Architectural Cases

In the evolving landscape of architectural thought, recent years have profoundly reshaped the discourse, with new voices emerging, previously overlooked regions gaining recognition, and a steadfast commitment to collaborative knowledge sharing taking center stage. As we navigate through 2025, these foundational themes continue to deepen, acquiring richer layers of meaning and discussion. Fundamental inquiries about who designs architecture, from what backgrounds, and under what circumstances remain paramount, increasingly influenced by collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts that extend beyond individual creative control.

Insightful Narratives: Key Architectural Themes and Projects of 2025

This ongoing evolution is evident in a shifted understanding of architecture—not merely as static creations but as dynamic processes intricately woven into social, cultural, and environmental ecosystems. Debates on agency, active participation, and the generation of knowledge persist, coupled with an increased focus on contexts often relegated to the periphery, such as rural, marginal, and historically underserved areas. Instead of fixating on a singular scale or geographic location, contemporary architecture is viewed as a fluid practice that traverses different territories, acknowledging the diverse and often unequal conditions that dictate how spaces are conceived, constructed, maintained, and inhabited.

Throughout 2025, these expansive discussions manifested in a myriad of approaches. Featured articles explored architecture as a form of collective intellect and cultural expression, intertwining with various artistic disciplines, performance art, exhibitions, archival studies, and curatorial endeavors. Other compelling pieces investigated how structures and urban environments adapt to varying climatic conditions, material limitations, and construction traditions, frequently drawing inspiration from indigenous knowledge systems, innovative adaptive reuse strategies, and experimental building techniques. Concurrently, critical examinations of heritage, modernism, and collective memory underscored architecture's profound interconnectedness with histories of resource extraction, colonialism, and prevailing institutional power structures.

Collectively, the articles chosen for this compilation present an architectural field characterized by its embrace of complexity over simple consensus, and its dedication to ongoing processes rather than rigid dictates. They traverse diverse regions and disciplines, oscillating between tangible building practices and abstract conceptual frameworks, and balancing principles of care, critical analysis, and bold experimentation. As part of ArchDaily's steadfast commitment to nurturing global dialogue and disseminating knowledge across varied contexts, this curated selection proudly showcases the 35 most impactful articles of 2025, meticulously crafted by our global editorial team.

This residential project in the bustling city of Seoul redefines urban living for a newlywed couple by making light the central element of its design. Given the challenges of a dense neighborhood and the clients' strong preference for privacy, the architects conceived a home that deliberately turns inwards, minimizing external views. This bold approach allows the occupants to experience light in its purest form, transforming the interior into a sanctuary where natural illumination shapes the atmosphere and character of each space.

Situated in a tightly packed residential area of Seoul, the property presented significant design challenges, primarily the need to shield the inhabitants from the surrounding urban sprawl while maintaining a sense of openness. The architectural firm, FHHH friends, skillfully addressed this by creating a structure that prioritizes introspection and the nuanced play of natural light. Instead of focusing on outward-facing windows, the design integrates various internal courtyards, skylights, and strategically placed openings that filter and diffuse sunlight, creating dynamic patterns throughout the day.

The house, completed in 2022, spans 103 square meters and is a testament to the architects' innovative vision. Each room is carefully sculpted to interact with light in unique ways, fostering a tranquil and private environment. The absence of expansive exterior views forces a reorientation of the senses, encouraging occupants to appreciate the subtle shifts in light and shadow that animate their home. This deliberate design choice cultivates a peaceful retreat from the city's ceaseless activity, emphasizing quality of space over quantity of outlook.

The project illustrates how thoughtful architectural interventions can profoundly impact residents' daily lives, particularly in confined urban settings. By rejecting conventional notions of outward expansion, the FHHH friends team successfully crafted a dwelling where the experience of light is paramount. This house stands as a compelling example of how a restricted site can inspire a design that enriches the interior experience, proving that a focus on internal dynamics can lead to a richer, more contemplative living space.

The architectural approach taken here emphasizes the profound connection between a living space and its environment, even when that connection is carefully controlled. It offers a fresh perspective on how urban homes can be designed to provide privacy and a deep sense of connection to natural elements, not through panoramic views, but through the careful orchestration of light itself. The result is a unique home that serves as a model for future urban residential developments seeking to balance density with serene, light-filled interiors.