AJ100 Innovation of the Year 2022 shortlist revealed

The category has been introduced this year to reward an innovation that has transformed an aspect of a practice’s work. This can be either a technological innovation or any other example of inspirational problem-solving.

Two of the shortlisted projects involve visualising technology. Foster + Partners’ Glaucon virtual design collaborative tool uses game engine technologies and augmented reality to create a multi-sensory experience that places virtual buildings onto real sites. Simulation includes sound, temperature, wind and the feel of the pavement underfoot as well as photorealistic virtual models.

Chetwoods’ initiative uses a 360 degree Igloo visualiser and an eye-tracking VR plug-in to measure emotional engagement with designs by analysing levels of interaction and physical responses.

Two of the shortlist have developed systems that enable increased use of off-site manufactured products. Hawkins\Brown and HTA Design, working as part of the COLAB Consortium with L&Q and Virtual Viewing, has been shortlisted for the DfMA Toolkit. This will enable housebuilders and their design teams to store portfolios of off-site manufactured products including house types, source materials and capture data.

HLM Architects’ Demonstrator Project delivers a proof of concept for the Laing O’Rourke platform design solutions in the residential and educational sectors. The project, consisting of a typical classroom and one-bedroom flat, demonstrates innovations in 12 products as well as a platform/system approach that delivers up to 50% reduction in embodied carbon.

The shortlist is completed by Striatus, a 3D concrete printed arched bridge developed by Zaha Hadid Architects’ Computation and Design Group with the Block Research Group at ETH Zurich. The 16 x 12m footbridge was assembled without mortar or reinforcement.

This award is new in 2022. Last year Zaha Hadid Architects (with AKT II and Hilson Moran), Bryden Wood, HLM Architects and Chetwoods were all shortlisted for the AJ100 Best Use of Technology 2021 award.

The shortlists for all ten AJ100 awards will be revealed this week and the winners will be announced on 22 June at the AJ100 gala dinner – click here for more information.

AJ100 Innovation of the Year 2022 shortlist

• Chetwoods, for its use of AI, deep learning and computer vision to understand positive human emotional responses to design
• Foster + Partners, for the Glaucon virtual design collaborative tool
• Hawkins\Brown and HTA Design as part of the COLAB Consortium with L&Q and Virtual Viewing, for the DfMA Toolkit
• HLM Architects, for the Demonstrator Project for Laing O’Rourke’s platform designs for the residential and educational sectors
• Zaha Hadid Architects with the Block Research Group at ETH Zurich, for Striatus, a 3D-printed concrete bridge

AJ100 Innovation of the Year is sponsored by