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!
(Disclaimer: This post is updated on 28/11/2024 to properly credit the relevant industry player.)
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
INNOVATION IN DESIGN
Winner: ST. REGIS RESIDENCES- MIRAGE
MASTER PLAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: FOUR SEASONS AMAALA, TRIPLE BAY- U+A
RESTAURANT DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: MOLI BY SHI– 4SPACE DESIGN
RESTAURANT DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Winner: SOUL KITCHEN- TALA MORTADA
FIT-OUT FOR THE MOST ENGAGING PLAY AREA OF THE YEAR
Winner: AUJAN INTERIORS FOR WE PLAY
SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
HIGHLY COMMENDED: SHEES FRIDAY MARKET- SHAPE ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE + RESEARCH
WELLNESS PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: BANYA FORREST- BRAND CREATIVE
INSTALLATION DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Winner: COP28- OCHRE
SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: ATHLON BY ALDAR- ALDAR
RETAIL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
HIGHLY COMMENDED: IFZA MDV RETAIL FASHION OUTLET- LLOYD DESIGN FITOUTS
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
DESIGN & BUILD PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Highly Commended: ORCHIDEA BIANCA VILLA- SMART RENOVATION
DESIGN & BUILD PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Winner: META WORLD (EXOLO)- HTS INTERIORS
INSTALLATION DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Winner: COP28: OCHRE
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
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