The main challenge, apart from meeting the demands of the client, was to create a building that fits two very different realities: one based on an existing urban environment dominated by vehicles, with wide roads and streets, and another based on a non-existent reality, a reality that we would create from scratch. A “domestic” and user-friendly identity, where one could escape from the outside world’s aggressive way of life.Early on that, the scale of the building would be enormous, so large that it led us to think in the same terms of scale when planning the façades of the building and at the same time, it led us to the election of large groups that, in tune with the rest of the building, would lend it harmony and calm.

The owners of Eco-house 3.0, located in Serra Espadà, Spain, had a vision of creating a sustainable, energy-efficient, and comfortable home using a prefab wood modular system. They wanted to leverage a 100% digital process to ensure a flexible construction that could be transformed over time if necessary. The challenge was to design and build a bio-climatic and technological house that would be respectful to the landscape, fully automated, and energy-efficient. The construction process had to be quick, clean, and precise, with no room for errors. The house was to be built in record time using a 100% digital process, which posed a significant challenge. The design and construction process had to be shared in real time with the client, who was located 300 kilometers away from the offices of NOEM, the design and construction firm.

The Yunshan Town Complex, located in the scenic Simian Mountain valley, was a unique project for the Shanghai-based Yuangou design agency. The team, more accustomed to designing urban complexes, was tasked with creating a two-building complex that would serve as the entrance point to a new tourist resort. The challenge was to design a structure that would emulate the surrounding mountains and local architecture, while housing an art gallery, retail stores, a wedding chapel, and holiday residences. The rural location and the need to reflect local architectural practices and natural elements presented a significant challenge. Additionally, the consistent rain typical of the climate necessitated the design of roofs that could effectively deflect rain.

Ikeda architectural design, led by architect Yoichiro Ikeda, was tasked with the renovation of 'Itoya', one of the largest stationary stores in Japan. The challenge was to simultaneously renovate multiple stores, including two main stores in Ginza, Tokyo, and another in Yokohama. The renovation involved swapping different floors between the two Tokyo stores while refurbishing all the floors at the same time. The renovation mainly consisted of designing new shelving and display islands, with the floor, wall, ceiling, and lighting remaining as they were. The schedule for the renovation was extremely tight, adding to the complexity of the project. The firm was uncertain if they could meet the deadline, and there was a need for a solution that would ensure timely completion and client satisfaction.

The Magoda Project was born out of a meeting between a Danish architect and a German doctor, both passionate about combating malaria, a disease that is particularly prevalent in Africa. The World Health Organization reported that in 2015, over 200 million cases of malaria were responsible for more than 400,000 malaria-related deaths. The challenge was to develop malaria-free housing in a local community in Tanzania. Traditional housing in the region often resulted in poor indoor climates due to lack of ventilation, leading to high indoor temperatures. This made it unbearable for residents to use mosquito nets, thus increasing the risk of malaria transmission. The goal was to create a solution that would not only reduce the risk of malaria but also improve the overall living conditions of the residents.

The Faith Lutheran College Secondary School, located in the suburb of Plainland, Queensland, Australia, was in the process of constructing a new library building. The project, worth $1.5M(Aust), was a single storey steel framed building. Fulton Trotter Architects (FTA) were engaged as managing architects to design, document, and administer the contract during the construction. The project was chosen as a pilot for Building Information Modelling (BIM) collaboration with a full consultant team consisting of a Land Surveyor, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Hydraulic Consultant, Mechanical Engineer, and Electrical Engineer. The challenge was to trial the capabilities of FTA and the consultant team to create a fully coordinated BIM. The intention of documenting in this 3D format was to resolve details and coordinate structure and services, with the aim of reducing clashes on site and time and money spent in coming up with alternative solutions to problems that could have been prevented in the design phase.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was faced with the challenge of providing temporary shelters for Syrian refugees. The traditional construction methods were not only expensive but also time-consuming and required skilled labor. Furthermore, the concept of using earth-bag houses as transitional shelters was not widely accepted due to the perceived quality of the end product. The team, mostly comprised of unskilled workers, also needed significant management and training to understand the construction process. The challenge was to design and construct cost-effective, durable, and user-friendly shelters within a short period of time, using mostly unskilled labor.

BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, a large, international, conceptual architectural firm based in Copenhagen and New York, was facing challenges with their existing Building Information Modeling (BIM) software. The firm, known for its innovative and conceptual architectural designs, was struggling with the limitations of their chosen BIM software, Revit. The architects found Revit to be too restrictive and incompatible with their sketching process. They also encountered difficulties in establishing a smooth workflow between Rhino, a 3D modeling software, and Revit. The firm was seeking a solution that would allow them to leverage the benefits of BIM without compromising their creative freedom and ability to produce new proposals and visualizations quickly.

