Global architecture and design practice, Aedas, has blitzed the A&D Awards 2025, collecting 10 awards, including three Gold, and the ultimate accolade of Practice of the Year.

A delighted Aedas Chairman Keith Griffiths describes the win as “an incredible honour”. “This recognition is important to us because it reflects the creativity, commitment, and passion that our entire team brought to every project over the past year.”

“It celebrates not only the architecture we design, but also the principles that drive our work — our commitment to design excellence, continuous innovation, and creating environments that enriches the lives of the communities we serve.”

A perfect illustration of those principles at work is Yohoo Museum, pictured above, which has quickly become an iconic landmark and popular interactive space for the residents of Hangzhou city.

A deserving winner of the Gold Award for Architecture – Best Cultural project, the design gives the impression of two interlocking jade rings, symbolising the connection between the ancient culture of Liangzhu and the modern Grand Canal.

Aedas Global Design Principal Ken Wai describes it as a “building without boundary” By using a single steel frame structure, the building appears to defy gravity, rising gently at opposite ends without visible support. Much of the façade is wrapped in bespoke translucent “emerald glass” meticulously engineered to balance crystal-like clarity with the warm, gentle luminescence of jade.

But beyond these sculptural elements, the museum (pictured above) has been embraced by the local community as a dynamic public space for art exhibitions, community performances, and a playground for families, often featuring as a photo backdrop on social media platforms.

As the project statement notes, the Yohoo Museum stands not just as a landmark, but as a testament to how cultural architecture can foster belonging, celebrate identity, and enrich the daily life of the city it serves.

Aedas’ two other Gold Award-winning projects were for Future Developments: Trojena Ski Village for Architecture – Mixed Use and the NSDC Nansha Hengli Island Futures Industrial Park for Architecture – Commercial.

The client’s brief for the ski village, part of the ambitious Neom tourism destination in Saudi Arabia, called for a forward-thinking, mixed-use resort complex that brings together hospitality, adventure sports, retail, dining, and residential experiences within a dramatic natural setting.

Aedas’ creative solution was to design the village as a vibrant, all-season destination (shown above) rather than a conventional winter sports hub. The design accommodates seasonal events, festivals, and evening activations, while allowing the place to evolve over time with changing user needs and environmental conditions.

The Nansha Futures Industrial Park stands as the cornerstone of Nansha, China’s pioneering 100 billion RMB international financial island. Moving beyond the standard industrial design, the project (pictured below) forges a dynamic industry-work-life ecosystem, actively drawing global financial talent and institutions to the island.

Drawing deep inspiration from the surrounding landscape and Nansha’s evolving skyline, the architecture masterfully weaves oriental heritage with contemporary minimalism. A key innovation lies in its spatial strategy, striking a thoughtful balance between vibrant public areas and focused industrial functions. Towers soar above 30 meters with sleek modernity, while the lower levels engage the streetscape with intricate Lingnan-inspired details, creating a welcoming, human-scaled environment.

Keith Griffiths says the secret to Aedas’ success lies in its approach. “At Aedas, we believe that meaningful design begins with a profound understanding the social and cultural contexts that shape each place,” he says. “This community-centric approach shapes the way we work and pushes us to design with purpose, to deliver architecture that is both meaningful and impactful.”