Öznur Pınar Çer, the internationally acclaimed Founder & Partner and Chief Architect of MASK architects, has been named one of the Europe 40 under 40® Award Winners for 2023-2024.
This exclusive recognition celebrates the very best emerging young architects and designers across Europe. Çer’s selection among only 40 architects and designers from across the continent underscores her exceptional talent and significant contributions to the field of architecture and design.
Both founders of the firm have been recognized with the Europe 40 under 40® Award, albeit at different times. Notably, Çer’s partner, Danilo Petta, was previously honored with the Europe 40 under 40® Award for 2021-2022, highlighting the continued excellence and innovation fostered by MASK architects under their leadership.
Under Çer’s visionary leadership, MASK architects have achieved global acclaim for their pioneering work, including the Baobab Luxury Safari Resort—a transformative project aimed at addressing critical challenges in Africa, particularly related to water accessibility and community development. Winning project, the Baobab Luxury Safari Resort is the world’s first eco-tourism safari resort in Africa producing its own water from air, embodying the motto ‘Water should not be a luxury and should be accessible to everyone.’ This groundbreaking project exemplifies Çer’s commitment to innovative design that transforms luxury into a catalyst for positive change within local communities.
The Baobab Luxury Safari Resort not only creates a unique luxury residence but also seeks innovative, sustainable, and environmental solutions tailored to geological, climatic, and environmental factors. The project’s goal is to make water—a fundamental need—accessible to all and prevent hunger, thirst, and related diseases and deaths. Çer’s vision is to blend beautiful, attractive, and smart designs with technology to meet the region’s needs and enhance user experiences. Çer’s visionary leadership has spearheaded projects that redefine sustainability and innovation in architectural design.
Additionally, another award-winning project by MASK architects, the Eagle Mansion Signature Villa, was honored with the prestigious FUTURE HOUSE® International Residential Award for 2023, organized by Global Design News & The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. This signature villa, designed for Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, exemplifies dedication to futuristic residential design and functionality. The Eagle Mansion Signature Villa was also selected as one of the three finalists in the “Signature Mansion” international competition organized by Emaar Misr for its newly developed project “Soul Luxury Beach Resort” on the Northern Coast of Egypt, highlighting its impact and innovation.
The Eagle Mansion Signature Villa features the world’s largest 360-degree pool, serving as a breathtaking centerpiece with unique living spaces and panoramic views. This innovative design incorporates two distinct living styles: the public floor includes luxurious communal areas seamlessly integrated with the surrounding nature and offers a 360-degree panoramic view, while the upper floors (comprising the second and third levels) provide a private lifestyle. The two living styles are elegantly separated by the panoramic infinity pool, which surrounds the upper levels and offers secluded living quarters and exclusive amenities tailored for the client’s privacy and comfort.
Furthermore, both winning projects, the Eagle Mansion Signature Villa and the Baobab Luxury Safari Resort, have achieved yet another milestone by being selected as one of the “BEST 100” Architecture and Design firms worldwide by the Kyoto Design Awards and Global Sustainable Association at Tokyo, further cementing the firm’s commitment to sustainable and innovative design practices. With these achievements, MASK architects was also recognized as one of the “30 Best Architecture Firms” in Italy by Architizer, a testament to the firm’s outstanding reputation and impact within the Italian architectural community.
This prestigious recognition underscores MASK architects’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in architectural design. The Eagle Mansion Signature Villa, designed for Mohamed Alabbar, and the Baobab Luxury Safari Resort in Africa exemplify MASK architects’ dedication to addressing critical challenges through visionary design solutions. This acknowledgment by the Kyoto Design Awards further solidifies MASK architects’ position as a global leader in redefining architectural practices and pushing the boundaries of creativity and sustainability.
Furthermore ,Çer and Petta, both named Europe 40 under 40® Award Winners, are celebrated as inventors, architects, and designers, pioneering groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of sustainable marine technology. Their new invention, the world’s first 85-Meter Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht, ‘ONYX H2-BO 85,’ represents a remarkable leap forward in the yachting industry’s quest for sustainability.
The ‘ONYX H2-BO 85’ features onboard hydrogen production, utilizing a cutting-edge system that combines electrolysis with hydroelectric turbines. This innovative approach allows the yacht to generate hydrogen from seawater during short cruising distances, significantly reducing environmental impact and reliance on fossil fuels. By harnessing hydroelectric turbines to capture kinetic energy from surrounding water, the ‘ONYX H2-BO 85’ maximizes energy efficiency, surpassing conventional generators.
In essence, the ‘ONYX H2-BO 85′ exemplifies a seamless fusion of luxury and sustainability, setting new standards for eco-conscious yachting and demonstrating MASK architects’ commitment to innovative, environmentally responsible design in the maritime industry.
Notably, Çer and Petta, both named Europe 40 under 40® Award Winners have been instrumental in revolutionizing architectural practices, creating projects that combine architecture and industrial design with technological innovations, earning them the title of “inventor architects and designers.”