Shaw Contract names “Best of Region – Middle East & Africa” winners in its 18th Design Awards programme

Now in its 18th year, the Shaw Contract Design Awards programme is a chance to recognise the spaces that inspire new ways of living, working, learning, and healing through the Design Optimist lens. 

Each entry was reviewed to select the projects that represent the very best of design from each region, using the following criteria:

  • Design process – clarity surrounding the design intentions and execution. 
  • Holistic thinking – creating a space for all types of users for today and in the future.  
  • Sustainable thinking – Consideration was also given to those projects which aligned with the four Shaw Contract’s People Together Planet Forever ambitions; Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. 

The 2023 Design Awards programme had 650 entries submitted from 40 countries around the world. All projects entered proceeded to the first stage of judging; where an elite panel of industry design leaders collaborated in each region to select the first ever “Best of Region” winners in the history of the Awards. 

We are delighted to announce that the winners of the “Best of Region – Middle East and Africa” are:

  • The Ministry of Tourism HQ, KSA by Allen Architecture Interiors Design (AAID)
    The Judges said: `Amazing story, all the themes are connected in an amazing way. The entire concept is spectacular. The sketches and the ceiling are beautiful. The narrative was well explained so we could really understand the design process.
  • South 32 Johannesburg by Paper, South Africa
    The Judges said:  ‘A sophisticated space, light and bright! Materials, furniture, and artwork selections are all outstanding. The selection of the materials pallet allows the various areas to flow into each other. The detailing is exceptional. ‘  
  • Monday.com by Roy David Studio, Israel 
    The Judges said: `Good mix of materials and textures, it feels like home. The space is warm and welcoming, with good acoustic. Employee’s wellbeing has been thought about. Nice common area, good choice of carpet going well with the furniture.’

The “Best of Region – Middle East & Africa” Judging Panel consisted of: Carina Lima – Design Director at Swiss Bureau Interior Design Company, UAE ; Lara Hollis – Senior Interior Designer at Gulf Consult, Kuwait; Tuna Hakan Ersavas Architect at THE Architects, Turkey.

Each Best of Region winner will now proceed to the next stage of judging, where a panel of international Design luminaries will award our Best of Globe winners. Best of Globe winners will be announced at the end of September 2023.