Meet the Judges: SBID Product Design Awards 2020 (Part 2)

With the deadline to enter the SBID Product Design Awards officially extended, and the judging process primed and ready to commence, get to know the remaining judges for 2020!

A technical judging panel will determine the finalists to be announced, with the impressive international jury set to contribute 70% to the final winners’ scores and the remaining 30% taken from the public vote!

This year’s Judges include:

Henry Reeve  |  Director of Interior Design, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)

Henry is Director of Design at InterContinental Hotels Group. He is responsible for creating the interior design and guest experience for IHG’s Kimpton and Hotel Indigo brands across Europe. Since joining IHG in January 2015, Henry has worked across some of IHG’s most celebrated and award-winning design projects, including the launch of the first Kimpton hotel outside of the Americas – Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam. He has led the teams responsible for the design of all new Hotel Indigo properties over the last 5 years. As well as designing new hotels in IHG’s pipeline, Henry has worked on more than 20 refurbishment projects across IHG’s existing hotels.

Kar Hwa Ho  |  Head of Inerior Architecture, Zaha Hadid Architects

Kar first worked with Zaha Hadid Architects in 1985 following his studies with Zaha Hadid at the Architectural Association. After completing his studies in the UK and USA, Kar worked on projects around the world for Kohn Pederson Fox and Louis Vuitton Malletier, with a focus on interior architecture, commercial developments and retail design before re-joining ZHA as Head of Interior Architecture in 2014. His residential interiors, in particular, have won numerous awards and have been widely published.

Trevor Cotterell  |  Managing Director, Areen Design

Trevor Cotterell became the Managing Director of Areen Design in 1989. Since then, he has led the UK based group through many successes, including the acquisition of Richmond International in 1991 and Pascall+Watson in 2015. Trevor now leads over 120 interior designers, architects and procurement specialists in delivering fast-paced, large scale projects in some of the world’s most challenging regions and the group now employs over 350 people across 6 offices, worldwide. As a director of each Areen Group company, Trevor drives the strategic growth of the Group by fostering the skills and specialisms of each company, encouraging cross-pollination and opportunities to put the Group’s complementary skills into action.

Dr. Jeff Ning  |  President, Wanda Hotels and Resorts

Dr. Ning is the President of Wanda Hotels & Resorts. During his tenure at Wanda, he has led the design, construction and operation management of over 100 upscale and luxury hotels. Under his leadership, these hotels have won many prestigious international design awards, including the SBID Awards, Gold Key Awards, IIDA-Best of Asia Pacific Design Awards, Hospitality Design Awards and many more.

Heinz Richardson  |  Principal, Jestico + Whiles

Heinz is the Principal of Jestico + Whiles. He has been instrumental in building up the size and international reputation of the practice for high quality client focussed design. He has a respected expertise within the design world in the fields of sustainable design, residential and complex and demanding projects. Most recently he has overseen the multi-award winning restoration of Sir John Soane’s Pitzhanger Manor. Heinz has lectured widely, both here and abroad and is a Civic Trust awards assessor. He is also a client advisor on a number of projects. In his time as a Director he has overseen numerous award-winning projects and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Katharine Pooley  |  CEO and Founder, Katharine Pooley Ltd

Katharine Pooley is one of the most sought-after interior designers working internationally today. Recently named ‘British Interior Designer of the Decade’, ‘International Designer in Asia of the Year’, and ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’, her design ethos is both highly respected and uniquely far reaching. Overseeing her team of 47 interior designers and architects, her eponymous Knightsbridge Design Studio was established over 15 years ago and continues to create unmatched luxury interior designs for landmark commercial and residential projects in London and Worldwide for the most discerning clients.

Carolina Sandri  |  Creative Director, Casa Forma

Carolina has more than a decade of experience on the design and implementation of high-end interior design and architecture projects in London and around the globe. Trained as an Architect, she established her own architectural business in her native country Brazil before moving to London 15 years ago. As the Creative Director at the award-winning luxury design studio Casa Forma, she is responsible for delivering leading-edge residential schemes for international high net worth individuals and property developers.

Nicholas Cowell  |  Director, Cowell Group

Nicholas Cowell is the Co-founder of The Estate Office and most recently the Cowell Group. He is responsible for residential and commercial acquisitions and specialises in advising on the sale and acquisitions of large portfolios. Nicholas is also a Director on the Board of a number of successful property companies, working closely with joint venture partners and high net worth local and overseas investors. His knowledge of the property market is unparalleled through 30 years’ experience and working deals to maximise returns.

David Chang  |  Founder & Design Director, David Chang Design Associates International

David Chang, founder of David Chang Design Associates International (DCDA), a registered Professional member of NCIDQ, ASID, SBID and IIDA, has over 25 years of experience in hospitality and high-end residential interior design and management experiences in North America and Asia.

In 1998, David Chang founded David Chang Design Associates International (DCDA) in Vancouver, Canada, and expanded to China market in 2006, established firms in Guangzhou, Beijing and Taipei, to provide exclusive upscale design services on landmark projects for local top developers. 

Lesley McMillan  |  Interior Designer, The City of Edinburgh Council

Lesley is an award-winning interior and architectural designer. With a 20-year career spanning residential and commercial design. Wellbeing is paramount in Lesley’s designs with a passion for holistic, sustainable, inclusive and therapeutic design, particularly applicable to the diverse range of public buildings she has designed interiors for in her role at City of Edinburgh Council. 

Graham Robinson  |  Showroom and Design Manager, Halcyon Interiors

Graham is the Design Manager at Halcyon Interiors flagship, on London’s Wigmore Street; a road that has become the epicentre of kitchen design. Over the last 20 years he has developed a passion of contemporary design and honed his eye for meticulous detail, allowing him to create practical kitchens that look stunning for many years to come.

Simone de Gale  |  CEO & Director, Simone de Gale Architects

Simone de Gale Architects (SGA), is based in exclusive Belgravia, London, UK, whose style is grounded in luxury developments. Winner ‘Architect of Year’ 2017, ‘International Entrepreneur of the Year’ 2018, ‘Westminster Lion’ 2018, SGA is now developing its international portfolio, the first project, a £200m masterplan in Tbilisi, Georgia. As well as securing a large scale masterplan project, the company has secured other international projects; in Croatia, Abu Dhabi, the Caribbean, and USA, as well as developing current opportunities in Ukraine. 

Constantina Tsoutsikou  |  Founder & Creative Director, STUDIO LOST

Constantina is the Founder of Lost, a brand new studio focusing on high-end, hospitality, residential and boutique commercial projects in collaboration with the industry’s most respected global brands. Having led the European arm of International hospitality giant HBA for many years, Constantina has worked on award-winning hotel projects around the globe, creating also an array of bespoke products and furniture lines for her clients along the way.

Click here to view the full judging panel.