Desktop Version
Meet the Judges from our Best of Australia & New Zealand Panel
We're honoured to introduce the design luminaries shaping this year's Best of Australia & New Zealand judging panel. Looking through the Design Optimist lens, they'll champion the very best of design from our region — spaces where every detail tells a story, where craft and creativity come together, and where bold ideas are brought to life with intention and integrity. Beyond design intent, they'll be seeking work that reflects our shared commitment to Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact, and Diversity & Inclusion.
Because through the Shaw Contract Design Awards, we don't just celebrate what's beautiful — we celebrate what matters.
TABLET Version
Meet the Judges from our Best of Australia & New Zealand Panel
We're honoured to introduce the design luminaries shaping this year's Best of Australia & New Zealand judging panel. Looking through the Design Optimist lens, they'll champion the very best of design from our region — spaces where every detail tells a story, where craft and creativity come together, and where bold ideas are brought to life with intention and integrity. Beyond design intent, they'll be seeking work that reflects our shared commitment to Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact, and Diversity & Inclusion.
Because through the Shaw Contract Design Awards, we don't just celebrate what's beautiful — we celebrate what matters.
MOBILE Version
Meet the Judges from our Best of Australia & New Zealand Panel
We're honoured to introduce the design luminaries shaping this year's Best of Australia & New Zealand judging panel. Looking through the Design Optimist lens, they'll champion the very best of design from our region — spaces where every detail tells a story, where craft and creativity come together, and where bold ideas are brought to life with intention and integrity. Beyond design intent, they'll be seeking work that reflects our shared commitment to Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact, and Diversity & Inclusion.
Because through the Shaw Contract Design Awards, we don't just celebrate what's beautiful — we celebrate what matters.
Meet the 2026 Design Awards Judges
Desktop/Tablet Version
Annie Robinson
Spowers
Design Director - Interiors
Melbourne, Australia
Annie Robinson is the Design Director – Interiors at Spowers in Melbourne, and a vital voice in the studio. With nearly three decades of experience, her work spans the education, hospitality, workplace, aged care, and health sectors.
Annie has played a key role in delivering Spowers’ best and biggest projects, from campus reimaginings in Shepparton to commercial workplaces in the CBD. She is known for her design leadership and collaborative design philosophy that approaches architecture and interior holistically. Her ability to understand and connect with people ensures that every space is not only fit-for-purpose, but meaningful to the people who will use it.
Michelle Skinner
Bates Smart
Associate Director
Melbourne, Australia
Michelle Skinner is a Senior Interior Designer and Project Leader with extensive cross-sector experience delivering award-winning projects across workplace, hospitality, heritage and public environments. She is passionate about creating places with a strong sense of identity and works collaboratively with clients, stakeholders and project teams to realise thoughtful and enduring design outcomes. Michelle's expertise spans strategic briefing, conceptual design, project leadership, stakeholder engagement and detailed design resolution. Her multidisciplinary background and interest in the intersection of different sectors inform a design approach that is both rigorous and innovative, resulting in spaces that are contemporary, meaningful and responsive to their context.
Michelle joined Bates Smart in 2019 following establishing boutique design studio Rice & Skinner. The practice received recognition at both state and national levels in the Australian Institute of Architects Awards, winning awards for Interior Architecture and Heritage Architecture for the Mansion Hotel at Werribee Park. At Bates Smart, Michelle has led and contributed to a range of significant workplace projects, exploring how design can enhance organisational culture, sustainability outcomes and user wellbeing. Her work reflects a strong interest in the evolving nature of the workplace and the role of design in shaping human experience.
Michelle is also committed to supporting the next generation of designers through her ongoing involvement with RMIT University's Industry Advisory Committee and the Bates Smart Award program. She is an alumna of the Committee for Melbourne's Future Focus Group Leadership Program and remains actively engaged in industry dialogue and design education.
MOBILE Version
Annie Robinson
Spowers
Design Director - Interiors
Melbourne, Australia
Annie Robinson is the Design Director – Interiors at Spowers in Melbourne, and a vital voice in the studio. With nearly three decades of experience, her work spans the education, hospitality, workplace, aged care, and health sectors.
