2023 Judging Panel

Tadao Kamei

Born in 1955, Tadao Kamei is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (1978) and Waseda University (1981). He has 40 years of experience in mixed-use complex, sports facilities and institutional facilities.  His major works include Shibuya Scramble Square, YKK 80 Building, The Diet Members’ Office Building, Tokyo Station City GRANROOF, Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Sky Tree.

His winning international competitions include One Za’abeel in Dubai (2014), the Future Camp Nou in Barcelona (2016), Sberbank City in Moscow (2019) and Rizhsky Innovation Yard in Moscow (2019).　His works have been recognized by domestic and international awards such as JIA Fine Architecture Selected Work, JIA Environmental Architecture Award / Best Award, BCS (Building Construction Society) Award, AIJ Selected Architectural Designs, Association of Railway Architects Prize / Best Association Award, Ashihara Yoshinobu Award Mention, Nikkei New Office Award, Kanagawa Architecture Concours / Prize for Excellence, the Annual Business Week/Architectural Record Awards and KUKAN Design Award / KUKAN OF THE YEAR.

He was a jury member of Golden Trezzini Award, Shin-Kenchiku Urban Public Space Design Competition, Hulic Students Idea Competition and Central Glass International Architectural Design Competition.

Daniela Holt Voit

Daniela Holt Voith, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, IIDA, is a founding partner of Voith & Mactavish Architects LLP who believes that great architecture reflects innovation in the context of tradition. Her award-winning work ranges from the creation of high-tech Ivy League classrooms through the thoughtful design of bespoke single-family residential commissions. She is President of the ICAA Philadelphia Chapter and serves on the Board of the Design Leadership Foundation.

Anne-Marie Buemann

Managing Partner Anne-Marie Buemann (born 1973) holds a degree international marketing management and has worked as a consultant within a number of creative industries before joining OEO Studio in 2003. With 20 years of professional experience in the fields of branding, design and concept development, Anne-Marie Buemann leads daily operations at OEO Studio as well as being responsible for driving a broad range of projects in close collaboration with Head of Design and Founding Partner Thomas Lykke.

OEO Studio was founded in 2003 and is based in Copenhagen with a project office in Tokyo, Japan. OEO Studio has created award-winning designs for a broad spectre of discerning clients, from the interiors of Michelin-starred restaurants to aspirational objects that have earned their place in the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Design Museum in Copenhagen.

Luca Albero

Luca Albero was born in Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy in 1974.

He worked as Worldwide Visual Merchandising Director for Fendi from 2003 to 2018

And is currently Dior’s Worldwide Visual Merchandising Director since 2018

J Lee Rofkind

J Lee is HOK's regional leader of Hospitality Design in the Asia Pacific Region. Based in Hong Kong, she brings 30 years of experience in hotel design including architecture, operations, interior design, art, lighting and landscape. Her global portfolio includes work with leading hospitality brands including Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, St .Regis, Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt International.

J Lee was a founding member and past president of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. She also served on the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's Infrastructure and Development Board.

Ed Ng

At ab concept, Ed Ng is a Principal and Co-founder with extensive experience in the design industry. Exceptional skills in Strategic Planning, Marketing Strategy, Interior Architecture, and Sustainable Design.

About ab concept: We are a design studio founded in Hong Kong, in 1999 by architect Terence Ngan and interior designer Ed Ng. Over twenty years we have built a global portfolio of commercial and residential interiors, bringing the values of our clients to life in physical space with soul. We work as creative partners with many of the world’s leading hospitality brands to create compelling interior environments that make people feel present in the moment. We design furniture, lighting and textiles that are charming of character and easy to use. We believe in the power of good design to shape our human experience and leave a positive imprint on the mind. Design is a craft to enhance our quality of life; it allows us to be ourselves, to be together, to be present, to be moved and inspired. Ultimately, design is about being.

Thomas Lykke

Head of Design & Founder Thomas Lykke (born 1971) trained as a fashion designer in Copenhagen and San Francisco before turning his eye to the design industry where he worked as Interiors Editor at Wallpaper* Magazine from 2000-2003 before setting up his own design company, OEO Studio, in Copenhagen in 2003.

Since 2011, Thomas Lykke has held the position as Creative Director for Japanese textile maker Hosoo and from 2009-2011, Thomas Lykke was part of the Creative Force for Scandinavian luxury lifestyle brand Georg Jensen. Back in 2011, OEO Studio shaped the strategic and creative direction of the Shanghai-based design brand Stellar Works and Thomas Lykke held the position as Creative Director of Stellar Works from 2011 to 2013. Thomas Lykke is also member of the Danish Design Council since 2015.

OEO Studio was founded in 2003 and is based in Copenhagen with a project office in Tokyo, Japan. OEO Studio has created award-winning designs for a broad spectre of discerning clients, from the interiors of Michelin-starred restaurants to aspirational objects that have earned their place in the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Design Museum in Copenhagen. 

Koichi Tanaka

Koichi Tanaka is the founder and CEO, and Director of LIGHTLINKS, a Japanese lighting designer and consultant and has a wealth of experience in Japan, Hong Kong and Europe. He graduated from University College London with a Master’s degree in Light and Lighting, which is Europe's long standing lighting specialist graduate course. He has worked for several well-known lighting manufacturers and design firms in Japan and Europe. His professional background will make it possible in a design process to easily communicate with the project managers, architects, designers, contractors, and other consultants for any type of international projects.

LIGHTLINKS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED was founded in Hong Kong and Tokyo to provide professional lighting design and consulting services for wide range of projects. LIGHTLINKS's design philosophy is literally based on “LINKAGE”. They see LIGHT as a valuable media, which can link people with society and function as a bridge between people who have different cultures and custom and believe LIGHT is something that can link art, design and technology. Some of the major works include: in Hong Kong, “The Mills”, “Central Market”, “The Quayside”, in Macau “MGM Cotai Emerald Villas”, “Melco Studio City Phase2”, In China, “Hyatt Regency Liberation Square Chongqing”, “Shenzhen Prince Bay K11&Dpark”, “Nohga Hotel Akihabara Tokyo” in Japan, etc.