Shaw Contract Design Awards Announce Top Global Interiors for 2026
Five international projects earn top honors for blending creative narratives with sustainable design practices.
1Global Design Excellence Recognized
The 21st annual Shaw Contract Design Awards have named five projects as Best of Globe winners for 2026. Selected from nearly 550 global submissions, these interiors were chosen by an international jury of architects and designers. The program aims to highlight spaces that spark creativity and contribute to a sustainable world.
2Diverse Winning Projects
Winners include the St Louis Symphony Orchestra Powell Hall in the US and the Missouri Athletic Club. Other top honors went to the We Labo 2F office in Japan, the Diageo Gurugram Workplace in India, and the DLA Piper legal office in the UK. Each project represents a unique approach to interior design.
3Biophilic Innovation in Japan
The We Labo 2F office, designed by Okamura Corporation, earned recognition for its biophilic design principles. By incorporating greenery as a functional element rather than mere decoration, the space mimics the experience of working beneath a tree canopy. The project also utilized circular design features, including furniture crafted from salvaged tsunami debris.
4Heritage and Modernity
HOK’s renovation of the Missouri Athletic Club was commended for its sensitive approach to historical preservation. The design team introduced a contemporary layout that adds a new layer to the club’s existing heritage. Rather than treating the past as a fixed theme, the project successfully integrates modern aesthetics with the building's original character.
5Corporate Space Transformation
The Diageo Gurugram Workplace in India, designed by M Moser Associates, spans 7,700 square meters across three floors. Accommodating 300 employees, the design prioritizes community by dedicating over half of the building to shared hospitality and collaboration areas. The jury praised the interior for being richly layered and carefully crafted for its users.
6Human-Centric Legal Environments
Sheppard Robson Architects designed the DLA Piper office in Leeds to cater to diverse work styles. The jury highlighted how the firm applied materials to add warmth and richness to areas traditionally viewed as purely corporate. The space provides a broad range of meeting, dining, and wellbeing areas for its legal staff.
7Jury Selection Criteria
The international jury evaluated projects based on clear design narratives and an understanding of local context. Despite varying scales and styles, winners were unified by responsible material strategies and a meaningful relationship between design intent and the completed space. The panel distinguished between merely attractive spaces and those communicating consequential ideas.
8Impact of the Awards
Winners of the Shaw Contract Design Awards receive global media exposure and a donation to a charity of their choice. By including interior design students in the judging process, the program supports the next generation of talent. The initiative continues to encourage discourse and innovation within the international creative design community.
Original article: Dezeen — Shaw Contract Design Awards Announce Top Global Interiors for 2026