Annie has played a key role in delivering Spowers’ best and biggest projects, from campus reimaginings in Shepparton to commercial workplaces in the CBD. She is known for her design leadership and collaborative design philosophy that approaches architecture and interior holistically. Her ability to understand and connect with people ensures that every space is not only fit-for-purpose, but meaningful to the people who will use it.
Michelle Skinner
Bates Smart
Associate Director
Melbourne, Australia
Michelle Skinner is a Senior Interior Designer and Project Leader with extensive cross-sector experience delivering award-winning projects across workplace, hospitality, heritage and public environments. She is passionate about creating places with a strong sense of identity and works collaboratively with clients, stakeholders and project teams to realise thoughtful and enduring design outcomes. Michelle's expertise spans strategic briefing, conceptual design, project leadership, stakeholder engagement and detailed design resolution. Her multidisciplinary background and interest in the intersection of different sectors inform a design approach that is both rigorous and innovative, resulting in spaces that are contemporary, meaningful and responsive to their context.
Michelle joined Bates Smart in 2019 following establishing boutique design studio Rice & Skinner. The practice received recognition at both state and national levels in the Australian Institute of Architects Awards, winning awards for Interior Architecture and Heritage Architecture for the Mansion Hotel at Werribee Park. At Bates Smart, Michelle has led and contributed to a range of significant workplace projects, exploring how design can enhance organisational culture, sustainability outcomes and user wellbeing. Her work reflects a strong interest in the evolving nature of the workplace and the role of design in shaping human experience.
Michelle is also committed to supporting the next generation of designers through her ongoing involvement with RMIT University's Industry Advisory Committee and the Bates Smart Award program. She is an alumna of the Committee for Melbourne's Future Focus Group Leadership Program and remains actively engaged in industry dialogue and design education.
Desktop/tablet Version
Mitchell Jones
Made For
Creative Director
Melbourne, Australia
I'm Mitchell Jones. I'm the founder of Made For, Australia's largest specialist workplace design studio. I help Australia’s best businesses make the right real estate moves and navigate the complexities of undertaking a workplace project. I’ve spent 15 years working across business strategy, design, and construction; and now I use that knowledge to protect businesses from mistakes that cost them more than just money. At Made For, we rethink workplace design from the inside out, starting with how teams move, meet, and make decisions. Today, I help leaders make smart, strategic workplace decisions that drive performance and profit, not just aesthetics.
Richard Healy
JLL Design
Design Director
Melbourne, Australia
As a Design Director at JLL Design, I help organizations create intentional workplaces and commercial interiors that elevate both business outcomes and human experiences. My approach begins with conceptualizing built environments with interior spaces and end-user experiences as the primary focus.
I thrive on building authentic relationships with clients, believing that strong rapport enables me to truly understand their unique challenges and develop tailored, impactful solutions. This people-first mindset has guided my diverse portfolio spanning workplace, commercial, retail, retirement living, hospitality, and multi-residential sectors.
At the core of my practice is a fundamental belief that thoughtfully designed environments significantly impact human wellbeing. As we navigate interior spaces throughout our daily lives—from workplaces to public buildings—I'm committed to creating environments that enhance both emotional and physical wellness. This human-centered approach drives my passion for design and my work at JLL, where I'm excited to be part of a global team reimagining how people interact with built environments.
At JLL, I'm embracing the opportunity to leverage global insights, data-driven approaches, and forward-thinking workplace strategies to create spaces that truly support how people work today and tomorrow.
MOBILE Version
Mitchell Jones
Made For
Creative Director
Melbourne, Australia
I'm Mitchell Jones. I'm the founder of Made For, Australia's largest specialist workplace design studio. I help Australia’s best businesses make the right real estate moves and navigate the complexities of undertaking a workplace project. I’ve spent 15 years working across business strategy, design, and construction; and now I use that knowledge to protect businesses from mistakes that cost them more than just money. At Made For, we rethink workplace design from the inside out, starting with how teams move, meet, and make decisions. Today, I help leaders make smart, strategic workplace decisions that drive performance and profit, not just aesthetics.
