{"id":295111,"date":"2026-04-07T19:03:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/?p=295111"},"modified":"2026-04-07T19:03:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T04:53:00","slug":"adf-design-award-2026-jury-comments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/award\/adf-design-award-2026-jury-comments\/","title":{"rendered":"\u300cADF Design Award 2026\u300d Jury Comments"},"content":{"rendered":"

International Judges' Evaluations and Comments on the Winning Entries of the \u300cADF Design Award 2026\u300d<\/h3>\r\n

A<\/span>oyama Design Forum presents the \u201cADF DESIGN AWARD 2026<\/a>,\u201d an international award gathering outstanding works in architecture and design from around the world. This article introduces jury comments on the Grand Prize and Awards of Excellence projects. The jury consists of globally active architects, designers, and editors, each offering insights into the essence of the selected works. Their perspectives highlight key themes in contemporary architecture, including spatial experience, sustainability, and responsiveness to context. \"adf-web-magazine-adf-designe-award-2026-1\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

The Grand Prize\uff1a KEISUKE KOIKE (Thirdparty \/ K2YT)<\/h4>\r\n
Suzy Annetta \/ Founder and Publisher of Design Anthology<\/h5>\r\n

\"As a judge of this year\u2019s ADF Awards, I found the Miyakonojo Komizo Eye Clinic to be an exceptionally thoughtful response to the patient experience. Rather than treating waiting as idle time, the design transforms it into a meaningful, restorative encounter with space and nature. Segmented roof forms create varied volumes that balance openness with intimacy, while gardens woven between functional zones draw in soft natural light and blur the boundary between inside and out. The building feels less like a medical facility and more like a community park\u2014an architecture of empathy, not ego, that gently supports patients, staff, and visitors alike\".<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-11\"<\/a>

Suzy Annetta @ Gavin Green<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Mark Olthoff \/ Principal, Owner of OLSON KUNDIG<\/h5>\r\n

Impressive detailing and use of materials and landscape to create a blended interior and natural environment. I only wish the experience of touch and intimate experience in the furnishings had the same attention to detail and care for the inhabitants that the architecture has, it doesn't feel as holistic for the users as it could have been.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-8\"<\/a>

Mark Olthoff<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Ben Kikkawa\/ Zaha Hadid Architects<\/h5>\r\n

As an architect we use spatial quality to express our thoughts. Although the evaluation in this competition relies on many criteria, this proposal strikes through a simple idea of \"what will it feel like?\". Starting with a simple physical model of an overlap of the roof. Somewhat familiar to a Japanese temple but not. Yes, the glazing joinery is an obstacle, but the light will penetrate through with sightlines across to the roof. Yes, maintaining this project in Japanese climate is another obstacle in the future. But this project didn\u2019t pull back. This moment of the floating box of space in the air could turn into a style of a carrier. Can potentially turn into mezzanine. Or maybe with a structural solution of a floating box. Can it interlock as a semi-exterior? etc\u2026 Worth a prize.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-1\"<\/a>

\u5409\u5ddd \u52c9<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

The Excellence Award \uff1a Jeravej Hongsakul (IDIN Architects)<\/h4>\r\n

M.L. Varudh Varavarn \/ Founder, Principle Architect of Vin Varavarn Architects<\/h5>\r\n

Harudot Caf\u00e9 distinguishes itself through a thoughtful synthesis of landscape, spatial storytelling, and architectural restraint. While the exterior expression remains deliberately simple, the interior reveals a rich sequence of spaces that unfold gradually as visitors move through the building. Subtle shifts in form, light, and enclosure create moments of discovery, transforming a small program into an engaging spatial journey. Vegetation becomes an active spatial generator rather than mere decoration. By rethinking how a caf\u00e9 can function as an experiential destination rather than simply a place to drink coffee, the project introduces a quiet yet meaningful innovation in caf\u00e9 design, offering visitors a memorable and immersive environment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-6\"<\/a>

M.L. Varudh Varavarn<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Kelly Tan \/ Acting Director of Industry, DesignSingapore Council<\/h5>\r\n

Harudot by Nana Coffee Roasters is deserving of top honours for seamlessly integrating brand storytelling into a functional, yet beautiful structure. Its meticulous attention to detail, from the physical form down to the graphics, create a cohesive user experience that feels deeply rooted in its context. Innovative use of an unconventional material palette featuring coffee grounds, rice, and leaves honours both brand identity and regional culture and context. Beyond aesthetics, the building prioritises sustainability by utilising natural light and air flow to reduce energy consumption. Ultimately, it serves as a strong project that balances practical usefulness with a sophisticated, contemporary design language.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-4\"<\/a>

Kelly Tan<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

IDr Ooi Boon Seong \/ Chief Executive Director of OD&A<\/h5>\r\n

Harudot presents a clear and thoughtful approach to hospitality design, where concept and spatial planning are closely aligned. The idea of \u201cnew beginning\u201d is translated in a direct and physical way through the integration of the baobab tree at the centre of the scheme. The separation of the gable forms allows light, air and natural growth to shape the experience of the space without feeling forced. The contrast between the dark exterior and warm timber interior supports the brand identity in a subtle and controlled manner. What makes this project stand out is its balance between narrative, human scale and practical execution.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-5\"<\/a>

