Icon Magazine February 2016 Back Issue

Fresh from ringing in the new year, we’re looking ahead to what lies in store for 2016, presenting fresh faces making a mark on design and architecture, as well as established names who seem to be hitting new highs

Fresh from ringing in the new year, we’re looking ahead to what lies in store for 2016. For us, “ones to watch” doesn’t simply mean emerging talent – though fresh faces are here, we’re also keeping an eye on established names who seem to be hitting new highs.

In London, a city – like so many others – in the midst of a housing crisis, Bell Phillips Architects brings quality of life and sensitivity to affordable housing. In Rio, architect Ignasi Riera is the toast of the town, with his contributions to Olympic preparations. And, in Calgary, mayor Naheed Nenshi continues to push a thoughtful, well-designed built environment, including a new Central Library designed by Icon favourite, Snøhetta.

In the design world, we’re seeing a reinvigoration of typography. We profile Sandrine Nugue, a young Paris-based type designer who’s just started her career but is already educating the next generation. We also head to Johannesburg, where the city is moving to continue its rise in design, mixing successful trade fairs with design-led retail. And we catch-up with a London design it-boy, Sebastian Cox, on his exciting 2016 collaborations.

But there are even more names and ideas to be discovered, as we traverse the globe and look at those who will help shape the year to come. And a special mention and thank-you to Sandrine, whose Infini Bold and Infini Picto fonts grace the pages of our Ones to Watch features.