NAAW is a female-led architectural practice specializing in residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. Founded in 2019 by Elvira Bakubayeva and Aisulu Uali, the studio is on a mission to employ research-based and interdisciplinary methods of design to reflect and shape contemporary Kazakhstani architectural identity.
The studio also offers expert design services globally, providing distinctive and thoughtful conceptual solutions.
Awards and nominations
- Dezeen Awards Emerging Designer of the Year 2025 — shortlisted
- ArchDaily Next Practices Award 2025 — winner
- Architizer Awards 2025 — Special Mention (Best small firm)
- Archdaily BOTY Awards 2025 — shortlisted (Among 5 finalists)
- Prix Versailes 2024 (UNESCO) — 16 Most Beautiful Restaurants Selection — winner
- Dezeen Awards 2024 — long-listed
- Aga Khan Awards 2024 — nominated
Press
- Softer Volumes Cafes Vol. 02 (2025)
Six Coffee + Wine Cafe - Making Space Interior Design by Women, Phaidon (2025)
Fika Cafe - Видеть пространство, ByStorm (2025)
Fika Cafe / Auyl Restaurant / Pasta La Vista Bistro - ArchDaily (2025)
Six Coffee + Wine Cafe - Tasteful, Gestalten (2024)
Auyl Restaurant - ArchDaily (2024)
Pasta La Vista Bistro - ArchDaily (2024)
Broche Coffee Shop - Dezeen (2024)
Fika Cafe - Designing Coffee, Gestalten (2022)
Julius Cafe - ArchDaily (2023)
Auyl Restaurant - ArchDaily (2022)
Julius Cafe - Interior Design Magazine (2022)
Julius Cafe - Attitude (2022)
Julius Cafe
Team
Website by Utility First.
Portrait photography by Yulo Khan.