In 2008, Bradford College embarked on a comprehensive redevelopment strategy, which was initially funded by the Learning and Skills Council. However, in 2009, the funding was withdrawn, forcing the College to reconsider their strategy and self-fund the project in a volatile and challenging marketplace. The College, with assistance from Bond Bryan Architects, devised a reduced scale development that retained the original aims of embracing educational transformation within a flexible environment, while realizing efficiencies in space utilization and providing flexible-use spaces to accommodate changing learning methods. The development, approximately 24,000 sqm with a construction cost of approximately £38m, was challenged to save £2m of Value Engineering. The project was further complicated by the need to maintain quality and vision, while also achieving exceptional workmanship.

The Zaryadye Concert Hall, located in Moscow, is a unique project that has been recognized as one of the best concert venues globally. The challenge was to design and construct a concert hall that would seamlessly blend into the landscape of the Zaryadye Park. The hall was to be placed on an artificially created hill in the park, and it was crucial that it became an organic part of the park. The design also had to accommodate a transparent glass 'bark' with solar panels, a pedestrian zone, and an amphitheater that seats 1500 people. The hall was to be covered with a hill, and the hill was to be covered with the 'bark'. A special microclimate was to be created under the 'bark', where trees and herbaceous plants were to be planted. The design process was complex, involving changes to the shape of the 'bark' and the relocation of the entrance. The hall's internal architecture was also challenging, with requirements for excellent acoustics for classical music concerts and the ability to accommodate modern projects of various genres.

kommadesign, a young and visionary company based in Viborg, Denmark, specializes in providing retail solutions, product design, conference design, and trade fair design. With over 15 years of experience, the company has worked with international brands such as adidas, Timberland, Menu, Sony, egetæpper, and vifa Denmark. However, operating in a highly competitive business environment, kommadesign faced the challenge of maintaining quality control over their processes and effectively utilizing their resources. The company needed to offer their national and international customers the best solutions and highest quality at the right price. To achieve this, they developed a four-phase model for their assignments, which required a tool that could facilitate the process from idea generation to implementation.

KOZ Architects, founded by Christophe Ouhayoun and Nicolas Ziesel in 1999, had been using 2D design software for their architectural projects. However, they found the process of designing a project in plan, then modeling it for communication, and making a specific model for thermal simulation to be inefficient and time-consuming. This challenge was particularly evident in their 'Tête en l’Air' project, which involved rehabilitating a social housing unit and creating 15 new wooden buildings. The project required a high level of detail and precision, which was difficult to achieve with 2D design software. Furthermore, the collaboration with carpenters, who think in 3D from concept to execution, highlighted the limitations of their existing 2D design tools.

MBMO Architects, a leading studio in Sydney, has been involved in several significant projects, including the major redevelopment of the Sydney Adventist Hospital (San), Notre Dame University Clinical Education Centre, and various mixed-use residential and student accommodation developments. The challenge for MBMO was to maintain their commitment to early project involvement and collaboration with all stakeholders while delivering excellent design and commercial outcomes. The Sydney Adventist Hospital project, in particular, was a $200 million redevelopment, which required a high level of collaboration and technological support to ensure a successful outcome. The project involved seven sub-projects, including a 13-storey clinical tower, a multi-deck car park, a new entry building, and a student accommodation building, among others. The project's success was crucial for the hospital, which is Sydney's largest and oldest private hospital.

The architecture and design studio Maese Luis 24 (ML24) was tasked with designing 'Residencial Poniente', a complex of 166 residential units in Córdoba, Spain. The challenge was to create a building that would fit into two contrasting realities: the existing urban environment dominated by vehicles and wide roads, and a new, user-friendly reality that the architects would create from scratch. The scale of the building was enormous, requiring the architects to think on a similar scale when planning the façades. The building was also a stack of small units that were repeated and multiplied, necessitating a custom workflow. Prior to this project, the studio had spent a year studying and analyzing various BIM software on the market.

The Akbank Academy Recreation Center (AARC), located on the Akbank Şekerpınar Campus on the outskirts of Istanbul, was faced with the challenge of revitalizing the existing bank headquarters. The goal was to create a mixed activity program that would make office work more attractive for the campus's 2,800 employees and improve their quality of life. The program was to include a variety of activities such as sports, culture, recreational facilities, and a mini market, which were otherwise difficult to accommodate in the immediate environment. The project was prestigious for Akbank, but it was also fraught with challenges. The design phase was under a tight schedule, and the architects had to deal with constant revisions, negotiations with numerous decision-makers, and obtaining permissions from local authorities. These issues persisted even during the construction phase.

