Director
Mag. Arch. ARB RIBA
London, UK
Johannes Schafelner
Photograph by Frederic Aranda ©
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Johannes’ major projects include the Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan and the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics, where he played a key role in the intricate roof design and detailing. As Project Director for 520 West 28th, ZHA’s first project in New York, he led the project from concept to construction, helping define a distinctive style for both the client and ZHA’s growing portfolio of residential and interior projects. His leadership extends to projects such as the Roca London Gallery and large-scale masterplans, including the Chengdu Unicorn Island masterplan in China, now nearing completion.
Beyond his projects, Johannes has played a key role in shaping ZHA’s direction. He served on the Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) board as a director, ensuring the practice’s commitment to its culture, reputation, and decision-making. As part of the People + Culture Committee, he contributes to office-wide management and strategic planning for the future.
Render by Frontop
Featured Project
The 67-hectare Unicorn Island Masterplan within the Tianfu New Area will foster the continued growth of China’s digital economy, creating living and working environments for Chinese and international companies.
Johannes studied architecture at the Technical University in Innsbruck, Politechnico di Milano, and the University for Applied Arts Vienna at Studio Zaha Hadid.
Johannes is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences across the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He also lectures and participates in critiques at leading architecture schools, including the Architectural Association (AA) in London, Yale University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Innsbruck University, and the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL). He currently holds a teaching position at the AA.
Outside of work, Johannes enjoys tennis, volleyball, skiing, and travelling to explore how different cultures value space and design.
Projects
Explore a selection of projects Johannes has contributed to since joining ZHA.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Residential
There is a powerful urban dynamic between the streets of New York and the High Line, a layered civic realm that has developed over generations and in many iterations. 520 West 28th conveys this contextual relationship, applying new ideas and concepts to create the latest evolution of the site’s rich history.
Courtesy of ZHA, render by MIR
Start-up exhibition and conference centre
Masterplans
A mixed-use masterplan for 70,000 researchers, office staff, residents and visitors, Unicorn Island has been designed to enhance the well-being of its community; its design influenced by principles within the region’s historical natural engineering projects.
Installations + Pavilions
Samsung collaborated with ZHA and digital art and design collective Universal Everything, to present ‘Unconfined’, an installation showcasing the story of the Galaxy S8 that centres on the unity of design, technology and experience. Visitors journey through an immersive environment inspired by the new device, creating digital installations that bring to life the Galaxy design philosophy.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Legacy Mode : December 2013
Sports
Civic
A concept inspired by the fluid geometry of water in motion, creating spaces and a surrounding environment in sympathy with the river landscape of the Olympic Park. An undulating roof sweeps up from the ground as a wave, enclosing the pools of the Centre with its unifying gesture.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Culture
ZHA was appointed as design architects of the Heydar Aliyev Center in 2007. The Center, designed to become the primary building for the nation’s cultural programs, breaks from the rigid and often monumental Soviet architecture that is so prevalent in Baku, aspiring instead to express the sensibilities of Azeri culture and the optimism of a nation that looks to the future.
Photograph by Julian Faulhaber
Education
Offices
KAPSARC is a non-profit institution for independent research into policies that contribute to the most effective use of energy to provide social well-being across the globe. KAPSARC develops policies and economic frameworks that reduce the environmental impact and overall costs of energy supply and enable practical technology-based solutions to use energy more efficiently.
Photograph by Virgile Simon Bertrand
Grand Theatre, Small Theatre, Art Museum
Culture
The new Culture & Arts Centre by ZHA incorporates a contemporary art museum (MICA), an 1,800-seat theatre with supporting facilities and a multipurpose hall. Its organic architectural language is defined by pedestrian routes that weave through the site to connect with neighbouring streets.
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