THE HALL
An exhibition by AIM (@aimarchitecture) and Yoko Choy (@missyoko).

Presented during Antwerp Design Week (@antwerpdesignweek) and Antwerp Fashion Festival (@antwerp.fashionfestival) at 12Antwerp (@12antwerp), AIM’s European office and cultural platform.

The Hall brings together designers, artists, makers, and cultural voices across disciplines and geographies into a single immersive landscape.

Furniture meets fashion. Jewellery confronts sculpture. Objects become carriers of identity, craftsmanship, ideology, and speculation.

More than an exhibition, The Hall exists somewhere between installation, salon, cultural forum, and social experiment, embracing friction, density, and unexpected proximity.

Join us on May 30 for the opening evening with drinks, conversations, and a first encounter with the exhibition and the people behind it.

Opening Evening: May 30 | 18:00-21:00
Exhibition: May 30 – June 7, 2026 | 10:00-18:00

📍12Antwerp
Kattendijkdok-Oostkaai 12, Antwerp

Participants:

A+N Studio (NL) / Aboli Bibelot (BE) / Aldo Cibic (IT) / Aoiro (JP) / Athos Burez (BE) / Bart van Nuys (BE) / Big-Game (CH) / Cédric Etienne (BE) / Cédric Jacquemyn (BE) / Christophe Coppens (BE) / Duyi Han (CN) / Emma Terweduwe (BE) / Esther Van Schuylenbergh (BE) / Filip Arickx – Nightfall (BE) / Galerie Alain Hens (BE) / Haus Of Hu (CN) / Ivania Carpio (NL/BE) / Janne Claes (BE) / Jin Kuramoto (JP) / Joffrey Conings – Hurse (BE) / Joongho Choi (KR) / Koen Van Guijze (BE) / Kuo Duo (KR) / Lisa Konno (NL) / Loïc Bernier (BE) / Magda Studio (BE) / Marie Bernadette Woehrl (BE) / Mario Tsai (CN) / Niceworkshop (KR) / Sae Honda (JP) / Secret of Manna (USA) / Shin Shin (KR) / STOF (BE) / Studio DO (BE) / Studio Emiel Brusselmans (BE) / Sun Yao (CN) / Thibeau Scarcériaux (BE) / Tom Volkaert (BE) / Unveiled Collective (BE) / Verstrepen Studio (BE) / We+ (JP) / Wim Pues (BE) / Yui Takada (JP)

Mariane Ibrahim announces a two-floor presentation at 12Antwerp during Antwerp Art Weekend (May 14 – 17, 2026). Across the revitalized Art Nouveau building, the gallery presents solo exhibitions by Raphaël Barontini and Slimen Elkamel, alongside a curated selection of works by artists from the program. The presentation will extend past Art Weekend, until May 24, 2026.

Together, these presentations bring the gallery’s program into dialogue with Antwerp and Belgium, offering the city a glimpse into the artistic voices shaping Mariane Ibrahim’s international program.

CHOPSTICK 箸 – A Spatial Dialogue by AIM Architecture

For Milan Design Week 2026, AIM Architecture designed the spatial experience for CHOPSTICK 箸, the inaugural exhibition by S—3 (@s3.site) curated by Yoko Choy (@missyoko).

Centered around one of the oldest and most universal objects in human history, the chopstick,  the exhibition brought together 16 creatives from China, Japan, and Korea to reinterpret its form, rituals, and cultural meaning through contemporary design.

Our spatial concept drew inspiration from Confucian principles of harmony, mutual respect, and interdependence, exploring how relationships between objects, people, and space can create balance through collective presence rather than individuality.

A big thank you to S—3, Yoko Choy, all participating creatives, Milan Design Week, and everyone who stopped by.

What if products were treated like art?

HARMAY Hopson One has officially opened in Beijing.

The latest chapter in AIM Architecture’s long-standing collaboration with HARMAY transforms the language of art storage and archives into a retail experience, where products are collected rather than consumed, and shopping becomes an act of curation.

More than a store, it’s a place for discovery.

Following the success of Zara’s Shanghai Flagship, AIM Architecture was invited to design Zara’s newest flagship on East Nanjing Road, one of the world’s busiest retail streets.

More than a facade, the project creates a new urban interface. The building opens itself to the city through a deep, porous frontage where street, plaza, and store overlap. A shaded forecourt offers a rare moment of pause within the constant flow of pedestrians, giving space back to the public realm.

Designed not as an image but as infrastructure, the facade comes alive through light, movement, and people.

The facade is only the beginning. Interior reveal coming soon.

