A prestigious lineup from global architecture and design fields joins this year’s international competition

The Aoyama Design Forum (ADF), a non-profit organization, has announced the first round of jurors for the ADF Design Award 2026, an international design competition now in its 16th year. This year again, the panel includes influential voices from the global architecture and design community. The first four jurors are introduced below. More details and application information are available on the ADF website

Christina Yao / China Editor, Dezeen

Christina Yao is the China Editor at Dezeen. She manages Dezeen’s WeChat and Red Note channels, overseeing content on architecture and design across China and the Asia-Pacific region. Based between Shanghai and Melbourne, she previously spent six years in London as Europe Correspondent for the weekly magazine China Business Network. After returning to China in 2019, she became Managing Editor of the China branch of Business of Fashion before joining Dezeen in 2021.

M.L. Varudh Varavarn / Founder, Principal Architect, Vin Varavarn Architects

M.L. Varudh Varavarn is the founder of Bangkok-based architecture studio Vin Varavarn Architects (VVA). He received the prestigious Silpathorn Award in 2022, Thailand’s highest honor for living contemporary artists. His projects have gained both national and international acclaim, winning the Barbara Cappochin International Biennial Prize, the Golden Pin Best Design Award, the Design Anthology PEOPLE Award, the RIBA International List 2018, and Gold Medals from the ASA Architectural Design Awards. Beyond professional practice, Varavarn is committed to using architecture to create social impact. He collaborates with non-profits to design schools and low-cost housing in underserved communities across Thailand. In 2018, he served as Chief Curator of the Thai Pavilion at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.

IDr Ooi Boon Seong / Chief Executive Director, OD & A

IDr Ooi Boon Seong is a highly respected figure in Malaysia’s interior design industry. He has received more than 30 Excellence Awards, including the 2019 Industry Icon Award from The BrandLaureate. He played a key role in founding the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID), serving as President from 2022 to 2024. Dedicated to mentoring young talent, Ooi has served as juror for major design competitions organized by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM), Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM), MIID, Star Property, and the Asia Young Designer Award (AYDA). With over 30 years of experience, he leads the award-winning design firm OD&A, delivering innovative and high-quality interior design work across the region.

Marco Bevolo / Adjunct Professor of Design Futures, World University of Design / Founder, Marco Bevolo Consulting

Marco Bevolo is Adjunct Professor of Design Futures at the World University of Design in Sopalt, India, and a researcher at Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. He holds a PhD from Tilburg University, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences. From 1999 to 2009, Bevolo served as Director at Philips Design, leading the second global edition of city.people.light. He continued at Philips Lighting (now Signify) from 2010 to 2016 as Principal Researcher in Urban Futures. He has given future-oriented talks at institutions such as Sony Creative Center and Fabrica / Benetton, and has consulted for clients including FCA and Lighting Design Collective. Bevolo has published four books and over 30 peer-reviewed papers and articles.

ADF Design Award 2026 – Entry Information

Visit the ADF website for application guidelines and competition details.