Manila’s design elite converged in style and substance at the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) Gala and the highly anticipated APSDA Awards Night recently, a dazzling celebration of innovation, creativity and professional excellence in the built environment.

Held in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA), the evening marked a significant milestone for the interior design community across the Asia-Pacific region.

The APSDA Awards 2025 brought together over 160 entries from 13 countries and territories, showcasing the immense talent and cultural diversity that define the region’s design scene. From residential marvels to transformative workspaces and sustainable hospitality concepts, each submission reflected APSDA’s core mission: to advance the practice of interior design, promote meritocracy and uphold a shared professional responsibility to both people and planet.

Founded in 1987 and formalized in 2017, APSDA is now composed of 16 national-level institutions across Asia and Oceania. Its president, professor Keat Ong, reflected on the association’s evolution: “Our work in the past four years has focused on Competency, Meritocracy, Responsibilities and Disruptions. Through initiatives like the Asia-Pacific Interior Design Accreditation Program, sustainable design advocacy and cultural regionalism, we are not just shaping interiors — we are shaping the future.”

The power of recognition

At the heart of the night was the formal announcement of the APSDA Award recipients. The Project of the Year winners represented a breathtaking variety of categories, including residential design, hospitality, exhibition, retail, workspace and more.

Notably, Paralloge-Dayan Forest Hotel by Guangzhou Uniarch Decoration Design won Gold in the Hospitality category, while Light Patio and Wave Whisper by Kris Lin International Design shone in the Public category.

Adding a new dimension to this year’s celebration were the expanded categories under Interior Products of the Year, which for the first time recognized excellence in Residential and Contract Furniture and Space Lighting. The addition reflects APSDA’s commitment to evolving alongside industry trends and acknowledging the material and functional heart of spatial innovation.

A celebration of culture and craft

The awards also underscored APSDA’s advocacy for cultural authenticity through its Critical Adaptive Regionalism of Asia Pacific (CARA) initiative, which champions regionally rooted design narratives. This aligns with Deputy Chairman Wesley Liu’s vision to not only showcase global sophistication but also to uplift ASEAN designers and their rich cultural heritages.

“Every detail — from the design of the trophy to the ceremony format — was crafted with prestige and cultural pride in mind,” said Liu. “We want the APSDA Awards to be a symbol of excellence with regional soul.”

Committee member Tanva Suvannapong emphasized that the jury was not just evaluating aesthetic merit, but also “purposeful storytelling, sustainability and community engagement” — values that resonate deeply in today’s socially conscious design landscape.

Judges from across the region

This year’s esteemed panel of judges featured an extraordinary roster of global design leaders, including Ed Ng (AB Concept, Hong Kong), Tina Periquet (Periquet Galicia, Philippines) and Peter Tay (Peter Tay Studio, Singapore), among others — each bringing a wealth of cross-cultural experience and design rigor to the table.

Their collective expertise lent gravitas to the evening, affirming the APSDA Awards’ reputation as a benchmark of excellence within the industry.

As the evening came to a close, applause echoed through the venue — not only for the winners, but also for the visionaries who continue to push the profession forward. In his closing remarks, Awards Chairman IDr. Lai Siew Hong captured the essence of the night: “This isn’t just a celebration of great design. It’s a reaffirmation of our shared purpose — to design with meaning, with intention and with heart.”

As PIID and APSDA look ahead, the message is clear: in the face of rapid change and global challenges, interior design remains a force for positive transformation. From sustainability to cultural preservation, from innovation to human connection, the designers of the Asia-Pacific are leading the way — one meaningful space at a time.