ABOUT US
Studio Toggle was established in 2012 by Architects Hend Almatrouk and Gijo Paul George upon graduating from the Universität für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna. The practice focuses on logical design and problem-solving techniques with a specific emphasis on Architecture and Urban Design. Studio Toggle believes in the balance between the opposites, that form follows function, that simplicity is complex, and that chaos can be beautiful. Studio Toggle’s expertise ranges from public-sector, commercial, residential and hospitality architecture to interior design. Operating from its studios in Kuwait City and Porto, Studio Toggle has successfully designed, supervised and handed over projects varying in scales and typologies.
Studio Toggle’s body of work has been acclaimed worldwide, as evidenced by the prestigious international awards won by the practice, including multiple American Institute of Architects Honor and Merit Awards and multiple Architizer A+ Awards, to name a few. In 2023, Studio Toggle was distinguished with the 'Emerging Firm of the Year' award by Architizer, along with luminaires of architecture like Sir Norman Foster, Neri Hu, etc. In 2022, Studio Toggle was named the 'Best Young Firm' and 'The Best Architecture from in the Middle East and Africa' at the prestigious Architizer A+ Awards. Studio Toggle’s projects are routinely published in prestigious architectural books and magazines, including Architectural Digest, ArchDaily, Dezeen, DesignBoom, etc. The practice continues to push the boundaries of design sensibilities in its spheres of influence.
2023
Architizer A+ Awards, Special Honor Award, Emerging Firm of the Year
2022
Architizer A+ Awards, Jury Winner, Best Architecture Firm in the Middle East and Africa
Architizer A+ Awards, Popular Choice Winner, Best Young Architecture Firm
2021
American Institute of Architects International, Merit Award: Project Khat – Al Ula, KSA
American Institute of Architects International, Merit Award: Project Jade, Kuwait
Winner, Residential Project of the Year, Identity awards 2021 for Project Jade
Featured in Architectural Digest’s AD50 list featuring the brightest talents in the Middle East
Dezeen Awards, longlist, Emerging Architecture Studio of the Year, Studio Toggle
Dezeen Awards, longlist, Housing project, Jade
2020
AIA Honour Award, AIA Middle East, Architecture Unbuilt Category, Project Khat, Al Ula
AIA Merit Award, AIA Middle East, Interior Architecture Category, Bean to Bar Chocolatier
Winner, Architizer A+ Awards, Unbuilt Hospitality, Project Khat, Al Ula
Dezeen Awards, longlist, Residential housing category, Ternion Villas
Finalist for the Al Ula Artist’s Lodge competition for the Royal Commission of Al Ula, KSA
Featured in Architectural Digest’s AD50 list featuring the most influential designers in the Middle East
2019
Winner, Residential Project of the Year, Middle East Architect Awards
Winner, Sustainable Project of the Year, Middle East Architect Awards
Finalists for Architizer A+ Awards in multiple categories
2018
Featured among the 50 most influential architects in the Middle East by the Middle East Architect Magazine
Winner, Boutique Firm of the Year, Middle East Architect Awards
Winner, Retail Interior Design of the year, Commercial Interior Design Awards
Finalist for the ‘Concurso de ideias para a recuperação de uma ilha na rua das Antas’, competition by Habitar Porto
Finalists for Architizer A+ Awards in multiple categories
2017
Winner, Young Architect of the Year, Middle East Architect Awards
Second Place, Boutique Firm of the Year, Middle East Architect Awards
Winner, Mid-Rise Building of the Year, Cityscape Awards
2016
Winner, Residential Project of the Year, Middle East Architect Awards
A’ Design Awards 2016: Silver Price for residential projects. F.LOT
2014
Nominated for the Aga Khan Awards for the Project Edges
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
