The Architect's Chair shares results from third annual competition

The results from the third annual The Architect’s Chair competition have been shared by Buildner. This year, as always, entrants were judged based on the functionality, comfort, aesthetics, materiality, craftsmanship, construction, and versatility of their designs. 

Prizes worth a total of €7,000 ($7,600 USD) were awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners. Another €1,000 Student Award winner, €500 Sustainability Award, and six honorable mentions were included in the 2025 edition.

Buildner says it helps continue a tradition of design that has been a vital creative outlet through which architects are looking to "represent their unique style in a single piece of furniture."

The third edition includes a specially printed book featuring 60 select designs taken from the previous two iterations (the most recent of which can be viewed here). The results from the 2025 edition can be viewed below.

1st Place + Buildner Student Award Winner: Risus by Olivier Lacroix, in collaboration with William Deschamps from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

Buildner commentary: "The presentation is clean and effective, using three equally sized renderings or photos that immediately draw the reviewer’s eye. A slight variation in lighting and background colors adds subtle engagement, while the third image does an excellent job of showcasing the chair’s joinery and materials—an essential detail in a competition focused on craftsmanship. However, the first two renderings are quite similar in scale and perspective, limiting the variety of information they provide. While the central image effectively presents the chair’s proportions and geometry in direct elevation, the first image would be more impactful if it showed the chair from a profile or rear angle to offer a fuller understanding of the design. Additionally, the accompanying text could be streamlined. Breaking it into shorter sections or simplifying key points would improve readability and make the information easier to absorb at a glance. These small adjustments would further strengthen an already well-executed presentation."

You can read an interview with the designers here.

2nd Prize: Tom by Reggy St-Surin (Canada)

Buildner commentary: "This project makes a strong visual impact with its bold, single-image approach. The use of a large, strikingly colored yet simple composition ensures the design is both memorable and enjoyable to engage with. However, a few refinements could enhance its overall presentation. First, experimenting with a color other than black for the primary image might improve cohesion. While black is dramatic and provides a strong presence on the sheet, it contrasts significantly with the other imagery, creating a sense of inconsistency. A more integrated color choice could help unify the visuals. Second, the text hierarchy could be adjusted for clarity. The bold "Production" heading draws immediate attention, but the introductory text—where the project's purpose is explained—should be just as prominent. Adding a similar title to the introduction and increasing the font size or bolding key points would better guide the viewer’s understanding. Lastly, the text alongside the production images would benefit from stronger organization. Right now, it lacks hierarchy and feels secondary. Introducing subtitles, bold keywords, or italicized key commentary would help structure the information and highlight the most important takeaways. These refinements would elevate an already compelling and visually striking presentation."

You can read an interview with the designer here.

3rd Place: Balance Chair by Niklas Fiedler (Denmark)

Buildner commentary: "The project presents a strong primary image that instantly communicates the chair’s design and proportions. The clever use of a double image effectively highlights the two variations, making it easy to understand what sets this chair apart from others in the competition. Supporting this, the detailed photos do an excellent job of showcasing craftsmanship and material joinery. However, adding simple annotations to these images—identifying key joints, fixations, and materials—would enhance clarity. Beyond the visuals, the text could benefit from a clearer structure. A stronger hierarchy—such as bolding key concepts or breaking the content into distinct sections—would make it easier for the reader to grasp the chair’s design intent and unique problem-solving approach. These refinements would elevate an already well-presented submission into an even more compelling and informative entry."

You can read an interview with the designer here.

Buildner Sustainability Award: Bäuer:innenstuhl by Nicklas Coombe and Potter Esra Heuerman (Germany)

Buildner commentary: "The three primary images at the top of the page provide a comprehensive view of the chair from multiple angles, ensuring that a viewer fully understands its structure, materials, and craftsmanship. The contrast between the chair and its industrial background creates strong visual interest without overwhelming the clarity of the design. However, it raises a question—does this setting truly reflect the intended environment for the chair? The inclusion of production photos is a standout element, immediately communicating the level of craftsmanship and reinforcing that this is a realized, tested project, likely developed by a team. This tangible proof of execution adds credibility and impact. The text is well-structured, using clear titles and short, well-organized paragraphs with subtitles that highlight key points. One area for improvement is annotation. Adding callouts directly on the images—highlighting joint construction, materials, and dimensions—would provide additional clarity and make the presentation even stronger."

You can read an interview with the designers here.