The Dezeen Awards, now entering its ninth year, has announced the first wave of judges for its 2026 cycle. The program, which serves as an institutional pulse-check for the global design community, continues to refine its focus on the intersection of heritage preservation and sustainable innovation. Among the new additions to the panel is Moroccan architect Aziza Chaouni, whose work at Aziza Chaouni Projects and SoNo Lab has become a definitive case study in adaptive reuse across the Global South.
Chaouni’s appointment signals a growing architectural interest in the life cycles of existing structures. Her portfolio includes high-stakes heritage projects like the restoration of Burkina Faso’s brutalist La Maison du Peuple, developed in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund. By prioritizing the revitalization of historical sites over the carbon-intensive demands of new construction, Chaouni represents a shift toward a more resource-conscious architectural philosophy that values cultural continuity.
Joining the interiors panel is Britt Moran, co-founder of Milan-based Dimore Studio. Known for a style that leans heavily on historical periods to create contemporary spaces, Moran’s perspective offers a counterpoint to the minimalist trends that often dominate international competitions. He is joined by Benni Allan and designer Felicia Hung, rounding out a jury tasked with identifying projects that balance aesthetic ambition with functional longevity.
The awards, held in partnership with Trimble, remain a primary benchmark for the industry’s evolving standards in architecture, interiors, and product design. Submissions for the current cycle are open through May 27, as the panel prepares to evaluate a global field of entries that increasingly grapple with the complexities of urban density and environmental impact.
With reporting from Dezeen.
Source · Dezeen
