A record-breaking number of entries whittled down to eagerly anticipated shortlist as countdown to awards night brings interior design innovators, gamechangers and emerging talent together in creative celebration.

The shortlist for the 2022 INDEX Design Awards has been revealed, with this year’s entries reaching record-breaking level following a booming 12 months of industry activity across the region.

With competition for the 15 hotly contested categories reaching a new high, this year’s judging panel also adopted a new approach to the process, with all entries reviewed and voted for anonymously.

Attracting best-in-class design talent

“Our reputation as the Middle East’s most trusted and independent design awards is just one reason why, year on year, we continue to attract an exciting – and growing – contingent of best-in-class design talent,” noted Laura Collinder, Head of Awards Sponsorship, INDEX Design Awards, adding that the contest is also the first programme in the industry to adopt an anonymous judging review process. “We believe this is a non-negotiable in this new era of uniquely positioned projects that demand unrestricted imagination paired with an innate understanding of regional dynamics and expertise,” she added. 

Inspiring dining and social spaces marked entries in the F&B Design of the Year category with Kart Group, Bishop Design by Paul Bishop, Rabih Geha Architects, 4Space Design, XO Atelier and Broadway Interiors earning hard-fought shortlist status.

Introduced for the first time this year, the category Concept Design of the Year showcased a thrilling cross-section of ground-breaking projects – from luxury safari lodges to chic beach clubs from the likes of M Atelier, Brand Creative, Kristina Zanic Consultants and DLG Group Middle East.

Meanwhile, Office Design of the Year aptly illustrated the global shift in work-life practices, with a collection of exciting next-generation workplaces and co-working spaces from Inner Space Interior Design LLC, Spacewell Interiors and Designsmith Interior Works LLC, among others.

Breaking new ground

The highly respected judging panel was equally challenged when it came to shortlisting those individuals and design companies breaking new ground in today’s demanding and competitive market. Industry experts Christos Passas of Zaha Hadid Architects, Diane Thorsen of Gensler, Indu Varanasi of IRD Design, Joakim de Rham of Swiss Bureau Interior Design & Build, Kevin Mclachlan of NOMADK, Khuan Chew of KCA International, Laura Bielecki of Ellington Properties, Pooja Shah-Mulani of LW Design, Esra Lemmens of The Esra Lemmens Agency, Maud Caput of Ema Interior Design and Nadine Kahil joined the judging panel this year. 

“The awards have always been a celebration of innovative interiors projects and the people behind them, but this year our judging panel was blown away by the sheer unbridled creativity entrenched in every project entry; helmed by leaders who are definitely breaking new ground when it comes to pushing boundaries and the future of design,” remarked Ms. Collinder.

The six professionals selected for Interior Design Leader of the Year category (Chris Barnes, Broadway Interiors; Firas Alsahin, 4Space Design; Helen Kristina Skea, Infinite; Paul Bishop, Bishop Design by Paul Bishop; Vaida Buchrotaite, DLR Group Middle East; Zoë Burnett, RSP) represent a wealth of experience and intuitive design excellence.

Meanwhile, the Boutique Interior Design Company of the Year will celebrate the collective achievements of passionate, cohesive team with a unified vision, with 4Space Design, Brand Creative, Broadway Interiors, E Plus A Atelier, Idea Art Interior Architects (IAIA) and XO Atelier in the running for this sought-after accolade.

The awards are supported by a stellar line-up of industry sponsors, including: VitrA Bathrooms (Platinum Sponsor), PRESTO Middle East (Gold Sponsor), Trend Group (Gold Sponsor), Casa Milano (Gold Sponsor), Jaquar Group (Gold Sponsor), Huda Lighting (Silver Sponsor), NGC Nafees (Silver Sponsor), Cosentino (Bronze Sponsor), Lumibright (Bronze Sponsor), Duravit (Bronze Sponsor), and Emkay Interiors (Fit-Out Partner).

To view the full awards shortlist, go to: www.index-awards.com 

The INDEX Design Awards will take place at the Ritz Carlton DIFC on 15th June. Reserve your ticket here