By Roma Arora

The Design Middle East Awards 2024 marked an extraordinary milestone in the region’s design and architecture community. Held at the prestigious Hilton Al Habtoor Al Joud Ballroom, the event truly made history in its own unique way. With over 160 firms submitting nominations and hundreds of entries, the overwhelming response from both industry veterans and budding talents was a testament to the vibrancy and creativity of the field.

The ballroom came alive with 550 attendees, making the celebration an unforgettable experience. From the inspiring energy of the nominees to the joy of the winners, the night was a testament to the community’s shared passion for innovation and excellence.

This was more than just an awards night; it was the biggest and finest celebration party ever, setting a new standard for events in the industry. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey and for making it such an awesome event!

A huge thank you to our sponsors:

Gold Sponsors: KLUDI, Numai Real Estate, Havelock One, & Dr Scent
Silver Sponsors: AECOM, Al Shirawi Interiors, & Aujan Interiors
Category Sponsor: Design Infinity
Tech Partner: HP

Here’s to another year of groundbreaking achievements and creative milestones!

Winners and Highly Commended – Design Middle East Awards 2024!

PROJECT AWARDS
RESIDENTIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: FLORA DUBAI ISLANDS– JT+PARTNERS

 COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: DIFC HEADQUARTERS– INC UAE

COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: DUBAI HOLDINGS EXPERIENCE WORKSPACE- BLUEHAUS

CULTURAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: BASSAM FREIHA ART FOUNDATION- ADD CONSULTANTS

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
Winner: SOBHA HARTLAND II- PNC ARCHITECTS

RESTAURANT DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: MOLI BY SHI– 4SPACE DESIGN

RESTAURANT DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Winner: SOUL KITCHEN- TALA MORTADA

MOST ENGAGING PLAY AREA OF THE YEAR
Winner: WE PLAY- AUJAN INTERIORS

SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
HIGHLY COMMENDED: SHEES FRIDAY MARKET- SHAPE ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE + RESEARCH

SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: ATHLON BY ALDAR- ALDAR 

RETAIL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
HIGHLY COMMENDED: THE VISITOR, KING ABDULAZIZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
ALTAVIA ODG

RETAIL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: MANISH MALHOTRA FLAGSHIP STORE- NORTH 51 CONSULTING

HEALTHCARE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: MEDCARE ROYAL SPECIALTY HOSPITAL- DESIGN MATTER & ARUN NALAPAT ARCHITECTS

 REFURBISHMENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: RAFFLES AL AREEN PALACE BAHRAIN- HAVELOCK ONE

 REFURBISHMENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: GAL RESTAURANT, THE ADDRESS HOTEL- DESIGN INFINITY

BEST FUTURE PROJECT
Highly Commended: QIDDIYA & SEVEN- BLUEHAUS

BEST FUTURE PROJECT
Winner: LAGERFELD RESIDENCES, DUBAI- RSP


LANDSCAPE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: LINEAR PARK IN QETAIFAN ISLAND- ATKINSRÉALIS

MEGA LUXURY PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: COVE- IMTIAZ DEVELOPMENTS

LUXURY MANSION OF THE YEAR
Winner: DISTRICT ONE MANSION- DAT ARCHITECTURE

BAR DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Winner: BCH:CLB- AUJAN INTERIORS

HOSPITALITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: LAÏLA RESORT- MMAC DESIGN ASSOCIATES

HOSPITALITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: THE HILTON HOTEL- JT+PARTNERS

LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: KUURU RIYADH- ACOULITE AND FORSITE CREATIVE

INTERIOR FIT-OUT PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: AJMAN RULER’S COURT- AL TAYER STOCKS

INTERIOR FIT-OUT PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: THE LINK- KHANSAHEB INTERIORS

CELEBRATING WOMEN PIONEERS IN THE INDUSTRY

COMPANY AWARDS
BEST DESIGN IN DIFFUSER TECHNOLOGY 
Winner: DR SCENT

BEST WORKPLACE OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: B8 ARCHITECTURE

BEST WORKPLACE OF THE YEAR
Winner: DEWAN ARCHITECTS + ENGINEERS

SPECIALIZED MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
Winner: THE DESIGN HOUSE

TECH-SAVVY FIRM OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: ATKINSRÉALIS

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

LIGHTING SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Winner: LIGHT & LIVES

EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH AND SAFETY (FIT-OUT)
Winner: KPS

HOMEGROWN FURNITURE BRAND OF THE YEAR
Winner: SUNCOAST OUTDOOR FURNITURE

INNOVATION IN PAINT TECHNOLOGY
Winner: JOTUN PAINTS ARABIA for JOTASHIELD ETERNA

INNOVATIVE FITTING SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: KLUDI

DESIGN & BUILD FIRM OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: DESIGN INFINITY

DESIGN & BUILD FIRM OF THE YEAR
Winner: AMAQ INTERIORS

BOUTIQUE FIRM OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: CREATING HOMES INTERIORS AND CONTRACTING

BOUTIQUE FIRM OF THE YEAR
Winner: 4SPACE DESIGN

CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR
Winner: AJI GROUP

FIT-OUT FIRM OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: MUSE INTERIOR DESIGN

FIT-OUT FIRM OF THE YEAR
Winner: INC UAE

ARCHITECTURAL FIRM OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: PACE

ARCHITECTURAL FIRM OF THE YEAR
Winner: DLR GROUP

INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: KEO INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS

INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM OF THE YEAR
Winner: OPAAL INTERIORS

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: MOHAMED FAYED – AECOM

FIT-OUT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Winner: MARIO MOURID – AL SHIRAWI INTERIORS

EMERGING ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: SARA ALHUDAITHI – OMRANIA

EMERGING ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: ANDRE PATRICK VALDEZ- AEDAS 

EMERGING INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Highly Commended: LAYAL DAHI – ELE INTERIOR

EMERGING INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Winner: MOHAMAD MASRI – B8 ARCHITECTURE

PROJECT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Winner: AMARNATH PATNAM – PNC ARCHITECTS

FIT-OUT LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: STEPHEN TAYLOR – KPS

INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: GOVIND SHEPLEY – TWENTYONE06

INTERIOR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Winner: STUART ALLEN – ALLEN ARCHITECTURE INTERIORS DESIGN

ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: MARWAN BAHNASS – MIRAGE

ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: SCOTT PRYDE – DLR GROUP

CEO OF THE YEAR
Winner: HAMZEH AWWAD – AJI GROUP

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
CHRIS BARNES – BROADWAY INTERIORS

Images: Farooq Salik