Global Design Lead and Managing Director at RSP Dubai. Driving the company with his innovative vision and creative expertise. Throughout his career, Michael has won numerous awards, such as Best Architect in the Middle East for three consecutive years. Cementing his status as an international design icon.

Under Michael’s visionary guidance, RSP has evolved into a powerhouse of innovation and creativity in the Middle East. His exceptional design abilities, along with his passion for mentoring the next generation of award-winning designers, are the force behind the team’s remarkable success. Michael Magill has an artistic vision that is shaped by his love for creating designs that push conventional boundaries. His work continues to set new benchmarks within the industry, blending aesthetic genius with functional designs.

Michael‘s portfolio boasts an impressive number of high-profile projects that highlight his design expertise and creative spirit. Among his most noteworthy projects is the BAPS Hindu Mandir Complex in Abu Dhabi. A project that harmoniously blends traditional Hinduism traditions with Arabian influences. Additionally, the Nakheel Mall & St. Regis project is a testament to his ability to create vibrant, multifunctional spaces. Similarly, the Ellington Beach House is a prime example. Showcasing how his design expertise can effectively create sophisticated, yet serene environments. One of Michael’s most recent projects is the Nobu Hotel & Residences in Abu Dhabi. This project highlights his skill in crafting dynamic, high-end hospitality spaces. But it also exemplifies his ability to embody a brand’s vision, effectively bringing it to life. Each of these projects exemplifies Michael’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and setting new standards within the industry.

LinkedIn: Michael Magill

Andy Fisher

Founder, AFW

Andy Fisher is an architect with over 30 years of international experience across Europe and Asia. Since founding AFW in 2004, he has guided the studio into a respected design-led consultancy, known for delivering distinctive, contextually sensitive solutions across hospitality, mixed-use, residential, commercial, and retail sectors. His portfolio includes major hotel and resort developments for leading international brands, alongside large-scale urban projects.

Andy’s work is rooted in a commitment to design excellence, environmental responsiveness, and cultural sensitivity—particularly in diverse regional contexts. Under his leadership, AFW has grown into a collaborative, boutique practice that combines global insight with local relevance.

In addition to practice, Andy is an active contributor to the international design discourse. He has spoken at the Design Perspective Conference in Bangalore and was featured in Buildner’s webinar series on global design firms. He also lectures regularly at universities in Singapore on topics such as sustaining an architectural practice abroad.

Andy is also a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Society of Interior Designers Singapore.

LinkedIn: Andy Fisher

Pablo Bofill

CEO, Bofill Taller de Arquitectura

Pablo’s approach at the Taller de Arquitectura balances a respect for its history with an openness to new ideas. As the group has expanded in recent years, it has also returned to a structure more in line with its original emphasis on interdisciplinary and collaborative design. In building the team, Pablo values personal insight alongside professional experience, encouraging diverse contributions across projects. His ongoing focus on craftsmanship helps ensure that quality remains integral to the work.

Alborz Mohammadi

Chief Architect, Bofill Taller de Arquitectura

Since joining Taller in 2017, I have led conceptual and schematic design for projects and competitions in multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, Albania, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Georgia, China, Russia, and India. I also develop independent work in Iran and Spain, focusing on design innovation. With a bachelor’s from Shiraz Azad University and a master’s from the Politecnico di Milano, I approach architecture as both a collaborative and personal practice, grounded in teamwork, dialogue, and shared ideas.

Instagram: @alborz.mhd

Jie Guo

Founder, ENJOYDESIGN

Jie Guo graduated from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. He is a founding member of the China Luxury Residential Designers Club, Vice President of the Guangdong Environment Association, and a guest lecturer at Guangdong University of Technology. In 2019, he received the national-level DDF Award – Top 10 Outstanding Youths in China’s Interior Decoration Design Industry, and was also listed in the 2019 – 2020 40 UNDER 40 Outstanding Young Chinese Designers.

He has also invested in and built three commercial brands:‘S tea house, niconi cafe, and Joyous · Hunan Cuisine. Through a comprehensive approach that integrates spatial design, brand strategy, and business operations, he collaborates with brands to build a sustainable and evolving experiential ecosystem. Always upholding the principle of experience first, he adopts systematic operational thinking to break the boundaries of traditional business models, fostering a symbiotic relationship between brands, consumers, and spaces.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Guangzhou, ENJOYDESIGN is a professional architectural and interior space design company. Positioned as a “builder of high-quality and inspiring lifestyles,” ENJOYDESIGN offers integrated and customized design services across experience centers, urban showrooms, turnkey residences, model homes, project IP development, office and educational spaces, and urban revitalization. It also provides comprehensive R&D for standardized interior solutions tailored for real estate developers.

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