Winning Projects Of Inaugural BCI Asia Interior Design Awards Selected

Date: 25 March 2017
Company Name: BCI Asia Construction Pte Ltd

Interiors are such an integral part of one’s living, playing and working experience that the design of an interior space has gone beyond solely aesthetics or function. It is also about crafting a space for occupant comfort and well-being. How a space makes one feel and the impact on one’s health have become as important as how a space looks and functions.

The inaugural BCI Asia Interior Design Awards sought to recognise good interior architectural designs that stood out aesthetically, functionally and ergonomically. This competition provided an opportunity for both emerging and experienced architects and designers to showcase their creative ideas and promote excellence in designing outstanding interior spaces. The competition was also a chance for designers to generate awareness towards responsible designs (human, economic, environmental and ethical) and the importance of good design in our society.

A total of 123 projects based in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines were entered in the following four categories:
• Hotel: hotels, resorts and motels
• Office: commercial and public offices
• Retail: shops, showrooms, studios, clubs, restaurants, shopping malls, cafés, canteens and supermarkets
• Residential: condominiums, private houses, bungalows and villas

This competition was opened to licensed architects and professional interior designers and design consultants in their jurisdictions worldwide. The projects should be in the concept stage (completed on or before 31 December 2017) or completed (1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017).

EVALUATION
The best designs were selected according to the following equally weighted (20 per cent each) criteria:
1. Spatial design: space usage, user-friendliness and functional aspects
2. Comfort: ergonomics, emotional aspects and well-being
3. Aesthetics: appearance of the space
4. Innovation: use of technology or creative ideas and environmental considerations
5. Realisation efficiency: practicality and ease of actualisation

INTERNATIONAL JURY PANEL

Kuldej Sinthawanarong (Thailand) is CEO and co-founder of JARKEN group of companies, a multidisciplinary design and professional business. Over the last 12 years, Kuldej and his team have grown JARKEN into an international consultancy, which has won multiple awards with a core competency in creativity and top-notch expertise in designing over 500 residential, commercial and retail projects.

Yuko Nagayama (Japan) is an award-winning architect and graduate from Showa Woman’s University who founded Yuko Nagayama & Associates in 2002. She had lectured part-time at The University of Tokyo (2005), Kyoto Seika University (2008), Showa Women’s University (2009), Ocyanomizu University (2010) and Nagoya Institute of Technology (2011).

Lai Siew Hong (Malaysia) has been creating design solutions for interior space planning and corporate identity for a wide variety of clients over the last 25 years. Prior to Blu Water Studio, he spent 19 years in Axis Identity Group, with his last position being the Design Director for Axis Identity Group and Managing Director of Axis Network Design Consultants Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia’s leading interior design companies. Lai is also a council member of the Malaysian Institute of Designers (MIID), the national institute representing the interior design profession in Malaysia, from 2016 to 2018.

JUDGING PROCESS
The BCI technical committee did the preliminary review during the month of January. The jury panel reviewed all entries online and created a shortlist over a period of three weeks in February. At the jury meeting held in Singapore on 25 March 2017, jurors reviewed the shortlisted entries, discussed and determined the final winners. One of the jurors, award-winning Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama, pointed out that the most important consideration was whether the winning projects created new value, such as new types of lifestyle activities and relationships with the environment, as well as new ways of working and using distinctive materials. She added that the three key criteria for an interior designer in crafting a practical design space—one that is creative and comfortable—with an appreciation of aesthetics are: unity with the context/environment, new approach towards innovation and material usage.

Robert Krups, Chief Operating Officer of BCI Asia, commented, “The inaugural BCI Asia Interior Design Awards has proven to be a full success. In BCI Asia’s efforts to showcase and support architecture and design in Southeast Asia, we are glad to be able to expand this recognition to interior designs in this year. The jury process was an exciting exercise and results selected were awarded both in terms of local context and quality of design. Entries from the four countries have been defined by local influences as well as general design trends, which made final decisions hard sometimes. We are looking forward to expanding this competition across more countries in the next year and cannot wait to review Asia’s interior design trends in the future.”

PRIZES
Results will be announced and prizes will be given out at the BCI Asia award ceremonies in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Bangkok, from mid-May to mid-June 2017. The BCI Asia Awards night is a gala event that attracts the crème de la crème of the architecture, building and construction industry. The total turnout estimates over 2,500. Winning projects will be recognised by trophies and certificates that will be awarded to the design teams and merit projects will be acknowledged by certificates. Winners and merit recipients will receive two-year and one-year subscriptions to Construction+ magazine respectively.

WINNING PROJECTS

HOTEL CATEGORY
Indonesia: Bella Vista Hotel
Malaysia: Loke Thye Kee Residences
Thailand: Akyra Manor Hotel

OFFICE CATEGORY
Thailand: KASIKORN Business-Technology Group (KBTG)
Indonesia: BBDO Indonesia Office

RETAIL CATEGORY
Philippines: Mandani Bay Sales Gallery
Malaysia: Caffe Diem @ Pekan Cina
Indonesia: Glass House by Tirtha Bridal
Thailand: Daily Roast at Bhiraj Tower

RESIDENTIAL CATEGORY
Malaysia: Emerald Bay – Modern Caribbean Living
Thailand: The XXXIX