APIDA 2025: Celebrating Interior Design Excellence

Since 1992, the Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards (APIDA) has been instrumental in recognising and promoting the creativity, innovation and talent influencing the field of interior design in the region.

Organised by Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA), the initiative also raises awareness of interior design as essential to everyday life, while advancing professional standards and ethics within interior design practices.

As it entered its 33^rd year in 2025, APIDA continued its efforts in giving industry recognition to outstanding projects and designers who have successfully demonstrated their capability and dedication, and, more importantly, have contributed to their profession and society at large.

The year’s entries reflected the awards’ expanding global reach and the field’s evolving landscape, with projects by designers across the Asia Pacific region, including Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.

The awards ceremony, held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 16 December 2025, was attended by more than 200 guests, including industry professionals, educators, supporting partners, and media partners.

Best Brand Award (Bespoke Furnishings): Artisan Arch. Photo by MMC

Best Brand Award (Decorative Architectural Glass): Orientop Limited. Photo by MMC

Best Brand Award (Kitchens): SieMatic Hong Kong & Macau (Kowloon Extreme Lifestyle Limited). Photo by MMC

Best Brand Award (Wall Coverings): KINLAND Smart Wall Solution. Photo by MMC

Winning projects were presented with awards in Gold, Silver, Bronze, Distinction, Excellence, and Judge’s Choice in 13 design categories (except the Emerging Design Firm category). On the same night, four design companies were honoured with the Best Brand Award in recognition of their consistent quality, innovative product development and contribution to the industry.

Here are the Gold Award winners of the 33^rd APIDA 2025. For the full list of winners, visit http://apida.hk/winner-detail/2025.

Category: Food Space

Gold Award and Judge’s Choice Winner: Minnan Tea Salon · Cheng Yi En by Scope Design

Guided by the philosophy of “repair the old as it was, integrate old and new”, the century-old Minnan dwelling in a historic alley of Zhangzhou, Fujian, China was thoughtfully transformed into a serene tea salon that honours the essence of its original architecture.

Category: Installation & Exhibition Space

Gold Award Winner: Toyota City Museum by Tanseisha Co., Ltd.

A key feature of the museum is its 7.8-metre-tall collective exhibition glass cubes, which display materials that tell the story of the city, including nature, history, archaeology, folklore and industry. The museum, as a whole, highlights not only the birthplace of Toyota Motor Corporation but also the local identity for Toyota City residents.

Category: Leisure & Entertainment Space

Gold Award Winner: Cultural Arena at New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office

The interior design of the performance hall serves two purposes: it reflects the contemporary interpretation of its concept, “the arena”, while also meeting the acoustic requirements of the theatre.

Category: Institutional Space

Gold Award and Judge’s Choice Winner: The Yard, Dalian Cultural Center by Neri&Hu Design and Research Office

The project is a new mixed-use creative development located in the heart of Dalian City, Liaoning, China. With its close proximity to university campuses and software parks, The Yard aims to serve students and the surrounding community. It consists of galleries, retail spaces, hospitality venues, a cinema, a theatre, and office spaces.

Category: Shopping Space

Gold Award Winner: Xiangcheng Paradise Walk by Arizon

The interior design of the shopping mall is biophilic, inspired by water towns and classical gardens for which the prefectural city of Suzhou is renowned.

Its standout feature is the “Moon Island”, a cross-floor urban natural island spanning more than 3,000 square metres on the upper floors (L5-L6), exemplifying the project’s innovative approach to merging social spaces with experiential retail.

Category: Retail Space

Gold Award Winner: Reading Mi, Zhuhai by Panorama Design Group

Designed with exploration, discovery and nature in mind, the Zhuhai, China branch of Reading Mi comprises a retail zone, a children’s area, and a café. The bookstore is envisioned as a “Garden of Knowledge”, creating a forest-like ambience through its layout, furniture and natural lighting, allowing visitors to relax, enjoy and be inspired.

Category: Hotel Space

Gold Award Winner: The Standard Singapore by Ministry of Design Pte Ltd

With customised furniture and lighting, the Standard Singapore’s interior combines tropical botanical elements with the hotel’s mid-century modern design, while ensuring efficiency and guest experience within a compact footprint.

Category: Sample Space

Gold Award Winner: Oriental Villa by C&C Design Co., Ltd.

The space is designed based on three key concepts – relaxation, social interaction, and micro-vacation – incorporating Chengdu’s ubiquitous relaxed vibe and portraying the residential space as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Category: Living Space

Gold Award Winner: X House by Tanliyu Studio

The staircase in this home weaves through all four floors, allowing each level to be experienced every day. As sunlight pours in, the owner is able to appreciate the beauty of the sky above and the natural light that fills the interior.

Category: Small Living Space

Gold Award Winner: Hitotema Home by Hock Hoon

Hitotema Home is a reimagining of a compact apartment inspired by Japanese design principles, while considering the clients’ lifestyle needs. The result is a home that is flexible in design and function, simultaneously enhancing privacy and maintaining spatial flow.

Category: Work Space

Gold Award Winner: The Henderson Workspace Interior by Henderson Land Development Company Limited

Inspired by the bud of the Bauhinia plant, Henderson’s workspace in the heart of Hong Kong has been redesigned to prioritise sustainability, employee well-being, and operational efficiency.

To achieve this, the design incorporates advanced technology, ranging from enhancing air quality and climate control to supporting various workplace models. The project has earned 10 Platinum-level certifications in sustainability and smart building standards, including SmartScore and WELL.

Category: Student Design

Gold Award and Judge’s Choice Winner: MUDDY STREAM by Kwong Kai Nam Ivan (Hong Kong Design Institute)

The project focuses on bridging urban living and nature, creating spaces for self-reflection, serenity and emotional expression. With water as a soothing centrepiece, Mr Kwong has designed areas such as the Water Counseling Center and the Water Curtain Cave where individuals can reconnect with themselves, restore their balance, and rekindle their passion for life.

Category: Emerging Design Firm

APIDA 2025 Emerging Design Firm: ARTA Architects

Established in 2021, ARTA Architects is dedicated to artistic exploration while pushing the boundaries of architecture. They have since created over 30 public spaces in Hong Kong that inspire creativity and community engagement.

Some of their prominent works include interior designs for Aberdeen Boat Club and Vega Suites, their award-winning Tai Kwun Chairs and Clover Collective furniture showcase, and their sustainability-driven project Recycled Glass Butterflies, where they collaborated with non-governmental organisations to create eco-conscious, inclusive spaces.