With social media ruling media consumption, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the various platforms, profiles, and messages being shared. Platforms like Instagram are quick to keep the public informed whether we wanted it or not. However, with the increased abundance of screen time and endless scrolling through images and text, the dreaded content fatigue soon emerged. Social media platforms transformed into blackholes of continuous media overload.
The amount of time spent on these apps has sparked controversy and criticism regarding architecture's relationship to Instagram. However, the platform has also facilitated and expanded the understanding of media discourse revolving around firm work, digital portfolios, PR, and design activism. While architecture "viewership" has changed thanks to digital sharing platforms like Instagram, Archinect reflects on firms that use the platform as a way to communicate visually curated content for more than the infamous "like."
Whether it's photographs of architectural details, promoting work that celebrates the intersection of architecture and its adjacent disciplines, or showcasing visually stunning projects, we've curated a list of Instagram profiles whose content celebrates design in all its forms.
McMahon-Baek Architecture (Instagram Handle: @mcmahonbaek)
Why We're Fans: Led by principals Thomas McMahon and Janny Baek, the Brooklyn-based architecture studio has a diverse design portfolio that showcases beauty is in the details. According to the duo, "utilizing cutting edge technology or honing traditional technique, researching appropriate precedents or inventing entirely new responses, the goal is to work toward elegant solutions to the challenge, pleasure, and privilege of making buildings, spaces, and objects." Their profile is the perfect blend of behind-the-scenes construction with an ode to architecture details that might only appear during those "work in progress" moments.
MdeAS Architects (Instagram Handle: @mdeas_architects)
Why We're Fans: An architecture firm with a history of growth and leadership, MdeAS Architects (formerly Moed de Armas Architects and Moed de Armas & Shannon Architects) was founded by former SOM partners Leon Moed and Raúl de Armas in 1991. Since then, the practice has maintained its presence as a prominent architecture office in New York. With built works in the US and internationally, their firm's name was rebranded to MdeAS Architects in 2014 after the appointment of Mike Zaborski to the principal. Now in 2021, the practice continues with their design ethos of being a "team of progressive global creators with a passion for designing architecture that makes an impact." Besides their stunning built works such as The JACX, 3 Bryant Park & The Cubes, their emphasis on team development and mentorship aims to cultivate a workplace where people can thrive. If you're a fan of stunning architecture photography, team spotlights, and facade close-ups, this is the firm to follow.
SCAPE (Instagram Handle: @scape_studio)
Why We're Fans: The New York-based landscape architecture and urban planning firm walks the walk and talks the talk when it comes to design efforts that implement a socially conscious and "eco-sensitive" design approach. Founder and Principal Kate Orff lead SCAPE by focusing on "the practice of landscape architecture relative to the uncertainty of climate change and creating spaces to foster social life, which she has explored through publications, activism, research, and projects." A firm that champion's social and environmental justice, its profile includes project images, works in progress, and site plans that inform and visually captivate Instagram scrollers.
Isometric Studio (Instagram Handle: @isometricstudio)
Why We're Fans: Blending graphic design and architecture, the New York-based studio creates "empowering visual identities and spatial experiences." Led by Andy Chen and Waqas Jawaid, they emphasize the importance of shaping narratives by crafting "spaces of belonging." The influential design studio continues to make a name for themselves with their mission to challenge stereotypes and cliches often found in visual culture. "Our projects often address complex social issues, amplifying activism on gender equity, climate change, racial justice, LGBT identity, and immigrant rights," explains the firm. If you're an architect who's also passionate about visual identities, graphic design, and visual narrative, the studio's profile is an amalgamation of equitable design approaches that the industry could learn from.
Works Progress Architecture (W.PA) (Instagram handle @works_architecture)
Why We're Fans: Founded in 2005, the Portland-based architecture firm is a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) led by Carrie Strickland. With over 15 years of experience, the firm specializes in developing projects that serve the community through mixed-use environments. The environmental and socially conscious firm has produced award-winning works such as tandemDUO, Framework, and Slate. Their profile showcases a blend of works in progress, photographs of completed works, and window details one could admire for days.
Obra Architects (Instagram handle @obra_architects)
Why We're Fans: Led by principals Pablo Castro and Jennifer Lee, the New York-based practice is comprised of a team of designers with an international project base. Founded in 2000, the firm's design ethos aims to develop projects that are "both intelligent in construction and generous in living potentialities." By asking the question "what does the city want?" the office has developed projects like SanHe Kindergarten in Beijing, showcased their installation "Beatfuse!" during the 2006 MoMA PS1 and the ever so popular project Perpetual Spring, the Climate Correcting Machine. If you're a fan of drawings, watercolor paintings, and behind-the-scenes sketches, Obra's profile reminds us what makes architecture beautiful, the details.
Missed our round-up of January 2021 architecture firms to follow on Instagram? Click here to see who made the list.
Don't forget to stay up to date on all current projects posted by firms on Archinect by following our @archinect Instagram. If you're searching for a job and are interested in viewing the work of firms currently hiring on the Archinect Job board, don't forget to follow @archinectjobs on Instagram.
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