The 2017 INDEX Architecture & Design Awards (IADA), hosted by one of the UAE’s renowned interior design exhibition INDEX Design Series, expects to gather over 300 industry professionals at the Cavalli Club, Dubai on May 23, 2017 to recognize creative design talent across 15 categories. Hosted as part of the four-day INDEX Design Series exhibition set to take place on May 22-25, 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, IADA has extended the entry deadline for nominations (which was due to close on March 31) to April 10, allowing participants to submit their designs for review by the jury panel.

IADA has also revealed the names of the design professionals set to form the jury for the awards: Isabel Pintado, Senior Vice President and MD, Wilson Associates, Laura Bielecki, Senior Manager of Interior Design, Ellington, George Kahler, founder, KAHLER Design, Christopher Seymour, Regional Development Director, Mott MacDonald, Sharon Jutla, Middle East Design Director, Harrison International, Rob Canning, General Manager, SunCoast, Massimo Imparato, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture & Interior Design, Canadian University in Dubai, and Annamaria Lambri, Associate Professor of Interior Design, American University of Dubai. The awards will be handed out across 15 categories such as Best Commercial Furniture Product Design, Best Residential Furniture Product Design, Best Lighting Product Design, Best Technology Product Design, Best Hospitality Design Project, Best Restaurant Design Project, and The INDEX Design Series Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.

In a statement on the upcoming awards, event director Samantha Kane-Macdonald said: “Every year we are flooded with truly extraordinary entries incorporating all forms of design, and 2017 has been no different. The quality of submissions so far has been truly mind-blowing, as the notoriously bold ambitions of our ever-expanding design community continue to shape the region into an inspiring design environment rivaling anywhere in the world.” One of the IADA judges Sharon Jutla added: “Being a judge is hugely exciting. To be able to examine the finest design innovations from across the UAE and reward those responsible is an incredible honor.”

Established in 1990, INDEX Design Series, organized by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa, showcases a line up of innovative products and solutions across sectors such as residential, retail, hospitality, educational, commercial, healthcare properties.

For further information and to enter the awards, visit the official website here.