2023 Design Awards Judges

It is our foundation to celebrate the optimism of design, and its ability to positively impact our communities and our planet. Now in its 18th year, the Shaw Contract Design Awards program is our chance to look through the Design Optimist lens at spaces that inspire new ways of working, learning, healing, and thriving. 

Stay tuned for when winners will be announced in September!

Meet the Judges from the

Best of Asia Panel

These judges will be looking through the Design Optimist lens at spaces that represent the best of design from their region, along with those that consider our four People Together Planet Forever ambitions - Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

 

Adeline Khoo

Sennex Consultants, Principal Director & Founder

Singapore

Adeline, a seasoned and visionary workplace designer, possesses a wealth of experience that fuels her unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional design leadership. With a remarkable 27-year journey in the commercial interiors industry, she seamlessly collaborates with clients and stakeholders across organisational tiers, bringing efficiency and effectiveness to each project.

Adeline's profound emphasis on design thinking and innovative prowess adds another dimension to her creative endeavours. Guiding a team of talented designers, she harnesses their collective brilliance to create transformative spaces that inspire and elevate. Passion, creativity, and professionalism intertwine in her realm, crafting an extraordinary design narrative.

 

Paolo De Simone

WATG and Wimberly Interiors, Creative Director & Senior Associate

Singapore

With an educational background in architecture as well as interior design, Paolo has amassed nearly two decades of expertise in crafting captivating and opulent interiors for luxury hotel brands and resorts working on projects throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. His knowledge and proficiency encompass a diverse range of project types including hospitality, retail, food and beverage and residential. His most recent portfolio includes a set of high-end luxury residential developments in Palm Jebel Ali Island, Taiwan and Colombo, Sri Lanka.

His recent endeavors have been in the design of 55-keys Banyan Tree Resort in the Philippines and leading the design for MGallery Hotel within a unique and historical landmark in China. Fueled by an unyielding passion for crafting immersive experiences, Paolo consistently exhibits extraordinary creativity in his exclusive projects and his approach redefines the very essence of modern luxury, seamlessly transforming spaces into inspiring environments that captivate the senses.

IDr. Dylan Tham

Steven Leach Group, Studio Director

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dylan joined SL+A in December 2003, bringing with him a wealth of experience in both corporate and retail designs. One of his strength includes strategic and space planning & assessment of floor plate efficiencies. He currently leads and manages the Design Team in terms of workload resourcing and continuously improves the quality of design and ensuring that we exceed clients' expectations.

Dylan’s involvement as the lead designer of the Steelcase Shared Services has earned him the expertise and experience in sustainable design. His vast experience over the years has strengthened his credentials as an expert in the design of current workspace trends with successful integration of flexibility to encourage collaboration, sociability and synchronisation with the advancement of technology.

Simon Drogemuller

Orbit Design Studio, Head of Design

Bangkok, Thailand

Simon is the driving force behind Orbit´s enviable design track record. Coming from an architectural background, he has over 20 years of interior design experience with blue chip clients in Asia, UK and Australia. Joining Orbit as a partner is 1999, Simon has been responsible for implementing our exemplary design standards throughout a broad sweep of projects in commercial, retail, hospitality, leisure and residential sectors for blue chip clients such as Pepsico, World Bank, Microsoft, Cartier & Diageo. 

Simon´s design diversity and flexibility could see him concurrently managing a complex and demanding project for Microsoft alongside a highly conceptual project such as Bed Supperclub. His high level of personal involvement in each and every project and unique design versatility have been fundamental in attracting world class projects and long-standing blue-chip clients.

Yasunobu Kato

MEC Design International, Design Director

Tokyo, Japan

Currently the Design Director for MEC Design International, Yasunobu Kato has about 17 years of experience in the field of interior design, especially the office segment. He has designed projects for company branches of Mitsubishi Estate Group in Japan as well as other Asian countries.

Kato also has a wide range of experience in designing offices for foreign companies such as Morgan Stanley's private bank office and the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, as well as several other Japanese branch offices.

View all judges from the other Best of Region panel around the globe!

These judges will be looking through the Design Optimist lens at spaces that represent the best of design from their region, along with those that consider our four People Together Planet Forever ambitions - Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

 

Best of Australia & New Zealand

Wardle
Associate Principal
Melbourne, Australia

Cox Architecture
Associate Director
Sydney, Australia

M Moser Associates
Director - Head of Australia
Melbourne, Australia

Mostra Design
Design Director
Christchurch, New Zealand

Best of Canada

iN Studio
Partner
Toronto

HOK
Interior Designer
Toronto

Kasian
Interior Designer
Toronto

B+H Architects 
Principal, Interior Design
Toronto

BGIS
Director Programs BGIS Direct Interiors
Toronto

SWBI Architects
Associate Director, Design
Delhi, India

SPACE MATRIX
Studio Director Bangalore 
Bangalore, India

BEYOND DESIGN ARCHITECTS & CONSULTANTS
 Co Founder & Director Design
Mumbai, India

Concept Consilio
  Director Design & Project
Mumbai, India

Colliers
National Director
Interior Design Services
Bangalore, India

Best of Greater China

CCD
Exective Vice President
Shenzhen, China

ArchitectureFARM
Design Director & Partner
Shanghai, China

Virtuarch
Interior Design Department Director
Shanghai, China

Best of Latin America

USOarquitectura
Partner / Director
CDMX, Mexico

LP+A arquitetura
Principal, Creative Director
São Paulo, Brazil

Marriott International
Interior Design Manager CALA Region
Lima, Peru

MUSSA ARQUITECTOS
SOCIA FUNDADORA
Santiago, Chile

Gensler LATAM
Design Director
San Jose, Costa Rica

Best of Middle East & Africa

Swiss Bureau Interior Design Company Dubai
Design Director
Dubai

Gulf Consult Kuwait
Senior Interior Designer
Kuwait

KOC University
Architect
Istanbul

Best of UK & Continental Europe

Colliers
Senior Architect
Czech Republic

Michael Laird Architects
Director Interior Design
Scotland

DDock
Senior Interior Designer
Netherlands

Habitaction
Lead Creative
United Kingdom