The Design Middle East Awards 2023 were held at the Sofitel Dubai The Palm and created a history in its own unique way. Over 110 firms nominated and we received hundreds of nominations. Our systems were overwhelmed, and the Inbox was flooded with nominations from old and new acquaintances, as well as those just starting out in the field. This was the biggest and finest celebration party ever, and we want to thank you all for making it so–awesome!

The winners and highly commended from the gala night are listed below.

PROJECT AWARDS

BEST RETAIL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SHAKHBOUT CITY COMMUNITY MARKET JT+PARTNERS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: NEWBY TEA, THE FITOUT

COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: BAIN & COMPANY, ALLEN ARCHITECTURE INTERIORS DESIGN
HIGHLY COMMENDED: PIRELLI TYRES HQ, LLOYD DESIGN FITOUTS

DESIGN EDUCATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: NEW BUILDING DUBAI COLLEGE, GODWIN AUSTEN JOHNSON

LANDSCAPE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: VILLA KB, B8 ARCHITECTURE
HIGHLY COMMENDED: LAURENT & CELINE MEADOWS VILLA, SMART RENOVATION

LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: MBC AL ARABIA NEWS STUDIO, AMAQ

HEALTHCARE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SMART SALEM, KPS

SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SOLAR HOUSE, XBD COLLECTIVE

RESIDENTIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: BAYVIEWS RESIDENCES, JT+PARTNERS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: JIN010 LAKEVIEW VILLA, NIKKI BISIKER INTERIOR DESIGN

INTERIOR FIT-OUT PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AYA BY HYPERSPACE, DESIGN INFINITY
HIGHLY COMMENDED: LA MAISON ANI, BLUECAMEL

REFURBISHMENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: BAB AL SHAMS DESERT RESORT & SPA, KHANSAHEB INTERIORS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: VILLA MBR CITY, MUSEDESIGN

MASTER PLAN OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AMAALA – SIX SENSES TRIPLE BAY, U+A

BEST FUTURE PROJECT
WINNER: KETURAH RESERVE BY MAG
HIGHLY COMMENDED: EMIRATES GOLF HEIGHTS, KEO INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS

DESIGN & BUILD PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: COTERIE RESTAURANT & PRECISION FOOTBALL, AUJAN INTERIORS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: CONTEMPORARY MIAMI, CREATING HOMES INTERIORS AND CONTRACTING

CULTURAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: DIRIYAH GATE EXPERIENCE CENTER, ALEC FITOUT

RESTAURANT DESIGN OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ATRANGI, DESIGNSMITH

BAR DESIGN OF THE YEAR
WINNER: VAGA, 4SPACE DESIGN

WELL-BEING PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AEON CLINIC, ORANGE DESIGN GROUP

HOSPITALITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR (HOTELS)
WINNER: ONE&ONLY ONE ZA’ABEEL, ALEC FITOUT

BEST INDEPENDENT SHOWROOM (KITCHEN)
WINNER: NOLTE KÜCHEN SHOWROOM, ABU DHABI

BEST INDEPENDENT SHOWROOM (BATHROOM)
WINNER: NOK SHOWROOM, B8 ARCHITECTURE

INNOVATION IN DESIGN AWARD
WINNER: SAMANA GOLF VIEWS, SAMANA DEVELOPERS

COMPANY AWARDS

ARCHITECTURE FIRM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AEDAS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: DLR GROUP

INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: STUDIO BRUNO GUELAFF + BG GROUP
HIGHLY COMMENDED: XBD COLLECTIVE

FIT-OUT FIRM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ALEC FITOUT
HIGHLY COMMENDED: HAVELOCK ONE INTERIORS

DECOR RETAILER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: CHATTELS & MORE

BOUTIQUE FIRM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: BRAND CREATIVE
HIGHLY COMMENDED: FINCH

SPECIALISED MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SEDAR GLOBAL

BEST WORKPLACE OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AECOM

HOMEGROWN FURNITURE BRAND OF THE YEAR
WINNER: THE DESIGN HOUSE

EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH & SAFETY (FIT-OUT)
WINNER: KPS

TECH-SAVVY FIRM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: KEO INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS

EMERGING FIRM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: WARÛ

BEST CONSULTANCY FIRM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SHAPE ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE + RESEARCH

CERAMICS & TILES BRAND OF THE YEAR
WINNER: RAK CERAMICS

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: FIRAS ALSAHIN, 4SPACE DESIGN
HIGHLY COMMENDED: ADRIANA GRAUR, DWP

 

ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: MICHAEL MAGILL, RSP
HIGHLY COMMENDED: ABDULLA AL SHAMSI, SHAPE ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE + RESEARCH

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
WINNER: PIERRE MARTIN DUFRESNE, U+A

PROJECT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: BORIS LAM, DLR GROUP MIDDLE EAST
HIGHLY COMMENDED: NATASHA ABBAS, NORTH 51 CONSULTING

CEO OF THE YEAR
WINNER: TIM MARTIN, GENSLER

FIT-OUT LEADER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SHERIF NAGY, THE FITOUT

FIT-OUT PROJECT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: HAKIM EZZAHOUANY, NORTH 51 CONSULTING

EMERGING ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: HADIA HANAN, AEDAS

EMERGING INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SHIAM SHIBL, DLR GROUP
HIGHLY COMMENDED: BETHANY LOCKHART, ELE INTERIOR

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ESLAM ABEED, JACOBS