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 Canada 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.
Anthony Orasi
iN Studio | Partner
Toronto, ON
Anthony Orasi is one of the four founding partners of iN STUDIO and is defined by creative excellence—he is a true designer’s designer.
He is a firm believer in co-creating with his team and his clients, having worked and delivered complicated and thought-provoking solutions around the world. As a complement to his creative drive, Anthony’s ability to connect with his clients and forge long-lasting relationships has been a key factor in iN STUDIO’s success.
Brooke Anderson
HOK |
Interior Designer
Toronto, ON
Brooke is a passionate designer who loves to connect with her peers and get exposed to new and exciting ideas. She has diverse experience working in an array of industries, including workplace, aviation and hospitality, as well as government, justice and healthcare. She is active in the design community currently as a member of the ARIDO Communications Committee and mentors ARIDO interns studying for their NCIDQ exams.
Brooke is detail-oriented, well-versed technically and a strong communicator, enabling her to effectively lead teams of designers and subconsultants to deliver projects successfully. She believes that recognizing other individual’s passions for interior design, architecture and engineering is a key component to creating strong teams that deliver exceptional projects.
Christine Stochl
Kasian | Interior Designer
Toronto, ON
Coming from a background in business and interior design, Christine’s passion for design ultimately stems from her passion for people. She approaches each project with an open mind, a creative spirit, and a focus towards building a strong, positive and collaborative team dynamic.
She believes the most meaningful designs are born from a deep level of understanding - not only of the project and its objectives, but of the people being designed for and beyond.
Stephanie Panyan
B+H Architects | Principal, Interior Design
Toronto, ON
Stephanie describes herself as a mother, designer, and lover of Boston cream donuts. But as soon as you meet her you know there is a lot more to her. Immensely creative, you might be surprised to learn she started out studying biology before shifting to interior design.
Her past in biology is still evident in her approach to design, however, as she draws inspiration from nature on a regular basis. She is passionate about using translate biomimicry to the built environment in forms and systems. Stephanie never stops learning, and is excited by the evolution of interior design. This evolution for Stephanie includes utilizing more workplace strategy in her designs. She takes the time to understand her clients inside and out, their issues and their targets. She is never prouder than when a client sees their new space for the first time and says, “This feels like us”.
Stephanie is warm, bright, and deeply focused on people – her clients, her team, and her family. She brings these traits to every project, ensuring they meet and exceed expectations.
Tara Mackenzie
BGIS | Director Programs, BGIS Direct Interiors
Toronto, ON
Tara is a skilled business leader overseeing a team of Designers, Project, and Relocation Managers to BGIS clients. Tara has over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry including Interior Design, Project Management, Change Management and Business Transition/ Move Management. She provides the strategic planning and leadership required to make projects of any size and complexity, smooth and risk-free while tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each client, business type and space.
Tara sees each challenge through multiple lenses, enabling her to deliver value-add solutions to clients in a variety of industry sectors bringing insight and management skills to all aspects of a project. Tara’s broad experience includes all phases of the project process as well as the development and management of numerous businesses. Tara’s unique combination of skills helps clients clearly define project goals and objectives along with developing an effective project structure and methodology that ensures all projects exceed client expectations.
Tara's education includes formal training in Interior Design ( BID ) , Project Management ( PMP) and Change Management ( CMP ) as well as continuing education in business and entrepreneurial processes
View all judges from each 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 Asia
WATG and Wimberly Interiors
Creative Director
Singapore
Sennex Consultants
Director – Principal
Singapore
MEC Design International
Design Director
Japan
Steven Leach
Studio Director
Malaysia
Orbit Design Studio
Head of Design
Thailand
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
HOK
Interior Designer
Toronto
iN STUDIO
Partner
Toronto
Kasian
Intermediate Designer
Toronto
B+H Architects
Principal, Interior Design
Toronto
BGIS
Director Programs BGIS Direct Interiors
Toronto
Best of India
SWBI Architects
Associate Director, Design
Delhi, 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