As the world moves on and we deal with all the challenges of today, design can make a statement and effect change for the better. The Influencer category at the 2022 INDE.Awards is one such showcase, that places extraordinary achievement in architecture and design at the forefront of our vision, which is exactly where it should be.

Whether a building or a product, The Influencer seeks to highlight innovative and progressive design that makes a difference and impacts our Indo-Pacific region and the world at large.

Riverbend, Bambu Indah
IBUKU. Image by Stefano Scata

Projects submitted to The Influencer should have sustainable, ethical and grassroots design at the core, with a goal to improve the world. The 2022 INDE.Awards jury will assess submissions to The Influencer on the concept and purpose as well as the real outcomes from the design. The project or product will demonstrate a focus on the needs of people and an ability to do this in an original and creative format. The Influencer should be experimental and visionary to present new or alternate directions in architecture and design that will benefit mankind.

Winners from the past years have come from across the Indo-Pacific region – the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia – and all demonstrate a unique design that supports sustainability, the environment, people and culture.

Microlibraries, by SHAU. Image by SHAU architects/ Sanrok studio

Riverbend, Banbu Indah by IBUKU is a culturally sensitive and sustainably minded jungle eco resort, while Hawker Reload designed by Groundwork Architects and Associates, re-defined the place and role of the Hawker’s Markets in Hong Kong. Microlibraries by SHAU provides attractive and accessible places of learning for students and Central Seat and Drinking Fountain by Steedijk for EMBASSY Living created a new concept to teach primary school children about the importance of water.

Winner last year was CArrelé Brick Collection designed by The Fabrick Lab with Nature Squared. This outstanding product, a new collection of multi-purpose wall and floor tiles, is composed of eggshells. Not only is the result a highly desirable and aesthetically pleasing product with multiple applications but it makes new, waste that would ultimately become landfill.

CArrelé – The Calcium Brick Collection, by Elaine Yan Ling Ng with Nature Squared. Image by Tracy Wong, Miguel Nacianceno

Elaine Ng Yan Ling, Founder, The Fabrick Lab commented that when designing a sustainable product it is imperative, “…to understand the thread of supply chain, what benefit it can make to influence each part of the supply chain” and that along with sustainability the handmade and craftmanship are important. She reiterated, “CArrelé is about bringing in handmade quantities with technology, so that we can maximise productivity and yet remain handmade.”

One of the judges in the 27-strong INDE.Awards jury this year, Luke Yeung, Principal, Architectkidd commented on the importance of The Influencer category, “I see The Influencers being really good at communicating – not just to other designers but beyond to the larger community. Whether it’s the use of technological, social or environmental platforms, the goal of The Influencer is to be able to put design front and centre and get their message across to mainstream and popular society.”

Hawker Reload: Hong Kong Street Market Urban Design and Hawker Stall Implementation, by Groundwork Architects and Associates. Image by Groundwork Architects and Associates, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

So now is the time to spotlight your Influencer project or product and showcase your studio or practice, people and work. The Influencer is a category of the future so make the Indo-Pacific region and the world aware of your forward vision.

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Entries to the 2022 INDE.Awards close on 31/03/2022 at 23:59 AEDT. Entries can be started, modified and submitted here and should be entered according to the Awards’ category criteria.