2024 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 19th 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 late August!
Meet the Judges from the Best of India 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.
Andrea Andreotti
Chief Design Officer
Ultraconfidentiel Design
Delhi
As an architect, visionary, and design manager, Andrea has worked on global-scale assignments leading design and architectural projects for renowned MNCs and Fortune 500 companies.
As Chief Design Officer and Board Member, Andrea leads design vision, strategy, and expansion in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
Andrea graduated with honors with an experimental thesis in Boston (USA) and started his career with various collaborations for different companies in Europe on projects of all sizes.
In 2016, he won the Fassa Bortolo International Award for Sustainable Architecture. In 2017 he founded Dachat SRLS, a Design and Build firm operating in Italy. In 2019, he was appointed as Head of Design, Ultraconfidentiel, and achieved various accolades including Top 30 Architects by Forbes India (2021), Most Innovative Design Firm (2021), and the Most Promising Company of the Year (2021).
Meenakshi Sharma
Vice President - Design Services
Vestian Global Workplace Services
Bangalore
Meenakshi Sharma has trained as an Architect and has over 19 years of experience with architecture and interior design practices. Meenakshi is involved in corporate real estate and large-scale multinational corporate workplace projects. Her client experience ranges across banking, finance, technology, start-ups, and media sectors.
Meenakshi strongly believes in continuous learning and has recently pursued a Design Thinking program at Stanford University. The successful, challenging, and enriching experience gained through this journey includes managing projects from different sectors, providing design solutions, conceptualising and supporting the execution of projects from a vision to reality.
With her relentless passion for aesthetics and meaningful design, Meenakshi has contributed meaningfully to clients like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Accenture, and CISCO Systems, among others.
Reema Bhandari
Director
M Moser Associates (India)
Bangalore
With over 15 years of experience in the design and construction industries, Reema brings extensive knowledge and unwavering commitment to every project she leads.
Driven by a passion for innovative workplace design, Reema skillfully navigates, manages, and leads each project phase, from and designs through project and construction management.
Through her approach and dedication, Reema consistently delivers exceptional value to clients, transforming their vision into tangible, high-impact realities.
Suraj Anchan
Director
rc architecture
Bangalore
Suraj leverages his extensive 20-plus-year career to deliver innovative, next-generation office spaces and strategic solutions. As the Founder and Design Director, he seamlessly integrates creativity with practicality while maintaining a steadfast focus on achieving business outcomes.
With a profound ability to guide clients through the entire design process, Suraj consistently exceeds expectations. His multidisciplinary expertise in architecture, workplace strategy, and design enables him to craft integrated and adaptable spaces that meet the demands of today’s dynamic environments.
Suraj has successfully completed numerous award-winning projects of significant scale and complexity. His strengths lie in his adept design and leadership of cross-functional project teams across multiple locations in India. His approach ensures that each project is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally superior, aligning with the client's vision and organizational goals.
By blending innovative design thinking with practical implementation, Suraj creates spaces that inspire and support the evolving needs of ever evolving businesses.
Vikrant Bhatkar
Director – CRE
DSP Design Associates
Mumbai
As a seasoned architect with decades of industry experience, Vikrant’s design deliveries consistently push boundaries, seamlessly integrating creative vision with data-driven insights and scientific optimization.
Vikrant brings his previous experience which includes roles at Space Matrix Design Consultants and others. Vikrant is a Bachelor of Architecture & Planning from Bharati Vidyapeeth, Navi Mumbai.
With a robust skill set that includes architectural design and more, Vikrant contributes valuable insights to the industry and his unique perspectives make him an invaluable asset in any organizational setting.
An avid marathoner, Vikrant is committed to physical fitness and personal growth. He is an inspiration to many a colleague and friend for his sporty pursuits.
View all judges from each Best of Region panel around the globe!
Best of Asia
Cheng Chung Design PTE Ltd.
Senior Vice President
Singapore
M Moser Associates
Senior Associate, Design
Singapore
Interior Architecture 103 Co., Ltd.
Chairwoman
Thailand
designFreak Co.Ltd.
Founder, CEO & Design Director
Japan
Space Matrix Design Consultants Pte Ltd.
Director, Business Operations
Singapore
Best of Australia & New Zealand
Architectus
Senior Associate
Sydney, Australia
fjcstudio
Principal
Melbourne, Australia
Bates Smart
Associate Director
Sydney, Australia
Woods Bagot
Senior Associate
Perth, Australia
Monk Mackenzie
Associate
Auckland, New Zealand
Best Of Canada
Shearer Interior Design Inc
Principal, Workplace Specialist
Calgary
Zeidler Architecture
Creative Director, Interior Design
Calgary
Holland Licensed Interior Design
Founding Partner
Calgary
Arcadis
Associate Principal, Studio Manager
Edmonton
Best of Greater China
ZZT Industrial Buildings
Founder
Shanghai, China
Gensler
-
Beijing, China
ADM Design Co., Ltd.
Creative Director
Shanghai, China
Foster and Partners
Co-chair
Shenzhen, China
AnyScale
-
Beijing, China
Best of Latin America
Perkins&Will
Principal
Monterrey, México
Athié Wohnrath
Concept Designer
São Paulo, Brasil
Garnier Arquitectos
Senior Interior Designer
San José, Costa Rica
OARQUITECTOS
Principal
Santiago, Chile
Contract Workplaces
Design Director
Bogotá, Colombia
Best of Middle East & Africa
Gensler
Associate/Senior Interior Designer
UAE
THE Architects
Architect
Istanbul
Best of UK & Continental Europe
Morgan Lovell
Lead Designer
United Kingdom
Massive Design
Design Director
Poland
Habit Action
Creative Director
United Kingdom
The Fresh Perspective
Interior Architect
Nederland
Best of USA
Southern Methodist University
Project Manager, Registered Interior Designer
Dallas, TX
TMPartners
Associate Principal / Senior Interior Designer
Brentwood, TN
MKDA
Creative Director
New York, NY
CPG Architects
Senior Project Designer
New York, NY