The Vienna based practice Najjar&Najjar was founded in 1999 Karim and Rames Najjar, and is renowned for its highly original work. Its designs are not only innovative and visually striking, but also highly functional - inspired by both nature and technologies transferred from various industrial domains.
Activities include designing commercial buildings, bridges, interiors design and furniture. A breathtaking villa in Linz was completed recently, and a project for the World Cultural Heritage Centre at the Danube nearby Vienna, following a won competition, is currently on the drawing board.
Since 2006, the practice has also been involved in yacht design. It has won an award for innovative yacht design concepts, and the affinity to ship building is tangible throughout the entire body of work. The practice has won several prestigious awards, such as Shinkenshiku award in Japan and Best Architects 07 award in Germany. The work has found recognition in a considerable number of magazines, newspapers and books around the globe such as Contemporary World Architects or JA. Furthermore, a number of works was displayed in various acknowledged art galleries and museums in Europe and overseas.
In 2008, Karim Najjar moved to Lebanon for a post as Professor at the American University of Beirut, now he and his brother Rames have decided to open a branch in Beirut to expand their activities to the region.