Archicad, a software by Graphisoft, has been a popular tool among architects for over 30 years. However, many users are not fully aware of its capabilities, particularly the CineRender integrated visualization engine incorporated since version 18. This engine allows the entire project design cycle to be accomplished within one software program. Despite not aiming for 100% photo-realistic rendering, the engine offers a range of effects and options that can significantly enhance the quality of architectural renderings. The challenge lies in unlocking these less-studied functions and new opportunities to create stunning renderings.

Bamble Junior High School in Stathelle, Norway, was in need of a new building that would reflect the innovative philosophy of its architects, Spinn Arkitekter. The challenge was to design a sustainable, all-wood building that would serve as a place for learning, play, and life, while also being competitively priced. The architects needed to use efficient processes to achieve this goal. Additionally, the school building had to be welcoming and sustainable, reflecting the firm's commitment to using all-natural materials. The design also had to incorporate complex patterns on the exterior, a signature of Spinn Arkitekter's school designs. The dispersion of Spinn's offices across four locations added another layer of complexity to the project, necessitating a digital workflow that would allow for seamless collaboration.

querkraft architekten, a renowned architectural firm in Austria, was faced with the challenge of expanding the Liaunig Museum, a unique structure that houses the private art collection of industrialist Herbert Liaunig. The museum, which is mostly underground, is located in the Carinthian landscape of southern Austria and is known for its distinctive, 160-meter gallery wing. The challenge was to expand the museum by 2,500 square meters while maintaining the original concept of the building. The expansion needed to include a special exhibition hall, a space for sculptures, and two additional spaces for presentations and other purposes. The firm was also tasked with designing the Citygate Tower, a high-rise residential building in Vienna. The challenge was to design a building that was not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and flexible for the residents.

Weatherhead Architecture, a London-based architectural studio, was tasked with the design of a new town center, Butterfly Square, as part of the Allarp master plan. The design was to be pedestrian and child-friendly, integrating with the surrounding nature park and providing a series of spaces for various activities. The design also needed to accommodate parking without disrupting the pedestrian spaces. The design concept was to create a building that resembled the open wings of a butterfly, linking to the nature park. However, the design process presented several challenges. Parking requirements often create problems when designing pedestrian spaces. Additionally, creating a fully working Building Information Modeling (BIM) model that produces informative drawings and realistic visualizations was a significant challenge.

The 'Traditional Wooden Constructions of Europe – TRAWCOE' project, funded by the European Commission, aimed to develop an innovative educational and technical solution for vocational education and training in Traditional Timber Building. The project was initiated by EK Association and involved a broad partnership of construction trade representatives, architectural practices, timber processing companies, vocational schools, and non-profit organizations from seven European countries. The consortium aimed to create an online educational tool dealing with timber constructions of heritage importance selected from the countries of the partnership. The challenge was to develop an appropriate educational methodology while providing informal technological solutions for the key issues raised by each structure. The goal was to create a working prototype that could be developed for similar initiatives in the future.

The Miyanomori Elementary School in Higashi-Matsushima, Japan, was devastated by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The disaster resulted in significant loss of life and property, particularly in Nobiru, a suburb that was almost entirely destroyed. The rebuilding of the school was not just a construction project, but a symbol of hope and resilience for the local community. The challenge was to design a new school building that would uplift the community's spirits and provide a positive outlook for the local children's future. The site chosen for the new school was covered with dense, neglected trees, shrubs, and bushes, which needed to be transformed into a welcoming and diverse woodland. The architectural firm, Coelacanth K&H Architects, faced the challenge of creating a design that would serve as a backdrop to people's activities and not just as a monument.

In 2014, the architectural firm Coelacanth K&H was tasked with designing the Yamaga City Yamaga Elementary School, a project that posed significant challenges. The initial proposal called for a three-floor reinforced concrete structure, but the architects, Kazumi Kudo and Hiroshi Horiba, wanted to utilize the local timber from the region, known for its high-quality 'Aya' cedar. The client was initially concerned about the feasibility of designing a large-scale building with timber, especially given the project's size requirement of almost 9,000 square meters. The architects had previously worked on a smaller timber project, a 2,700 square meter kindergarten, but this new project was significantly larger and more complex. Additionally, the architects wanted to use solid wood from logs, not laminated wood, to take full advantage of the local timber production. This decision added another layer of complexity to the project.

