Daniel Libeskind and Nzinga Biegueng Mboup revealed as Dezeen Awards 2026 judges

Architects Daniel Libeskind and Nzinga Biegueng Mboup and designers Joonas Vartola and Budiman Ong have joined the judging panel for Dezeen Awards 2026.

Dezeen Awards, in partnership with Trimble, is searching for the world's best architecture, interiors and design.

There are just two weeks left until entries close! Submit your projects by 23:59 London time on Wednesday 27 May for the chance to put your work in front of our stellar panel of industry-leading judges.

Read on to find out more about who will be judging this year's entries:

Polish-American architect Libeskind, founder and principal architect of New York City-based Studio Libeskind, will join the architecture judging panel for Dezeen Awards 2026.

Libeskind's practice works internationally across urban, cultural and commercial projects, as well as social housing.

Speaking to Dezeen, Libeskind explained how architects need to overcome stigmas tied to social housing, arguing that better quality low-cost housing is one of the most urgent issues facing the world today.

The studio's recent projects include a hospital enclosed with slanted walls, an angular Holocaust memorial in Amsterdam and plans for a geometric housing development in Prague.

Joining Libeskind on this year's architecture jury is Senegalese architect Mboup, co-founder of Dakar-based practice Worofila.

The practice specialises in construction using earth and locally sourced natural materials, with notable projects including the Ngor Vertical House, the Goethe-Institut in Dakar developed in collaboration with Kéré Architecture and the Labo x Fou training centre in Sébikotane, Senegal.

Alongside practising architecture, Mboup has taught at Columbia University and produced a film on earthen architecture in Senegal that was exhibited at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale. She also leads a research program with the Canadian Centre for Architecture.

Joining Mboup on the design panel is Vartola, a Finnish designer and chief design officer at pod company Framery.

Vartola has a background in automotive and industrial design, with his portfolio including work at Tesla and Pininfarina, as well as the co-founding of Helsinki-based consultancy Ultra Design & Strategy.

Vartola oversees Framery's design ecosystem, which includes furniture, technology and spatial ergonomics. Speaking to Dezeen, he explained how he aims to bring a design culture to the company.

Indonesian designer Ong, co-founder of Jia Curated and founder of lighting brand Ong Cen Kuang, will also judge this year's design entries.

Ong combines traditional craftsmanship and modern design through his decorative lighting brand.

Ong is also a co-founder of Jia Curated, an annual, multi-day event in Bali that celebrates craft, design and culture. In an interview with Dezeen, Ong explained how the festival could carve out a new identity for Indonesian design.

Two weeks left to enter!

There are just two weeks left to enter Dezeen Awards 2026. Enter your projects by 23:59 London time on 27 May before it's too late!

With 49 categories to choose from, whether you work in architecture, interiors or design, there's a category for you.

Creating an entry is easy! Simply create an account or log in via our entry platform, answer five simple questions and upload your best project imagery.

Dezeen Awards 2026 in partnership with Trimble

Dezeen Awards is the ultimate accolade for architects and designers worldwide. The ninth edition of the annual awards is in partnership with global technology company Trimble. Through connected hardware and software solutions, Trimble helps designers to transform the way they shape spaces and buildings as well as drive productivity in the process. Trimble's collaboration with Dezeen Awards demonstrates its ongoing commitment to inspiring and supporting creative excellence across the globe.

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