Hosted by NPO Aoyama Design Forum(ADF), the "ADF Design Award 2026" has chosen Jannis Renner's work as The Excellence Award in the HOSPITALITY Category. Here is an interview article with Jannis Renner to introduce the award-winning work and the story behind the designing process.

©Tom_Maurer


Winner of Excellence Award from the HOSPITALITY Category, Jannis Renner

1. Could you tell us about your background as an architect?
I studied architecture in Konstanz, Germany, and spent a formative semester in São Paulo, Brazil. Experiencing different cultural contexts early on shaped my understanding of architecture as a cultural and social practice.
I joined ATELIER BRÜCKNER in 2015 and have been working as Senior Architect and Project Manager since 2016. Alongside my practice, I teach cross-cultural architecture and communication at HTWG Konstanz – which continuously sharpens my perspective.

2. Within architecture, are there particular fields or project phases in which you specialize?
My focus is on concept and design – translating narratives and cultural content into spatial experiences.
At the same time, I work through all project phases, from the first idea to construction management onsite. I believe a strong concept must remain visible and consistent until the final built detail.

3. When generating ideas, what inspires you, and do you have any personal methods or philosophies for organizing your thoughts and developing concepts?
Every project starts with research and listening. I try to understand the cultural background, the users and the deeper meaning of the content before developing form.
I work with images, quotes, sketches and physical models. Models help me think through space intuitively – exploring sequences, perspectives and atmosphere. For me, architecture grows out of the dialogue between content and space.

4. What kinds of creative fields outside of architecture interest you? Do you ever incorporate them into your architectural work?
Photography and music influence my work the most.
Photography shapes how I think about spatial sequences and perspectives. When designing, I imagine how visitors move through a space – what they see first, how views unfold, how light frames moments. It’s about composing space almost like a series of images.
Music inspires me atmospherically. It helps me think about rhythm, spatial sound and immersion. I’m interested in how materials, acoustics and haptics shape perception – how architecture can be experienced not only visually, but physically and emotionally.

5. Could you share the background of your awarded project and the process that led to its completion?
The Uzbekistan Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka was conceived as a “Garden of Knowledge – A Laboratory for a Future Society.” From the beginning, it was clear that this project had to become a spatial narrative about Uzbekistan’s transformation, rooted in heritage and driven by innovation.
The process was intensive and highly collaborative. Together with our client – the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation – and a multidisciplinary team, we translated cultural references, traditional craftsmanship and future ambitions into a clear architectural and exhibition concept. The metaphor of growth – from “The Soil” to the open wooden sculpture as a space for exchange – guided us throughout the entire development.
Receiving the Excellence Award is a wonderful recognition of this shared effort and the holistic approach behind it.

6. What kind of work would you like to create in the future?
I would like to continue working on cultural projects that foster dialogue and shape perception.
Architecture can create understanding across cultures. I’m interested in projects that bring people together and open new perspectives – both locally and internationally.

7. What are your impressions of ADF?
I value ADF’s commitment to promoting architecture and design within a broader cultural and international dialogue. As a non-profit organization, it actively supports exchange, visibility and global networking.
ADF creates meaningful opportunities for architects to present their work in an international context and connect across cultures, and that’s great!

©Josef Sindelka

©Josef Sindelka

©Josef Sindelka


ADF Design Award 2026
The "ADF Design Award 2026" introduced in this article is an international design award organized by NPO Aoyama Design Forum (ADF) for architects around the world. The results were announced in March 2026, with the Grand Prize awarded to Keisuke Koike (Thirdparty / K2YT), and the Excellence Awards presented to Jeravej Hongsakul (IDIN Architects) and Jannis Renner (ATELIER BRÜCKNER). This award is a major international design award with a total prize pool of USD 30,000 and features globally renowned figures from the architecture and design industry as jurors. Award winners are invited to attend the award ceremony held during Milan Salone from April 21, 2026, and are also given opportunities for international exposure, including the Milano Politecnico Graduation Project Award organized by the Milan Architects Association and a collaborative exhibition with the interior design company GARDE.