The 2016 Architizer A+ Awards
Now in its fourth year, The Architizer A+Awards are the definitive global architectural award program with more than 100 categories and over 300 judges. The gala event in New York City is the signature architectural event during the city’s design week, NYCxDesign, and falls just before the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). Comprising diverse and innovative global projects from starchitects to emerging firms, this year’s winners represent the best new architecture, interiors, and products from across the globe. For the second year in a row, Empire was at the helm to ensure this event was a success.
The ceremony was hosted again with charisma and charm by John Gidding from HGTV's "Curb Appeal: The Block", and kicked off with a phenomenal and impassioned speech about the Architecture industry by Architizer CEO Marc Kushner. “The A+ gala is more than just a party. It represents a moment for us to stand up and champion our art, recognizing the transformational role that architecture plays in our lives,” says Architizer CEO Marc Kushner.” This year we are expanding the fame, creating an even wider set of categories, celebrating the buildings and structures that impact our world, as well as the products and material used to create them.” Over 500 luminaries from the world of architecture and design entered the industrial-style space to a red carpet and step & repeat, where event sponsor MINI showed off one of its spectacular new models. Guests enjoyed cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres by Cloud Catering while enjoying the ambient music played by DJ Javier Peral.
Attendees also enjoyed watching an extraordinary demonstration of the artistry of a watchmaker from partners Audemars Piguet, sipped on cocktails at a customized Sunbrella designed bar, and saw contest-winning architectural designs, all created in LEGO.
This year's biggest winner was Studio Gang, which was named Firm of the Year, and other special achievement awards were presented to Penda, Paul Goldberger, and Samsung, among others. A moving tribute to the late and brilliant architect Zaha Hadid was the highlight of the night and all were inspired by her legacy.
Empire is a premier producer of some of the world's most prestigious award ceremonies, including The Webby Awards, The Fragrance Foundation Awards, and was honored to be chosen as Architizer's production partner for the 2016 Architizer A+Awards.
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
