August 13 saw the 2020 INDE Program reach its crescendo, with a digital gala that brought all corners of the globe together for a night of virtual celebrations. In a year that has presented so many challenges, it was incredible to see the community connect and acknowledge all the incredible achievements from architects and designers across the Indo Pacific.

In the time since entries opened in November 2019, we knew we were in for a big INDE season. With 473 entries from 14 countries in the region, our jury were set the difficult task of selecting a shortlist from some of the outstanding entries the INDE’s had ever seen. Their job was made more challenging with the introduction of two decade defining categories: Best of the Decade in the Work Space and the Living Space. Recognising projects that display exceptional execution and lasting impact in each sector, these new categories paid special acknowledgement to the contribution our region has made to global design narratives over the past 10 years.

The 2020 INDE.Awards trophies

From our pool of entrants, a shortlist of 162 was announced, taking the INDE program to its next stage. As shortlisters began their celebrations, we opened People’s Choice voting for our two Best of the Decade categories, with over 5,954 votes lodged from across the world.

At last, the INDE.Awards gala evening arrived, bringing with it the promise of a wholly digital event which would see the INDE community expand to an unprecedented level. While we may be in an environment that is keeping us apart, the INDE Digital Gala brought us together, with over 27 countries tuning in to discover the 2020 winners.

Manfred Yuen (Groundwork Architects and Associates) participating in the INDE.Awards Digital Gala Inner Circle stream

Throughout the evening, partners, judges, ambassadors and short listers came together to view the awards in an engaging and interactive format. With a virtual networking session and live chat, the “inner circle” stream was an opportunity to see some old and new faces and congratulate the winners in real time. This session was an overwhelming success, with over 397 registered viewers and multiple viewing parties.

“We were blown away by the seamlessness, the joyful representation of design and the presence of your team in the messaging and the presenting” – Robyn Lindsey, Geyer.

Running alongside the inner circle stream, the broader community engaged with a live stream of the gala that saw the largest ever INDE gala audience since its inception four years ago. From 6:30pm (AEST), 942 people from 27 countries joined in to watch the ceremony, with an additional 8,493 views (and counting!) across social media, Youtube and on-demand catchup.

Click here to watch the gala and relive our industry’s night of nights.

Office of Palinda Kannangara Architects enjoying an INDE.Awards Digital Gala watch party from Sri Lanka

In a night that puts the spotlight on our great industry, the entire INDE.Awards team would like to offer a special congratulations to the 2020 award recipients: Andra Matin (The Luminary), Bates Smart (The Wellness Space), CHAT Architects (The Building), David Flack and Mark Robinson (The Prodigy), Design Collective Architects (Best of the Decade: The Living Space – People’s Choice), Essential Design Integrated (Best of the Decade: The Living Space – People’s Choice), Geyer (Best of the Decade: The Work Space – People’s Choice), Goy Architects (Best of the Best, The Social Space), Hogg & Lamb (The Multi-Residential Building, The Shopping Space), IBUKU (The Influencer), International Towers (Best of the Decade: The Work Space – People’s Choice), John Wardle Architects (The Learning Space), LAAB Architects (The Design Studio), Palinda Kannangara Architects (Best of the Decade: The Living Space), Partners Hill (The Multi-Residential Building), Urban Rural System (The Living Space), Woods Bagot (Best of the Decade: The Work Space, The Work Space) and Zachary Hanna for nau (The Object).

“Thankyou to the INDE.Awards and the INDE.Awards Jury for this recognition. We felt so honoured to be nominated alongside amazing projects from across the Asia Pacific. For our small and young team, this is an amazing affirmation and we sincerely thank you once again for this award” – Goy Architects

Click here to see the full list of winners and honourable mentions.

Goy Zhenru, Sam Loetman and Dessy Anggadewi (Goy Architects) accepting their Best of the Best award from Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia

We have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement we received from the industry as we realised the INDE.Awards in a digital format. We would like to thank our Jury, ambassadors and all our entrants for continuing to support Indo Pacific design and contribute to a program that celebrates our region on a global stage. We would especially like to thank our INDE partners for their ongoing commitment to our industry, from the Platinum Partner Zenith, to AHEC, Alspec, Bosch, Gaggenau, Haworth, Herman Miller, James Richardson Furniture, Living Edge, Luxxbox, Maxton Fox, Tongue n Groove, Verosol, Wilkhahn, Woven Image and Zip Water.

Entries for the 2021 INDE.Awards will open again in November 2020. More information on entries and next year’s program will be announced shortly, or be the first to know by subscribing to the INDE.Awards database.