The past year marked many changes, but one thing remains constant: the power of design to inspire, to positively impact communities and to solve big problems. That’s what this year’s AZ Awards winners, chosen from over 1,200 entries from 57 countries, represent. Among them are a resplendent school for girls in Jaisalmer, India, which was built by the local community, a light installation that illuminated Toronto’s historic Fort York for one magical night, an ecological and socially sustainable reimagining of the Los Angeles River and its tributaries and much more.

On Friday, June 25, the AZ Awards winners and People’s Choice favourites were announced via a Winners Reveal, on our reimagined awards.azuremagazine.com website. All of the jury-selected winners and the Awards of Merit recipients, which also include a sure-to-be-classic cookware collection and the incredible adaptive re-use of Saarinen’s Bell Works building, are shown in this special issue of the magazine.

As well, the July/August issue includes stories on the brutalist-influenced Antoine de Ruffi School in Marseille, a Croatian parking lot’s transformation back to its former glory as a pedestrian-friendly piazza and the freshest spring furniture releases.

Spotlight on Kitchens

The best systems for indoors and out, plus stellar projects that centre the communal space

Stunning Surfaces

Vibrant new options in quartz, laminates and solid surfacing

Sitting Pretty

From benches and dining chairs to cozy loungers

The Presenting Partners of the 2021 AZ Awards are Caesarstone, Keilhauer and Landscape Forms.

The Sponsors of the 2021 AZ Awards Winners Reveal are Ciot, Dark Tools and Scavolini.

Media Partners: Archello, Archiexpo, Archilovers, Archinect, Archiproducts, Architect@Work, The Architect’s Newspaper, Architonic, Bustler, Design Week Mexico, Interior Designers of Canada, INDEX Design, Kollectif, v2com newswire and World-Architects.