Dezeen Awards China has announced the Designers of the Year winners, which include Line+ Studio, Yatofu and Min Chen, at a ceremony in Shanghai.
The Designers of the Year awards recognise emerging and established talent whose innovative work has had a notable impact on the industry across architecture, interiors and design.
Line+ Studio and Min Chen among winners
Line+ Studio took home the architect of the year award with HCCH Studio named emerging architect of the year.
Interior designer of the year was awarded to W Design run by Bin Wu, and international studio Yatofu was crowned emerging interior designer of the year.
Min Chen won designer of the year with Shanghai-based studio MMR Studio named emerging designer of the year.
View the winning studios on the Dezeen Awards China website or read below:
Architect of the year: Line+ Studio
Line+ studio was founded by Fanhao Meng and Peidong Zhu in 2017. From the construction of urban space to the revitalization of rural China, Line+ responds to and interprets diverse connotations of contemporary culture, while consciously balance the economic efficiency of each project.
The studio's recent projects include Woven Gateway and Sky Ring and Yunhai Forest Service Station.
"This prolific studio has consistently demonstrated a great balance of design creativity and quality control," said the architecture judges. "The sensitivity towards local culture is evident through the materiality in each project."
Read more about Line+ Studio ›
Emerging interior designer of the year: HCCH Studio
HCCH was founded by Hao Chen and Chenchen Hu in 2018. The multi-disciplinary practice is active across architecture, interiors, and public art. HCCH engages projects that serve public functions, and aims to increase social value and environmental benefits in each project through innovative and experimental approaches.
One of their most recent projects is a shell-like brick pavilion in Longyou County and the Twisting Tower and Spiral Station, part of the Shanghai Lingang Ecological Restoration Project.
"This young and small studio approaches each project with a unique care for the cultural and environmental context of the site, the subtle architectural intervention always puts the community it serves at heart," said the judges.
Interior designer of the year: W Design
W Design was founded by Wu Bin. Known for its modern orientalism aesthetics and design language, W Design's work explores the relationship between man and nature, using art to enhance the interior experience as one of its key signatures.
Recent projects designed by W Design include CR Sanya Haitang Bay in Sanya and Deqin Meri Poodom Hotel in Meili, China.
"W Design uses well considered material to create cohesive design that respects the architecture. Simple and effective details support the overall concept," interior judge Yabu Pushelberg commented.
Emerging interior designer of the year: Yatofu
Yatofu was founded by Angela Lindahl and Yihan Xiang in 2017 in Helsinki. Their innate sensitivity to cultural nuances allows them to bravely challenge boundaries while celebrating diversity, with a focus on evoking emotional responses.
The studio recently completed a furniture showroom in Hangzhou and a teahouse in downtown Helsinki.
"The multi-cultural background of the studio infuses a unique character into their work – natural materials and playful use of colour create tactile and comforting interiors, from home to retail, " said the judges.
Designer of the year: Chen Min Office
Min Chen's production ranges from object design to creative direction. He has dedicated his work to promoting Chinese design by identifying the best bonding point of tradition and modernization, east and west, without simplifying it as an aesthetic style.
Recent projects by Chen include neooold gallery and a bench made of bamboo.
"A prominent advocate of Chinese design on the global stage, Chen not only continuously produces work that challenges the traditional definition of Chinese design, but also actively supports young Chinese design talents with innovative ideas through his curation of Neooold exhibition," said the judges.
Read more about Chen Min Office ›
Emerging designer of the year: MMR Studio
MMR Studio was founded by Zhongyu Zhang in 2021 in Shanghai. Its work incorporates cultural traces from urban transformation into the materials and the textures it uses to evoke emotional response, while respecting craftsmanship.
Recent projects include the Hulu Series joined by a bamboo weaving process and Hana Wine Cabinet which explore the material possibilities of North American maple.
"Zhongyu Zhang from MMR studio keenly captures the details of her life and her hometown of Inner Mongolia, where she grew up, and translates them into creative works with a systematic approach," said judge Mario Tsai.
Dezeen Awards China 2024 in partnership with Bentley
Dezeen Awards China is the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across China. The second edition of the annual awards programme is in partnership with Bentley as part of a wider collaboration to inspire, support and champion design excellence and showcase innovation that creates a better and more sustainable world. This ambition complements Bentley's architecture and design business initiatives, including the Bentley Home range of furnishings and real estate projects around the world.