As AIM Architecture continues to expand its global presence across Asia, Europe, and the United States, we are proud to strengthen our leadership team with new partners and associates. This milestone reflects our dedication to building bold, purposeful spaces that activate public life, bring communities together, and transform the way cities are experienced, while supporting the diverse talent that drives our vision forward.

Sacha Silva — Partner, Studio Director Shanghai

With over 20 years of experience designing and delivering projects across Asia, Sacha Silva leads AIM’s Shanghai office as Partner and Studio Director. His deep understanding of design and construction, together with his commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural relevance, reinforces AIM’s design excellence and forward-looking vision.

Yingying Chen — Partner, Head of Business

Joining AIM as Partner, Yingying Chen brings a multidisciplinary background in design, development, law, and entrepreneurship that strengthens AIM’s strategic direction and future growth. With a sharp eye for opportunity and a deep understanding of the industry, she aligns design ambitions with business goals, ensuring AIM’s projects remain both inspiring and strategically grounded.

Davide Signorato — Senior Associate, Studio Director EU

In 2024, Davide established AIM’s European studio in Antwerp, where he now leads our growing team. Combining conceptual strength with a sharp eye for execution and craftsmanship, Davide champions a design approach rooted in quality, precision, and culture. He is instrumental in bridging AIM’s global design values with the local contexts and creative ecosystems of Europe.

Victor Mongin — Senior Associate, Brand & Creative Director

Based in Chicago, Victor bridges AIM’s creative and strategic worlds. With a background in art direction for interiors and furniture, he brings extensive experience in hospitality, brand positioning, and visual storytelling. Victor shapes AIM’s public voice, helping translate our design ethos into clear narratives and powerful brand experiences that resonate with clients and audiences worldwide.

Shirley Woo — Senior Associate, Project Architect

Shirley brings structure and rigor to AIM’s largest and most complex projects. Leading multidisciplinary teams across master planning and architecture, she is known for her clarity, organization, and ability to build strong relationships with clients and collaborators. Her leadership ensures design excellence from the earliest concept to final delivery.

Ewa Szajda — Associate, Project Architect

Over the past 7 years Ewa has emerged as a driving creative force within AIM, realizing marquee projects such as Fotografiska and Zara Nanjing Asia flagship store, she blends her keen eye for detail with an understanding of place, culture, context. With a strong collaborative spirit, she contributes to the development of design concepts across teams and ensures the AIM vision for each project into its built form.

Wendy Saunders & Vincent de Graaf — Co-Founders and Principal Architects

AIM’s founding partners lead the company globally, guiding both our Shanghai and Antwerp studios with their creative vision and strategic direction. As the driving force behind AIM since 2005, they are deeply involved in shaping our design philosophy, mentoring our teams, and steering the studio’s evolution. Their leadership ensures that, even as AIM grows and diversifies, our core values, creative ambition, and commitment to meaningful design remain firmly at the centre of everything we do.

Our Studio in Europe: 12 Antwerp

The opening of AIM’s European studio in Antwerp marks a pivotal chapter in our story. More than a workspace, 12 Antwerp is conceived as a creative hub, a platform where design, art, and culture converge. It houses our European architecture team while also hosting exhibitions, talks, and collaborations with local and international creatives.

Through 12 Antwerp, AIM aims to bridge global perspectives with local culture, fostering dialogue between disciplines and generations. It embodies our ambition to shape spaces that are not only beautifully designed, but socially and culturally engaged, spaces that activate communities and leave a lasting impact.

Looking Ahead

We are thrilled to see this diverse group of leaders guide AIM into its next chapter. Their talent, vision, and commitment will be pivotal as we continue to redefine and reshape cities around the world.

The future of AIM is bold, collaborative, and more ambitious than ever!

We were in Belgrade for Arhitekta Forum #4, joining an inspiring lineup of voices shaping the future of our built world. The event brought together leading designers and thinkers from Zaha Hadid Architects, EAA – Emre Arolat Architecture, MAD Architects, and many more, sparking conversations around bold ideas, design culture, and the evolving role of architecture today.

It was a pleasure to connect with colleagues, meet new partners, and exchange thoughts on how architecture can meaningfully shape our cities and communities.

If you were at the forum too, we hope our paths crossed, and if not, see you at the next one!

More info here

We’re proud and excited to share that AIM Architecture has been named Designer of the Year by FRAME Magazine, one of the world’s leading voices in design!

This recognition celebrates our ongoing journey: designing spaces that challenge conventions, connect people, and create emotion. From Shanghai to Antwerp, from retail to hospitality, from cultural projects to living spaces, our work has always been about more than form or function, it’s about experience, community, and storytelling. This award marks an important moment for us. It reflects years of collaboration across continents, with visionary clients, daring brands, and a passionate team who share one belief — that design is a theatre for life, a stage where culture, craft, and curiosity meet.