In 2013, HDR|Rice Daubney of Australia and Obayashi Corporation of Japan participated in the Build Sydney Live event, a 48-hour challenge that required participants from around the world to design a new International Convention Centre for Sydney. The project was part of the specified 19 Hectare area of the Darling Harbour Live project and was run virtually using mobile technology. The event represented a significant challenge due to the strict requirements for design development and presentation materials, as well as the need for effective international collaboration between the two companies. The success of their collaboration depended heavily on their use of Open BIM and Graphisoft Archicad Teamwork through the BIM Server.

The Norwegian firm Arkitektgruppen Cubus AS was tasked with the challenge of developing the connection from Mo i Rana to the neighboring fjord and railway, both of which are part of the major transportation system serving the local iron and concrete industries. The main problem was the train tracks running through the center of the town, which created a barrier between the town center and the fjord, preventing any physical link from the town to the fjord. The town had two contrasting qualities – one side was open to the sea, while the other side was highly industrialized. This resulted in a range of urban and natural experiences. The economy of Mo i Rana relied mainly on the steel and concrete industries, which had a dominating influence on the built seafront, where the factories were located.

Goy Architects, a Singapore-based firm, is known for its holistic design solutions that span architecture, interior design, and furnishings. The firm's challenge lies in realizing their design concepts within the constraints of budget and timeline. The custom-made furniture, sourced regionally, adds another layer of logistical complexity to their projects. The firm collaborates with colleagues in Singapore, Chiangmai, and Bali on local and regional projects. Two of their projects, Shizukokoro and The Heng House, presented unique challenges. Shizukokoro, a five-room flat, was inspired by the concept of a 'calm mind' in Japanese and required the creation of an intimate landscape frame for the living room. The Heng House, a double-story terrace house, needed to accommodate a studio space for pro bono Pilates classes and be spacious enough for both intimate and large gatherings.

The Church of St. Martin, a late Gothic-Renaissance style building in Croatia, was left in ruins after the great earthquake of 1880. The church, which is a protected cultural monument, suffered numerous structural cracks and partial or complete demolition of its vaults. Over time, the church was forgotten and never repaired. The challenge was to restore this historic building and revitalize the entire area. The missing elements of the building, such as the tower roof and the nave, needed to be restored. The masonry, cracks, and foundations in the bell tower needed structural repair. The architects also planned to add a new, contemporary dome and a spiral staircase or lift for access to the tower. The main nave’s function was to be restored by adding cubes made from contemporary materials and architectural forms.

The TRX Public Realm project, located in a 70-acre district in the city center of Kuala Lumpur, aimed to seamlessly integrate into its neighborhood. The project's centerpiece is a 10-acre park designed across multiple levels, including the roof of a shopping mall. The park's design aimed to create visual and physical connectivity between the mall and the park, integrating it into the urban fabric. The park was also designed to be porous to the larger landscape around it, allowing for a public space that is fully integrated into the urban fabric. The project faced challenges in implementing complicated civil infrastructure projects, such as box tunnels with super-elevations, which are more challenging compared to other types of building projects. The project also aimed to reduce any possible redundancies and uncertainties that would eventually lead to project cost overruns.

The DVM Group, a prominent architecture practice in Hungary, was tasked with designing the Szervita Square Building in Budapest. The challenge was to create a structure that would not only fit in with the historic architectural styles of the surrounding area but also meet the stringent requirements for LEED Platinum certification. The design involved hundreds of curved and polished panels to create a gleaming façade, which required meticulous attention to detail. Furthermore, the design had to go through multiple iterations due to the site's prestigious location and the LEED-certification requirement. The complexity of the design and the need for sustainability resulted in an extraordinary amount of data, which needed to be managed effectively.

In 2013, CARENE, a Saint-Nazaire developer, selected Coste Architecture’s design for their Aquatic Center. The design was not only compliant with the program but also demonstrated energy and environmental proposals, and an innovative architectural proposal – 3 wavy roofs supported by poles. The challenge was to manage the project effectively, especially considering the technical innovations involved, such as the structural columns in seismic zones. The project also required close collaboration with water and energy experts due to the high environmental quality energy requirements of the aquatic center. The architectural proposal of three roofs in the form of waves, supported by structural laminaria shaped columns in a seismic zone, called for true collaboration with structural engineers specializing in Ultra High Performance Fiber Concrete.

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, a renowned public school in the District of Columbia, was housed in an aging building that was originally built in the 1890s. Despite several rounds of renovation and repair, the building needed a major overhaul to meet the demands of the 21st century. The school was ready to modernize in 2011 and held an international design competition to solicit concepts from leading firms worldwide. The challenge was to create a design that would preserve the historical elements of the building while incorporating modern features. The project was not only complex but also had a tight deadline that could not be extended.