As the nucleus of design thinking, an architect or designer’s studio is where the magic happens. It’s what takes place within the walls of the building and it is the particular group of people who comprise the practice that makes a studio dynamic and its work extraordinary.

This year the winner of The Design Studio at the INDE.Awards is Smart Design Studio (SDS), recognised for creating a sustainable home with an outstanding team placing them as a leader on every level of design.

Woven Image, as the sponsor of The Design Studio identifies with being the best – investing in sustainable initiatives and creating a great team, ready for the future. Partnering with the INDE.Awards to support practices in The Design Studio amplifies the commitment that the company brings to the A & D community.

Abi Eskdale, International Marketing Manager, Woven Image reflected, “Woven Image has a long-standing commitment to supporting design in the Indo-Pacific region and has been particularly pleased to see the increased emphasis the INDE.Awards has placed on sustainability and sustainable practices in recent years.”

As the winner of The Design Studio, SDS has evolved into one of the leading practices in the region and the category win confirms its place in the architecture and design community. Established in 1997 the practice now resides in a purpose-built home that is not only beautiful but also includes a plethora of sustainable initiatives.

SDS is involved with a diverse range of projects from master-plans for new urban centres, commercial and public projects, through to multi-residential developments and private residences. The practice of some 40 people produces buildings and interiors that have achieved distinction and multiple awards throughout their 24-year journey and now there is another accolade to add to the list.

Eskdale commented, “Smart Design Studio creates inspiring projects, including their amazing offices – which featured EchoPanel on the walls and ceilings to aid acoustic comfort in a space with minimal materials in the design palette. As the floor is tiled, the challenge of acoustics in an industrial warehouse space with a trussed roof are obvious but Woven Image could help address the situation.

There is a great synergy between Smart Design Studio and Woven Image in terms on Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) principles and it is heartening to see sustainability at the very heart of such a practice as Smart Design Studio.”

The team at SDS is divided into five separate groups and each has their own specialisation. However, there is a sharing of knowledge and experience across the groups to ensure that best practice is followed and achieved. Another of the foundations of SDS is its passion for sustainable practice and ESD principles and technology that become a part of the integrity of each design.

Congratulations to Smart Design Studio for creating a process and a place of working that supports design and people. As winner of The Design Studio, it is a practice that sets the agenda for the future to leads the way in design.

And for all the excitement of the INDE.Awards catch up on the gala event here.

Photography Romello Pereira