Change swept across the political and economic landscape this year but has yet to make a significant imprint on the sphere of architecture. Rather than charting new courses or promoting new concepts of design, emerging architects—who are usually the ones at the forefront of new developments in their profession—seemed more intent on refining their craft. None of the firms in this year’s Design Vanguard tried to overturn the current order or present a radically new vision of architecture. No bomb-throwers here.

What these firms did instead was explore form and context, materiality and construction. Reflecting the busy times in which they have been working, they built a lot and created some stunning projects: houses that provoke thought while satisfying the senses, places for art that engage visitors, new buildings that initiate dialogues with old ones. Although relatively young, the architects have developed bodies of work with significant numbers of completed projects—from small installations for exhibitions to major public buildings. Several of the firms have multicultural backgrounds and are working in more than one country. Others have studied abroad, then returned home with their intellectual horizons expanded. Globalization has become a fact of life even for small practices.

As the financial meltdown of 2008 plays out in 2009 and beyond, construction will certainly slow down and commissions (especially for emerging architects) will probably dry up. In a year or two, the ratio of built-to-unbuilt work from our Design Vanguard firms may shift noticeably. That will bring economic pain, but it may also unleash new ways of thinking about and executing architecture for all architects, not only for the Vanguard. For better and for worse, a new economic order will shake things up.

Clifford A. Pearson

	Atelier Zhanglei Atelier Zhanglei rubs the universal against the particular to create tension. Photo © Iwan Baan
	BRS Architects BRS Architectes combines three approaches under a single philosophy. Photo © Roland Halbe
	Cadaval & Solà-Morales Cadaval & Solà-Morales moves easily between multiple cultures. Photo © Santiago Garcés
	Daniel Bonilla Arquitectos Daniel Bonilla looks at architecture with an eye for urban design. Photo © Jorge Gamboa
	Gianni Botsford Gianni Botsford develops high-tech tools to make buildings for people. Photo © Christian Richters

Design Vanguard ­  2007
Design Vanguard ­  2006
Design Vanguard ­  2005
Design Vanguard ­  2004
Design Vanguard ­  2003
Design Vanguard ­  2002
Design Vanguard ­  2001
Design Vanguard ­  2000