With our new European office, we see this as the beginning of another exciting chapter. Our goal is to bring the energy, experimentation, and contextual depth we’ve cultivated in Asia to Europe, to shake things up, to question what’s familiar, and to keep pushing how design can engage with the world around us.

We’re deeply thankful to FRAME for this recognition, and to everyone who has been part of our story so far. As we expand our European practice and continue to explore how design can bridge cultures and shape communities, this award inspires us to keep creating spaces that are, in every sense, alive.

Read full article here

We’re back on AD100 China for the 7th year in a row! A huge thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey, clients, collaborators, dreamers, and doers.

This year, Cotton Park is taking the spotlight. A project that is more than just architecture. It is a living piece of the city, where nature, people, and culture meet in new and unexpected ways. We are proud, we are grateful, and we are just getting started!

Here’s to pushing boundaries, shaping spaces, and building what’s next.

The new Scan Magazine is out! This year, it’s in collaboration with World Architecture Festival Miami, and we’re excited to be part of it!

In the feature, we talk about how we approach architecture: not just as buildings, but as a way to spark life, culture, and connection in cities. From transforming flagship stores into vibrant public spaces to giving forgotten industrial sites a new purpose, our work is always about creating places that feel alive and meaningful.

The article also highlights how our projects across Asia and Europe are all driven by one simple idea: design should always start with people and the life around them.

A big thanks to Malin Norman for capturing our story so thoughtfully!

Read the online version here: https://scanmagazine.co.uk/aim-architecture-architecture-with-positive-impact-on-cities/

We’re excited to share that Cotton Park has been shortlisted for the 2025 Dezeen Awards in the Mixed Use category!

This project is a testament to how urban regeneration can transform forgotten industrial sites into vibrant, meaningful places, creating new layers of life where culture, leisure, and nature intersect. We believe projects like this show how architecture can elevate cities and create positive social impact, turning underused spaces into catalysts for connection and community.

It’s an honour to be shortlisted alongside so many inspiring studios and ideas. We wish the best of luck to all the talented participants!

https://www.dezeen.com/awards/2025/shortlists/cotton-park/

Read the article here

It has landed.

We’re excited to announce the opening of HARMAY Hongqiao Airport, AIM Architecture’s first airport retail project and the latest chapter in our long-standing collaboration with HARMAY.

Designed around movement, discovery, and travel, the store transforms a transit space into a bold brand destination. Its striking red interior and conveyor-inspired display bring HARMAY’s unique retail experience to one of China’s busiest airports.

And this is just the beginning. Following Hongqiao, AIM has been invited to develop the concept across additional airport locations.

Stay tuned for takeoff.

We were excited to be part of the first-ever OPEN STUDIO event, organized by in[ ]around design, which invited the public into the creative spaces of 30 design studios across Shanghai from June 5–7, 2025.

On June 6th, AIM Architecture opened its doors from 2pm to 8pm, offering guided office tours and an inside look at our design process. Visitors had the chance to meet our team, explore our work environment, and learn more about the projects we’re currently working on.

A big thank you to everyone who dropped by, and to in[ ]around design for initiating such a meaningful celebration of Shanghai’s design community.

Location: AIM Architecture, Shanghai
Date: June 6th, 2025
Time: 14:00–20:00

As part of the vibrant programming around Design Shanghai 2025, AIM Architecture joined STUDIO 9’s independent talk series, a platform for deeper dialogue on design’s evolving role in shaping culture and context.

On June 5th, AIM’s project architect Ewa Szajda took the stage for the panel “Old Spaces, New Communities: How Micro-Renovations Can Spark Greater Connections.” Ewa shared insights into how small-scale design interventions can breathe new life into overlooked spaces, reconnecting people to their urban environments. Case studies included AIM’s work on ZARA Nanjing, Fotografiska, and Cotton Park.

Location: STUDIO 9, 55 Yuyao Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai
Time: June 5th, 2025, 18:30–20:00

Thank you to STUDIO 9 for hosting this meaningful exchange, and to all who joined the conversation.

AIM Architecture took part in Design Shanghai 2025, Asia’s leading design fair exploring the theme “Design for Humanity.” This year’s edition brought together some of the most influential voices in architecture, interiors, and product innovation to explore how design can tackle today’s social and environmental challenges.

Our Shanghai Studio Director, Sacha Silva, joined the main lecture series on June 4th, speaking alongside industry leaders such as Neri&Hu, Tom Dixon, and Snøhetta. In his talk, Sacha shared AIM’s vision for human-centered design and how our work reimagines the urban experience to create more thoughtful, inclusive, and livable cities.

