Shaw Contract announces 'Best of Region - UK & CONTINENTAL EUROPE' winners in its 18th Design Awards program

The Shaw Contract Design Awards program, which is on its 18^the year is due, presents an opportunity to recognize spaces that inspire new ways of living, working, learning and healing, as seen through the lens of the Design Optimist.

Each entry was judged so that the projects representing the very best design from each region could be selected. This was done using the following criteria:

- Design process: clarity related to design intentions and implementation.

- Holistic thinking: creating a space for all types of users, now and in the future. 

- Sustainable thinking: it also looked at projects that aligned with Shaw Contract's four ambitions of People Together Planet Forever: material health, circular economy, carbon impact and diversity, equity and inclusion.

For the 2023 Design Awards, 650 entries walked in from 40 countries around the world. All submitted projects were advanced to the first phase of judging. In it, an elite panel of industry leaders in design in each region worked together to select the first-ever "Best of Region" winners in the history of the Awards.

We were pleased to announce that these were the winners of the 'Best of Region - UK & Continental Europe' are:

Elfi Vastgoed by MVD design studio, Netherlands

Jury comments:

"The mix of materials is very well coordinated with a particularly beautiful color palette. The space is attractive, warm and welcoming. The use of carpet really makes the acoustical decorative stand out, rather than using carpet only one way."

AirCastle by CRM Interior Fit-Outs, Dublin

Jury comments:

"Particularly strong design with a consistent design language throughout the space. The space reflects well-being and creates a contrast to busy life. It addresses the four pillars of sustainability, and in particular material health in the way the material was selected."

Hudson River Trading by M.Moser Associates, United Kingdom

Jury comments: 

"Meets the four pillars. This is a well thought out project that seems to meet a strong and complex brief. The design is thoughtful and the design, workmanship, choice of materials and detailing are good."

Three HQ by Morgan Lovell, United Kingdom

Jury comments:

"Very well thought out and a beautiful design. It is detailed, well executed and meets all the evaluation criteria. This design takes diversity, inclusion and sustainability a step further and completely reflects the cohesion of the team."

The 'Best of Region - UK& Continental Europe' jury consisted of:

Gillian Stewart - Director Interior Design at Michael Laird Architects, Glasgow (Scotland); Michelle Carr - Lead Creative at Habitaction, London (United Kingdom); Rianne de Kruijf - Senior Interior Designer at DDock, Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Ezequiel Gonzalez Sanchez - Senior Architect at Colliers, Prague (Czech Republic).

Each Best of Region winner now advances to the next stage of judging. In it, a panel of international designers of repute will crown our Best of Globe winners. The Best of Globe winners will be announced in late September 2023.