Meet the Judges

Put your hands together for our incredible jury members for the upcoming Middle East Design Awards 2022.

The Design Middle East Awards are one of the most popular award ceremonies in the region. The award ceremony seeks to recognise individual excellence, company strengths, and project success and will honour the creative best and brightest in the region’s design and architecture industries. The ceremony would be held on November 11, 2022, in Dubai.

Design Middle East would like to express gratitude to our jury members for being part of this amazing journey and process. Read here to know more about our judges.

TAREK H. SHUAIB
CEO, PACE

Choosing to build upon a legacy of a firm that had sparked an architectural revolution and renaissance in Kuwait and the region, Pace’s current CEO and lead architect, Tarek Shuaib, decided to pursue his professional career at Pace, which was the firm founded by his father: renowned architect and master planner, Hamed Abdul Salam Shuaib.

Shuaib was exposed to architectural excellence at a young age. Shuaib then pursued his passion for the industry, earning a master’s degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis, USA, and a bachelor’s degree from The American College in London, England.

He began working with some of Pace’s most prestigious government clients, including The Amiri Diwan, Bayan Palace, Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait University, KISR, and the Ports Authority, to name a few. He was given significant and varied responsibilities such as local and regional client liaisons, interior design, and site supervision.

MARCOS CAIN
PRINCIPAL & FOUNDER, STICKMAN TRIBE

With over 20 years of creative experience spanning hotel, retail, residential, and commercial projects, Marcos has personally spearheaded concepts through to landmark hospitality projects across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East – from award-winning boutique hotels to iconic builds like The Cook, The Meet, and The Brew at the Kerry Hotel, Pudong, the ground-breaking Hotel Jen Beijing, and the Zaya Nurai Island Resort, described by Newsweek as “the most luxurious resort in the world.” The Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives, The Ritz Carlton Amman, Conrad Hilton KL, and the signature Mercedes Me Chengdu are among his most recent projects.

Cain is a passionate advocate for hospitality and food and beverage design, and she is a regular contributor to magazines and a guest speaker at events focussing on innovation and sustainability. To date, he has received numerous awards, including the Asia Hotel Design Award, World Interior News Awards, Middle East Interior Design Award, and International House and Property Award, in categories ranging from best hotel and restaurant to luxury urban escape.

MAHSA
FOUNDER AND DESIGN DIRECTOR, DESIGN BY MAHSA

Mahsa, an Irani- an-born and Australian-educated designer, has established a reputation as an avant-garde in interior design, challenging mainstream trends to create innovative spaces that enhance consumer experiences

Mahsa is known as a storyteller through design, forming designs with a distinct aesthetic while remaining true to their space and purpose. Each design is a reflection of the passion that speaks the language of creativity.

Mahsa’s portfolio shows exquisite projects in the hospitality, retail, food & beverage, and residential sectors in the Middle East and Australia as the founder and design director of the boutique interior design studio in Dubai. This knowledge encompasses the entire design-build process, from premium boutique hotels and bespoke restaurants to luxury residences and large-scale commercial/retail spaces.

Design by Mahsa’s success has been driven by its reputation since its inception in 2018. Since 2020, the boutique design studio has grown significantly, with repeat and referral businesses accounting for more than 85% of total revenue. With some of the largest and most prestigious design projects in Dubai awarded to Mahsa and her Team in 2021/22, Mahsa’s position in the design industry will be redefined.

Mahsa believes that the company’s success is defined by the human element and the personal relationships that are fostered throughout the project cycle, rather than by her innovative and progressive designs. Mahsa’s proactive involvement in all projects, with a focus on interacting with customers and clients, is a significant differentiator. The power of inclusion is enormous!

CRISTIANO VENTURINI
CEO, IGUZZINI ILLUMINAZIONE SPA

Cristiano Venturini is the CEO of iGuzzini illuminazione SpA, an international architectural lighting industry leader. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Bocconi University, as well as a Master of Commerce from Melbourne Business School and an MSc in General Management from Bocconi University. Venturini later completed Executive courses in Finance (SDA Bocconi) and Marketing (Melbourne Business School).

Venturini is a visiting professor of international business and a macroeconomics assistant. His previous work history includes stints at La Perla SpA. (Beijing/Singapore) and KMPG.

Working experience at iGuzzini:
Operations Finance team Manager (2008-2010)
Group Treasurer Manager (2010-2013)
Operations Finance Manager (2013-2014)
Chief Financial Officer (2014-2020)
CEO (from February 2020)

LLOYD WILLIAMS
CEO/ CO-FOUNDER, CREATIVE WRAP SUSTAINABLE INTERIORS

Lloyd Williams is the CEO and co-founder of Creative Wrap Sustainable Interiors, a premium interior wrapping company launched in Dubai in 2017 to offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to upscale your space in less time than conventional renovation methods.

Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Lloyd began his career as a Production Manager at Acre Wood. After a successful 13 years, he moved on to Project Manager roles before taking on a Business Development Manager position in 2016 at Express Electrical & Engineering Supplies Ltd (in Dubai).

Lloyd and his experienced team have wrapped more than 10,000 residential homes in the region, as well as outlets including Burj Khalifa, Reel Cinemas, Dubai Police Headquarters, and many top hotels, restaurants and schools. Specialising in sustainably upcycling spaces from kitchens to bathrooms, lobbies to lifts, staircases and furniture and everything in between, the benefits include being fully waterproof, scratch-resistant, antibacterial and having anti-mould and self-extinguishing properties.

Starting with just three employees, Lloyd and Aaron now have over 100 members of staff working across the GCC in the UAE, Egypt, Brunei, and Jordan and have further expansion plans for Lebanon and Europe in 2022.