Supporting emerging architects who are at a pivotal point in their career, the Architectural Review Emerging Architecture Awards are celebrating their flagship twentieth year.

The 16 global shortlisted practices will travel to Amsterdam in December to present in front of a world-renowned judging panel at the World Architecture Festival.

O’DonnellBrown was asked to demonstrate a completed project – Swanlea Sixth Form in Tower Hamlets, London, a current scheme – Millport Town Hall on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland, and an idea – The Community Classroom, a self-initiated research project exploring what makes an inspiring outdoor learning space.

Both graduates of the Glasgow School of Art, Jennifer O’Donnell and Sam Brown launched O’DonnellBrown in 2013, having worked in London as well as Glasgow. Their striking garden studio on the city’s Southside now comprises a team of five, working on projects throughout the UK, with a focus on Glasgow and London, in a variety of sectors from residential to education.

Studio co-founder Sam Brown said: “To be shortlisted for an Award that attracts global attention is more than we could have hoped for. It’s a huge testament to our team that we are competing on a world stage so quickly. We are incredibly excited to travel to Amsterdam in December to present to industry figures that have inspired us throughout our careers and are delighted to be representing the UK.”

Co-founder Jennifer O’Donnell added: “The team work so hard to give each project the attention it needs to really create a positive contribution for the people who will use and experience our architecture, and to get this recognition, to feel like what we are doing has been noticed, has been incredibly motivational.”

The judging panel comprises Anna Heringer (Anna Heringer Architecture, winner of the 2006 and 2008 AR Emerging Architecture awards); Irish London-based architect Níall McLaughlin (Níall McLaughlin Architects, finalist in 2002); and Sou Fujimoto (Sou Fujimoto Architects, previous winner in 2006 for a children’s treatment centre in Hokkaido, Japan.)

The judging process takes place in Amsterdam from December 4-6. Winners will be announced on December 6.