IDr Ooi Boon Seong<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

The Excellence Award \uff1a Jannis Renner\uff08ATELIER BR\u00dcCKNER\uff09<\/h4>\r\n

Seuk Hoon Kim \/ Executive Director of Korean Society of Interior Architects \/ Designers Founder, Creative Director of Studio Eccentric<\/h5>\r\n

The Uzbekistan Pavilion in Expo Osaka 2025 has been a refined and thoughtful pavilion that translates cultural identity into a clear architectural language. The contrast between the grounded clay and brick base with the lightweight timber pergola creates a calm yet expressive spatial order; while the modular system demonstrates a convincing commitment to sustainability. The project stands out for integrating structure, material, and spatial narrative into a coherent visitor journey, balancing regional specificity with a clear contemporary global voice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-10\"<\/a>

Seuk Hoon Kim<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Marco Bevolo \/ Adjunct Professor of Design Futures World University of Design, Founder of Marco Bevolo Consulting<\/h5>\r\n

Storytelling is central to the experience of this pavilion, which adopts notions of scenography and media in its architectural DNA. Uzbekistan is a former USSR Republic, independent since 1991. A country rich of complexity and contradictions, posing a clear challenge to the designers of an Expo pavilion. This concept goes back to the geomantic reality of Uzbekistan, taking direct inspiration from the shape of its surfaces and the colors of its landscape. Traditional craftmanship converts local materials into manmade manifestation, with operational execution combining ancient practices with Japanese norms and regulations. Passive climate strategies and reusability for future public purposes appear in line with the sustainable ambitions of a country where UN SDG\u2019s implementation is above expectations. A darker exhibition area is accessible through a discrete entry point. Ultimately, this pavilion o_ers a vision of the future rooted in historical and geographical, perhaps even geological awareness, towards tomorrow and beyond.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-7\"<\/a>

Marco Bevolo<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Maria vittoria Capitanucci \/ Milan Order of Architects<\/h5>\r\n

Uzbekistan Pavillon: a forest of sustainability, a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional constructive and arts&crafts systems, where regional vocation play in a strong dialogue with international language<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-12\"<\/a>

Maria vittoria Capitanucci<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

\u300cADF DESIGN AWARD 2026\u300dGeneral Review<\/h4>\r\n

Heather Dubbeldam \/ Principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design<\/h5>\r\n

It was an honour to participate in the ADF Design Award jury and review such a wide range of thoughtful and ambitious submissions. The selected projects demonstrate a strong commitment to material intelligence, environmental responsibility, and the careful shaping of spatial experience through light, structure, and form. Many of the most compelling works showed clarity and restraint, allowing architecture to emerge from an understanding of climate, landscape, and human use rather than relying on overt formal expression. A notable strength among the awarded projects was their sensitivity to natural surroundings. Through the careful orientation of spaces, the introduction of sectional light, and the thoughtful use of natural materials, these projects create environments that support well-being and a deeper awareness of place. The work reflects an understanding of architecture not only as an object, but as a framework for lived experience. Collectively, the awarded works demonstrate how contemporary architecture can respond to environmental and cultural conditions with humility and precision, creating spaces that are both deeply grounded in their context and forward-looking in their design.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-3\"<\/a>

Heather Dubbeldam<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Christina Yao \/ China editor of Dezeen \u3000<\/h5>\r\n

ADF Grand Prize and Awards of Excellence this year showcased a consistent architectural interpretation that is rooted in human-centric design. By incorporating nature and natural materials, these projects skilfully balance regional identity with contemporary expression.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-2\"<\/a>

Christina Yao<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Nicola Maniero \/ Architect, Partner of Kengo Kuma and Associates<\/h5>\r\n

The competition featured a big number of entries,and several projects stood out for their quality, particularly those from Japan, which demonstrated notable design rigor and spatial sensitivity. The diversity of approaches and scales was also compelling, ranging from small, intimate interventions to more complex architectural programs. While this heterogeneity enriched the overall selection, it also made the evaluation process more challenging, as it was not always easy to compare works of such different nature on equal terms. For this reason, the role of the jury required careful attention to qualitative criteria rather than purely quantitative ones. Overall, however, the final selection proved convincing, and I am pleased that the winning project clearly embodies the research, sensibility, and architectural quality that emerged throughout the review process.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"adf-web-magazine-adf-design-award-jury-comments-9\"<\/a>

Nicola Maniero<\/p><\/div><\/article>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

International Judges’ Evaluations and Comments on the Winning Entries of the \u300cADF Design Award 2026\u300d oyama Des […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":289151,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"\u300cADF\u30c7\u30b6\u30a4\u30f3\u30a2\u30ef\u30fc\u30c92026\u300d\u5be9\u67fb\u54e1\u30b3\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8 \/ ADF Design Award 2026 Jury Comments #adf #npoadf #awards #judges #evaluation #comments","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[9],"tags":[36,38,49,83,95,110],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/adf-web-magazine-adf-designe-award-2026-1.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295111"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=295111"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295111\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/289151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=295111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=295111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=295111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}