08/06/2026
21 years ago, we were asked to design the city of the future. Looking back today, we realize we actually did. 🌍✨
Back in 2005, at the International Forum of Young Architects (IFYA) in Nagoya, Japan, our international team from Bulgaria, Japan, and Mexico took on a massive challenge: how to turn the artificial landmass near the new airport into a sustainable, circulating ecosystem.
Our Grand Prix-winning answer was the ECHO RING.
Instead of fighting the artificial terrain, we proposed disconnecting it entirely from the mainland. We designed a true artificial island centered around an inner salt-water lagoon to actively regenerate the marine environment. Wrapping the island was a megastructure featuring continuous green roofs and multilayered terraces for residential and public life, all protecting the sandy beaches below.
But the real magic of the ECHO RING started before we ever touched a drafting board. The organisers from Aichi Prefecture asked local children to draw their dream designs for the site first. This profound lesson in building for unconstrained human needs is an approach we brought back from Japan and continue to fiercely champion in our public domain projects here at Arrogant Architects.
To celebrate the 21st anniversary of this milestone event—where we were mentored by architectural giants like Toyo Ito, Kiyonori Kikutake, and Itsuko Hasegawa—we have completely reimagined our original 2005 renderings.
Seeing these new visuals confirms something special: the ECHO RING was never just a theoretical workshop idea. It was a preemptive blueprint for the climate, sustainability, and urban density challenges the world faces right now. Knowing our design remains functionally and conceptually forward-thinking over two decades later is the real Grand Prix. 🏆
To my incredible 2005 teammates who have all gone on to shape the global architectural landscape—Masanori Takeuchi, Akinori Yoshimura, Kenichiro Suzuki, Sebastian Mariscal, and our very own Daniella Slavova—the dialogue we started 21 years ago is far from over. Let’s reconnect, remember that spectacular atmosphere, and create together once again. 📐💡
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/real-grand-prix-why-our-2005-vision-circulating-future-hinkov-ckrvf