The 6th Annual LIV Hospitality Design Awards

The LIV Hospitality Design Awards announce the winners of its sixth edition, honoring visionary projects that redefine how people experience hospitality around the world.

The jury panel, comprising leading architects, designers, hoteliers, and industry experts, meticulously reviewed each entry. The resulting selections reflect a broad spectrum of design excellence — from immersive restaurant environments and cultural narratives, to serene resort sanctuaries and innovative spatial concepts rooted in place and purpose.

Gongu Izakaya
Photo credit: Ivan Avdeenko / Retouch: Andrew Shurpenkov

The Architectural Category

Architectural Design of the Year for Eating Spaces

YongLi Red Tile Banquet Hotel by Yuanhua Zhang and team of We&Arch was awarded. Located in Chongzhou, China, the project reinterprets traditional red tile architecture within a contemporary banquet setting, creating a dynamic spatial environment that celebrates communal gathering and cultural heritage.

YongLi Red Tile Banquet Hotel
Photo credit: Chen Hao

Architectural Design of the Year for Living Spaces

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, designed by Yiannis Romanos, Dimitris Karampatakis, Christina Fragkouli & Christos Spetseris, with Tombazis & Associates and K-Studio was awarded. The resort masterfully integrates into the Greek landscape, blending refined architecture with natural topography and local craftsmanship to create an immersive luxury retreat.

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino
Photo credit: Claus Brechenmacher & Reiner Baumann, Helen Cathcart

The Interior Design Category

Interior Design of the Year for Eating Spaces

Gongu Izakaya by Liubov Tuzovska of Tdot was awarded. Located in Riga, Latvia, the project offers a contemporary reinterpretation of Japanese dining culture, balancing historic architectural elements with modern detailing and atmospheric lighting.

Gongu Izakaya
Photo credit: Ivan Avdeenko / Retouch: Andrew Shurpenkov

Interior Design of the Year for Living Spaces

CLOUDSPA Sanctuary, designed by Wenyuan Guo of Ruize Design in Datong City, China was awarded. This serene wellness environment transforms a traditional courtyard into a layered spatial journey, harmonizing volcanic stone, water elements, and soft illumination to foster tranquility and reflection.

CLOUDSPA SANCTUARY
Photo credit: Ruize Design

Emerging Interior Designer of the Year for Eating Space

The Etherea, designed by Zeming Zhu of Art Center College of Design, was named for its conceptual multi-sensor dining environment that merges perfume artistry with culinary storytelling.

THE ETHEREA
Photo credit: Zeming Zhu

Emerging Architect of the Year for Living Space

La Nopaleña, developed by Mariaines Monroy Tapia, Fátima James Orozco & Mariajose Álvarez Aguilar, alongside Miroslava Petrova of Universidad de Monterrey was named. Rooted in Oaxaca’s cultural narrative, the project creates an immersive experiential space celebrating craftsmanship, tradition, and sensory design.

Nopaleña
Photo credit: Mariaines Monroy Tapia, Fátima James Orozco, Mariajose Álvarez Aguilar

The LIV Hospitality Design Awards

The LIV Hospitality Design Awards aims to celebrate the quality and diversity of architectural ventures and interior design projects shaping the hospitality industry today. Launched in 2020, the program is an inclusive platform that pursues and rewards exceptional projects within living and eating spaces.