Spanning interior designers and architects with expertise across geographies and spatial typologies, these 10 creatives make up the March jury.

Akanksha Gupta, partner at Vijay Gupta Architects

As a partner at Vijay Gupta Architects, a six-decade-old practice based in New Delhi, Akanksha Gupta expresses her long-standing interest in material and technological innovation through her work. Gupta’s contribution to the institutional design sector, with a focus on the design and construction of schools, emphasizes her commitment to creating research-based, user-centric spaces. Some of her most notable works and clients include Amity University, Amity International School, EuroSchool India and more.

Alvaro Paredes, principal and partner at DesignLab

Alvaro Paredes is a principal and partner at DesignLab, bringing nearly 15 years of expertise in hospitality design to the practice. Originally from Spain, his passion for travel and cultural exploration led him to Asia, where he gained valuable experience at prestigious design firms before cofounding DesignLab. Paredes sets the strategic direction for the studio, overseeing projects from conception to completion. His portfolio includes high-profile collaborations with renowned brands like Aman Resorts, Cheval Blanc and Mandarin Oriental, spanning the Middle East, Caribbean, Asia and Europe.

Arjun Malik, principal architect at Malik Architecture

Arjun Malik is the principal architect at Malik Architecture, a multidisciplinary design practice founded in 1976. Carrying forward the legacy of his father, Kamal Malik, who established the practice 49 years ago, Arjun Malik has been instrumental in continuing to shape its design philosophy, which prioritizes the balance of nature, culture, social structures and economics, to deliver human- and nature-centric spaces. As an active member of the design community, Malik has served as a juror across industry awards programmes and as a panellist and keynote speaker.

Blair Cooper, creative director at Seen Studios

With 15 years in the retail design and brand experience sector, Blair Cooper is an experienced creative director who has sharpened her skills in roles across the globe, in Melbourne, New York and London. Before becoming creative director at Seen Studios, Cooper has worked for brands such as Nike North America and Cotton On Group and continues to work with leading brands in the retail and brand activation space. In addition to her extensive experience in concept development, spatial design and brand storytelling, she is passionate about collaboration and mentorship within the design community.

Budiman Ong, cofounder of Ong Cen Kuang and Jia Curated

Budiman Ong is a designer-maker based in Bali, originally from Sumatra, Indonesia. After receiving his degree in applied arts at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, Scotland, he returned to Bali, where he worked as a lifestyle designer until 2008 when he cofounded Ong Cen Kuang to focus on decorative lighting. The studio, present across Asia, Europe and the USA, has been commissioned for projects such as the Jacyz Hotel in Sweden, JW Marriott in the Maldives, Como Shambala in Bali and the Cabinet Meeting Room of the new Presidential Palace (IKN) in Indonesia. In 2022, Ong cofounded Jia Curated, an annual, multi-day event celebrating craft, design and culture.

Cai Peng, founder and principal architect at Infinite

Cai Peng is the founder and principal architect at Infinite, a Shenzhen-based architectural practice he established in 2012. Over his decade-plus-long career as an architect, he has designed over 50 projects spanning typologies including transit spaces, ultra-high rise buildings, hotels, museums, homes, commercial spaces and more. In all of his work, he advocates for creating people-centric spaces.

Julião Pinto Leite, partner at OODA

After completing his architecture studies in his native Portugal, Julião Pinto Leite began his career abroad in London before returning to his home country where he joined OODA as an architect. Now a partner at OODA, Leite has been active with several large-scale projects throughout Portugal. In addition to his practice as an architect, he is a frequent participant in architecture conferences and is an illustrator.

Lewis P. Lu, head of planning and design department at Shenzhen Qianhai & Shekou Free Trade Zone Investment Development Co. Ltd.

After receiving an undergraduate degree in architecture at the University of Melbourne, Lewis P. Lu went on to obtain an MBA after beginning his design career. His technical and commercial background has primed his success in urban development in his work as head of planning and design department at Shenzhen Qianhai & Shekou Free Trade Zone Investment Development Co. Ltd. He has a vested interest in designing sustainable cities through technological and empathetic design strategies, which can allow cities to achieve energy efficiency, emissions reduction and ecological harmony.

Shelley Baxter, design director New York at March and White Design

A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Shelley Baxter graduated from the Glasgow School of Art with an honours degree in interior design. Baxter has worked at March and White Design (MAWD) for over 13 years, starting her career in the practice’s London studio. Once leading the design team within the London studio, she moved to New York, where she leads MAWD's New York interiors team. Today, she oversees and manages all large-scale luxury hospitality, residential and yachting projects in regions including New York, Miami, West Palm Beach, Washington, D.C., the Caribbean and beyond, working on notable collaborations and activations with organizations such as Artemest, ICFF and Rolls Royce among others.

Valeria Tihinia, interior design manager

Valeria Tihinia has been an interior designer for over 14 years. As an interior design manager and host of The Design Pod podcast, Tihinia’s shares her expertise in designing hospitality spaces across regions such as Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, across all her work. Her work, ranging from product design to large-scale architectural developments, is always driven by strong narratives that balance creative and functional solutions.