Gustaf Westman and Wendy Saunders revealed as Dezeen Awards 2026 judges
Interior designer Wendy Saunders, designer Gustaf Westman, design director Zhou Tan and sustainable entrepreneur Ramnath Sri Ram 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. Submit your projects by 27 May to avoid late entry fees.
Now in its ninth year, the programme has become the ultimate benchmark for architects and designers everywhere, with winners selected by a prestigious panel of international judges.
Read on to find out more about who will be judging this year's entries:
Co-founder of Shanghai-based practice Aim Architecture Saunders, will judge this year's interior design entries.
The studio, established alongside her partner Vincent de Graaf, is focused on designing buildings and spaces that encourage social change and cultivate human connections.
Recent projects include the transformation of oil silos into a community park, a rural resort complete with tentacle-like canopies and a beauty store informed by underground factories.
Joining this year's jury is Stockholm-based designer Westman, founder of his eponymous design studio.
Westman's work is characterised by bright and playful objects rooted in simplicity, with his practice spanning made-to-order furniture, bespoke design pieces and homeware objects.
The designer has partnered with major brands, with recent collaborations including a colourful tableware set for Westman's debut IKEA collection, a pink Mercedes-Benz complete with a pull-out picnic table and a playful three-person bed for dating app Feeld.
Bringing his expertise in sustainable business to this year's judging panel is Sri Ram, founder of Supreme Creations and chair of the UK-India Creative Circle.
Sri Ram is a pioneer of eco-friendly packaging solutions, with his industrial company Supreme Creations introducing the concept of reusable grocery bags to the British public.
The group continues to supply major global brands including Nike, Dior and Selfridges, as well as being an ethical supplier to the British royal household.
Sri Ram also founded Wings of Hope, a UK-based children's charity, as well as SurpRice, an innovative plant-based leather alternative.
Tan, co-founder of Design Shanghai and managing director of Clarion Shanghai, will sit alongside Westman and Sri Ram on the design judging panel.
Tan brings more than twenty years experience in the creative industries to the jury and currently leads operations for Design Shanghai and Design China Beijing.
Speaking to Dezeen, Tan reflected on a renewed consumer interest in locally designed and manufactured products in China.
Three weeks left to enter!
There are just three 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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