The Magic Ingredients: Why We’re Thankful for Pioneering Architectural Products
As architects, designers and builders pause for a moment of reflection this Thanksgiving, it’s worth acknowledging one often overlooked truth: Architecture wouldn’t be possible without the products that bring it to life. Behind every acclaimed building is a constellation of building systems, surfaces, materials, lights, finishes, furnishings and technologies — each one a vital contributor to the quality of the built environment.
It’s for this reason that Architizer’s A+Product Awards program is so vital in recognizing the most extraordinary design solutions shaping the future of architecture.
With the Main Entry Deadline for the 2026 A+Product Awards fast approaching on December 12, 2025, now is the moment for product manufacturers to step into the spotlight and gain global recognition for their most impactful innovations.
The Building Blocks of Better Architecture
From energy-efficient curtain walls to acoustically tuned finishes, the products selected by architects do more than fulfill functional requirements — they define the atmosphere, character, and performance of a building. They help reduce a project’s carbon footprint, endure harsh conditions, and create beauty where it’s needed most.
That’s why product innovation deserves its moment of gratitude. Without advancements in sustainable surfaces, flexible furnishings, or lighting technologies, our buildings would be less resilient, less sustainable, and far less joyful for their inhabitants.
Ben Lamp by Matthew McCormick Studio, Jury Winner, Decorative & Free Standing Lighting, 2025 A+Product Awards
A New Era of Innovation and Impact
Last season’s A+Product Award Winners offer compelling proof of the positive influence that thoughtful product design can have on architectural practice. Consider the Energy Efficient Timber Curtain Wall by Unicel Architectural, which rethinks glazing with sustainability in mind, or the Pleat&Weave Collection by Smith&Fong Plyboo, which transforms walls into textured, acoustic environments that enhance wellness and serenity.
Lighting, too, proved transformative. Luxxbox’s Kurtain pendant lighting and Matthew McCormick Studio’s Ben Lamp both demonstrated that sculptural form and functional illumination can go hand in hand — elevating interior spaces while conserving energy.
Jurors across disciplines applauded these advances. Architect Daniel Joseph Chenin noted how product submissions “emphasized sustainability and bio-derived innovation,” signaling a sea change in how manufacturers are balancing performance with environmental responsibility.
Energy Efficient Timber Curtain Wall by Unicel Architectural | Jury Winner, Glass and Glazing, 2025 A+Product Awards
Meanwhile, Alan Maskin of Olson Kundig was struck by the immediate applicability of standout products: “I found some submittals I could immediately refer to my project teams that reflect interesting product exploration.”
Why We Celebrate Architectural Products (and You Should, Too)
As an editorial platform built for architects, Architizer’s team is constantly reminded of just how essential great products are to the profession. They unlock new design possibilities. They respond to complex challenges. They shape our homes, schools, parks, offices and public spaces. In short, they’re the unsung heroes of architectural excellence.
So this Thanksgiving, we extend our deepest thanks to the manufacturers, fabricators and designers driving product innovation forward. Your work fuels creativity and enables architects to build with purpose, beauty and integrity.
Kurtain by Luxxbox, Jury Winner, Pendant Lighting, 2025 A+Product Awards
Enter the 2026 A+Product Awards by December 12
The A+Product Awards is your opportunity to be celebrated by the world’s largest network of architects and designers. All winners are promoted across Architizer’s global platforms — reaching over 4.5 million followers — and are featured in the next edition of the A+Product List, a go-to resource for specifying professionals worldwide.
If you believe your products deserve a place on the global stage, don’t wait. Enter before the Main Entry Deadline on December 12, 2025, and help shape the next generation of extraordinary buildings.
The post The Magic Ingredients: Why We’re Thankful for Pioneering Architectural Products appeared first on Journal.
