There were 15 award categories in total, covering the whole spectrum of commercial interiors, from hospitality and retail, to public sector and institutional. Returning to the function this year was the American Hardwood Export Council’s Outstanding Use of American Hardwood in the Middle East award and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognised the contribution of an interior design professional to the industry. The latter was sponsored by Marina Home Interiors, which was also the Platinum sponsor of the event.
Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) picked up two of the award’s most prestigious categories as well as the Behind the Scenes award. Principal and managing director Brian Johnson was handed the Lifetime Achievement award, while the firm won Interior Design Firm of the Year as well as the Behind the Scenes award picked up by its staff member, Jayson Nieto.
Johnson was unable to attend, but Andrew Barley, partner at GAJ picked up the Lifetime Achievement award on his behalf.
The Interior Designer of the Year award went to Karen Michelle Evans from HBA International who has worked on numerous projects across the Middle East.
Clemence Cuingnet from Samuel Creations won Young Interior Designer of the Year where she worked extensively on hospitality interiors.
International design firm Wilson Associates won the Interior Design of the Year: Hospitality award for its culturally driven St. Regis Doha project in Qatar.
Bishop Design picked up the Interior Design of the Year: Leisure and Entertainment award for its contemporary spin on traditional Middle Eastern design of the Al Manza restaurant.
The Art Deco styled Legatum Project by Pringle Brandon Perkins + Will won the Interior Design of the Year: Office, praised for being “on brand.”
RW Armstrong walked off with the Interior Design of the Year: Public Sector & Institutional award for its Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority project.
Outdoor Design of the year was awarded to Broadway Interiors for its famous Deck on 8 project located in Media On hotel while Pallavi Dean Interiors picked up the Sustainable Design Initiative of the Year for its Infinia offices project that incorporates elements of biophilic design.
ISG, in its turn, won the Interior Contractor of the Year category with Interior Design of the Year: Residential picked up by Marie Laurent Architecture for its Capricorn Tower.
Marina Home Dubai Mall by Schwitzke & Partner GMBH won the Interior Design of the Year: Retail category.
Finally, AMBB’s The Hub project won American Hardwood Export Council’s use of American Hardwood in the Middle East award.
The judges for the 2013 awards were: Pallavi Dean, design director, Pallavi Dean Interiors; Khalid Shafar, head designer, Khalid Shafar; Linsey Dolan Thomson; interior design teaching fellow, School of Textile Design/ School of Built Environment, Heriot Watt University, Dubai; Dariush Zandi, architect and owner, Total Arts; Marcos Bish, managing director, Summertown Interiors; Alan McCready, managing director, ISG Middle East; Sarka Olivova, senior lighting designer, Preciosa; Tara Rogers, co-founder and managing partner, Mojo Group; Louise Mezzina, partner, Mojo Group; Paul McElroy, partner, Kinnersley Kent Design and Cyril Zammit, fair director, Design Days Dubai.

Commercial Interior Design Award winners 2013
Lifetime Achievement Award (Editorial Selection) Brian Johnson- Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ)
Interior Design of the Year: Hospitality St. Regis Doha by Wilson Associates
Interior Design of the Year: Leisure & Entertainment El Manza by Bishop Design
Interior Design of the Year: Office Legatum Project by Pringle Brandon Perkins + Will
Interior Design of the Year: Public Sector & Institutional Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority by RW Armstrong
Interior Design of the Year: Residential Capricorn Tower by Marie Laurent Architecture
Interior Design of the Year: Retail Marina Home Dubai Mall by Schwitzke & Partner GMBH
Interior Design of the Year: Outdoor Design of the Year Deck on 8 by Broadway Interiors
Sustainable Interior Design Initiative of the Year Infinia offices by Pallavi Dean Interiors
Interior Design Firm of the Year Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ)
Interior Designer of the Year, Middle East Karen Michelle Evans- HBA International
Young Interior Designer of the Year, Middle East Clemence Cuingnet- Samuel Creations
Behind the Scenes Award Jayson Nieto- GAJ
Interior Contractor of the Year – Reader’s Choice Award ISG
American Hardwood Export Council’s Outstanding use of American Hardwood in the Middle East Award The Hub by AMBB