Location: 1099 Guozhan Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai
Time: June 4th, 2025, 18:00–18:45

David Shrigley – Make Your Mark AP, 2020

As we step into the Year of the Snake – a symbol of transformation, resilience, and creativity, we reflect on our journey of creating spaces that inspire, connect, and transform. At AIM, we believe that we can be the change. Every design we create leaves a positive impact on cities, shaping a better and more dynamic urban future.

Like David Shrigley, and always with humour, we make our marks in streets and places, striving to create designs that resonate deeply and leave a lasting, positive impact.

This year, we are excited to continue crafting spaces that bring bold ideas to life, from redefining luxury hospitality to creating immersive retail experiences that embody the spirit of the brands we collaborate with. Guided by creativity and purpose, we aim to push boundaries and craft designs that not only tell a story but also stand the test of time.

We wish you a prosperous Year of the Snake filled with inspiration, growth, and success. Together, let’s build a future as dynamic, powerful, and vibrant as this season of transformation!

With love, 

AIM Architecture

AIM Architecture’s co-founder, Vincent de Graaf, recently joined Julius Poole on his podcast for a conversation about architecture, spatial branding, and the evolving role of design.

Julius, known for his insightful discussions on design and creative industries, brings a fresh perspective to conversations with leading architects, designers, and thinkers. 

In this episode, Vincent shares thoughts on AIM’s approach to crafting meaningful spaces, balancing creativity with function, and navigating the intersection of architecture and brand identity.

Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52Fy8AgJw8m6nikRMMPry5?si=34cba2ef16824c16

At AIM Architecture, we believe that design has the power to transform the way we experience the world around us. Our passion lies in activating streets, places, and cities – breathing new life into underutilized spaces and creating environments where people can connect, thrive, and feel inspired.

This isn’t just about buildings; it’s about fostering a sense of community, celebrating the unique character of a place, and shaping cities that are sustainable, dynamic, and alive. Through our work, we aim to bridge the past and future, blending thoughtful design with bold creativity to create spaces that leave a lasting impact on people and their surroundings.

A few days ago, we brought this vision to life through the second edition of An Evening with AIM, held at Studio 9 in Shanghai. This program is one of the many ways we engage with the community to spark conversations about how design can reshape urban environments.

This edition featured a panel discussion on “Exploring the Activation of Urban Spaces,” moderated by AIM’s co-founder Vincent de Graaf. The panel brought together experts from different industries: Jing He, Place Brand Strategist at JWDK; Jemy Yang, Deputy General Manager of Product Development at Shui On Xintiandi; Alberto Sanseverino, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Inventi; and Will Wang, Co-founder and CEO of HARMAY.

The conversation delved into the evolving nature of urban and public spaces, the panelists’ bold visions for these environments, and the impact of design, branding, and community engagement in shaping tomorrow’s cities. The evening was more than just a discussion – it was an opportunity to explore ideas, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to create better, more meaningful spaces for the future. The diverse perspectives shared underscored the importance of collaboration across disciplines and industries, reinforcing our belief that thoughtful design has the power to drive social and cultural transformation while resonating deeply with the communities it serves.

Beyond the inspiring dialogue, the event was also a chance to connect, relax, and share ideas over great food and drinks. It was a wonderful evening that reinforced our dedication to creating spaces where people can truly come together.

Thank you to our guest speakers, attendees, our incredible host and client STUDIO 9, and our sponsors for making this edition of An Evening with AIM a memorable one. Stay tuned for updates on our next event – we look forward to continuing the conversation!

Mosaic of China / Episode 12: The Aimful Architect

Wendy SAUNDERS – Co-Founder, AIM Architecture

Buildings, buildings, buildings. There has been a decades-long construction boom in China, and behind every building is an architect. Wendy Saunders has witnessed this boom, and as Co-Owner and Principal Architect of AIM Architecture, has created a niche in boutique design projects.

In today’s episode, we hear how Wendy has teamed up with Chinese clients such as the cosmetics brand HARMAY to bring a modern European design sensibility to the consumer-centric world of retail and hospitality in China. And as you’ll hear from our conversation, she has done so with a healthy dose of pragmatism and good humour.

AIM Architecture is part of an exclusive exhibition curated by Dezeen at the World Design Cities Conference (WDCC) in Shanghai, organized by UNESCO and the Shanghai Municipal Government. We’re excited to introduce AIMCITY, our conceptual urban landscape that reimagines how cities can be revitalized through innovative design. AIMCITY blends past, present, and future into a cohesive narrative of regeneration and sustainability, demonstrating how our designs constantly evolve to meet the needs of dynamic urban environments.