Dezeen Awards 2022

Dezeen will soon be announcing the winners of its 5th Annual awards programme. Dezeen awards identifies and celebrates the world’s best architecture, interiors and design as well as recognising the studios and individual architects and designers producing the most outstanding and influential work in their field.

Alongside the main awards programme, where winners are decided by a jury of industry professionals, there is also a public vote where readers have the opportunity to vote in 30+ categories. Voting opened this week, and the winners of the public vote will be announced 17-21st Oct 2022.

Winners in the main awards programme will be announced 21-25th October and the shortlists for all categories have now been announced.

The shortlist for Most Striking Interior is made up of 57 projects from 11 different interiors categories that come from 24 different countries including Ukraine, Japan, Canada, South Korea and Sweden.The UK is the top represented country this year with 12 shortlisted entries, followed by China with 7, and both the USA and Australia with 4.

It was a real treat to explore the different projects this year, most of which have a huge focus on sustainability and circularity.

Here are our favourites from each category:

House Interior

West Bends House by Brave New Eco. Melbourne, Australia.

A thoughtfully layered interior from a hillside home which looks out onto a green wildlife belt and the city beyond. The space has been designed to be settled and cohesive yet nourish a sense of exploration as residents move throughout the home. Materials used are organic and local. Themes of nature resonate throughout.

Apartment Interior

Earthrise Studio by Studio McW. London, United Kingdom.

A converted warehouse in East London for climate activists and filmmakers, Jack Harries and Alice Aedy. A beautifully balanced rest and workspace nestled in an old shoe factory. A delicate approach has been adopted so as not to dilute the history and original features of the building, which include large steel windows and trusses, exposed concrete beams, and a double-height pitched roof with overhead glazing.

Restaurant & Bar Interior

Spice & Barley by Enter Projects Asia, Bangkok Thailand.

An ultra-modern restaurant in the heart of Bangkok showcasing a dramatic, undulating rattan centrepiece, its aim being to embrace and invigorate innovation and eco-awareness. The restaurant overlooks the Chao Phraya which is reflected in the twists and turns of the structure, which takes the form of twin towers and references the high-rise skyline of Bangkok.

Enter Projects Asia said of the project, “In our signature style, we see a hybridisation of 3D technology and Thai traditional craft. The natural and renewable rattan unfurls over a sprawling 9m-high space with digitally generated structures and the Bangkok skyline as its backdrop.”

Large Workspace Interior

Victoria Greencoat Place by Fora. London, United Kingdom.

Dating back to the 19th century, the building was once the warehousing, storerooms and food halls of the Army and Navy store. This beautiful and elegant design commemorates the building’s rich history, which is complimented by contemporary features and finishes, sustainable operation initiatives such as new glazing, a new VRF and sensor control lighting have all been implemented.

The juxtaposition of the building’s raw and industrial shell with a light, calm and nurturing palette are evident. Soft, lime-wash oak contrasts against deep, rich textures and fabrics.

Small Workspace Interior

Alexander House by Alexander & Co. Sydney, Australia.

A studio created for the team at Alexander & Co, the space has been designed to foster design, exploration, culture and creativity. Architecture and materiality are diverse, thus challenging preconceptions of a traditional workspace, and creating space for creativity to ebb and flow.

Amenities include, basement workspace/material workspace and landscaped garden, kitchen/meeting area and lounge room on the ground floor. A mezzanine level includes library and loft with bedroom and event space.

Large Retail Interior

Kolon Sport Sotsot Rebirth by Jo Nagasaka/Schemata Architects. Cheju island, South Korea

The project is a continuation of the Arario project, a community development project in Cheju Island, South Korea. The space has been designed to be the home of clothing brand Kolon, sustainability is at the heart of their company ethos. The brand keeps circularity in motion by reusing and upcycling discarded inventory

In a manner consistent with the brand’s philosophy, environmental issues have also been highlighted within the project. Recycled marine debris used as store fixtures, for example.

Small Retail Interior

Monc by Nina+Co. London, United Kingdom

The project is the brand’s first retail store. The space has been designed to be multifunctional and flexible, retail outlet by day, events-based venue at night. The initial lease for the space is short-term so a sustainable and mindful approach to the design was key. Every element of the design was rigorously scrutinised, circularity being vital to the project. Nearly every material used in the design is bio-based or recyclable. The furniture has been built to last but can be disassembled for re-use, recycling or simply fed back to the earth. Some of the materials used include mycelium, corn starch foam, bio-acetate and recycled plastic.

Leisure and Wellness Interior

Wan Fat Jinyi Cinema by One Plus Partnership. Shenzen, China.

The project’s concept was simply ‘the stage.’ The focal point for the audience be it in true form for art and theatre productions or big screen for cinema goers. A theme taken from this concept that dominates the design is ‘stage lighting.’

“We extracted the stage lighting as the main element for this project design. It also links back to one of the unique features of this cinema. It does not only show movies but has live performances too.” said One Plus Partnership.

Designers used spotlights as a single unit to create jaw-dropping and unique lighting fixtures suspended from the ceiling. The spotlights are assembled in two layers and point out in opposite directions. The fixtures are rectangular in shape and are displayed in various sizes.

Spotlights appear elsewhere in the building, but as single units and at different angles thus creating fascinating light and shadows for maximum visual impact. Bronze was used heavily to create more reflective surfaces. An orange and yellow colour palette, to reflect lighting elements. Patterns on seating and walls resemble traces of light shining from spotlights.

Civic & Cultural Interior

F51 Skate Park by Holloway Studio. Folkstone, United Kingdom

The project was created a part of an ongoing programme for the regeneration of the town of Folkstone. It is the “world’s first purpose-built, multi-story skatepark.”

The project boasts 3 floors of multi-level skatepark, boxing gym, café, and Southeast England’s tallest climbing wall and brings the buzz of extreme sports to this once sleepy, seaside town. It promotes independence, confidence and well-being through movement and has proven to be a valuable asset for Folkstone’s youth.

Small Interior

OHL Cultural Space for the Arts by AB+AC architects. Lisbon, Portugal.

The project is a dedicated to promoting innovation and healing through the arts. The space uses light and natural materials as tools to help the people of Lisbon temporarily detach from the urban chaos of modern life. A centre for conscious gathering, holistic learning and co-creation. It is located in the neighbourhood of Bairro Alto and was once a dark and inactive retail unit on the ground floor of a 19th century building.

The project takes inspiration from the sacred concept of ‘shala’- a Sanskrit word meaning ‘home’ – where people commonly gather to practice yoga, learn and grow.

We will be keeping a close eye out when winners are announced and would like to wish the very best of luck to all shortlisted projects.