Richard Healy
JLL Design
Design Director
Melbourne, Australia
As a Design Director at JLL Design, I help organizations create intentional workplaces and commercial interiors that elevate both business outcomes and human experiences. My approach begins with conceptualizing built environments with interior spaces and end-user experiences as the primary focus.
I thrive on building authentic relationships with clients, believing that strong rapport enables me to truly understand their unique challenges and develop tailored, impactful solutions. This people-first mindset has guided my diverse portfolio spanning workplace, commercial, retail, retirement living, hospitality, and multi-residential sectors.
At the core of my practice is a fundamental belief that thoughtfully designed environments significantly impact human wellbeing. As we navigate interior spaces throughout our daily lives—from workplaces to public buildings—I'm committed to creating environments that enhance both emotional and physical wellness. This human-centered approach drives my passion for design and my work at JLL, where I'm excited to be part of a global team reimagining how people interact with built environments.
At JLL, I'm embracing the opportunity to leverage global insights, data-driven approaches, and forward-thinking workplace strategies to create spaces that truly support how people work today and tomorrow.
DESKTOP Version
Emerging Student Voices
As the Shaw Contract Design Awards continues to celebrate design excellence around the world, we’re also creating opportunities for the next generation of designers to be part of the conversation. For the second year in a row, selected students will be invited to observe Best of Region judging events, gaining insight into the judging process and the calibre of work being recognised globally.
This year, we’re thrilled to have two students from Collarts joining us to observe the process and experience the program firsthand.
TABLET Version
Emerging Student Voices
As the Shaw Contract Design Awards continues to celebrate design excellence around the world, we’re also creating opportunities for the next generation of designers to be part of the conversation. For the second year in a row, selected students will be invited to observe Best of Region judging events, gaining insight into the judging process and the calibre of work being recognised globally.
This year, we’re thrilled to have two students from Collarts joining us to observe the process and experience the program firsthand.
MOBILE Version
Emerging Student Voices
As the Shaw Contract Design Awards continues to celebrate design excellence around the world, we’re also creating opportunities for the next generation of designers to be part of the conversation. For the second year in a row, selected students will be invited to observe Best of Region judging events, gaining insight into the judging process and the calibre of work being recognised globally.
This year, we’re thrilled to have two students from Collarts joining us to observe the process and experience the program firsthand.
Desktop/tablet Version
Fernanda Mihessen
Collarts
Final Year Student - Bachelor of Interior Design
Melbourne, Australia
I’m Fernanda Mihessen, a final-year Bachelor of Interior Design student at Collarts. I’m a graduate architect from Brazil, and for over 2 years I’ve worked in the Australian industry at firms including IA Design and Obliik, gaining hands-on experience as a graduate and interior designer across workplace and government interior projects. As an international designer based in Melbourne, I bring a multicultural perspective that shapes how I approach form, function, and identity in contemporary design. I’m particularly driven by conscious design, work that is both responsible and expressive, connecting my Brazilian roots with the design culture I’ve built here in Australia."
Maya Ikehata
Collarts
Final Year Student - Bachelor of Interior Design
Melbourne, Australia
I’m Maya Ikehata, a final-year Bachelor of Interior Design student at Collarts in Melbourne. Through my studies and experience working in retail, I’ve developed a strong interest in commercial interior design and visual merchandising, particularly in how thoughtful spatial design can shape customer experience and strengthen brand identity. I’m passionate about creating spaces that are both functional and engaging, and I’m always eager to learn from industry professionals, collaborate with others, and continue developing my design practice.
MOBILE Version
Fernanda Mihessen
Collarts
Final Year Student - Bachelor of Interior Design
Melbourne, Australia
I’m Fernanda Mihessen, a final-year Bachelor of Interior Design student at Collarts. I’m a graduate architect from Brazil, and for over 2 years I’ve worked in the Australian industry at firms including IA Design and Obliik, gaining hands-on experience as a graduate and interior designer across workplace and government interior projects. As an international designer based in Melbourne, I bring a multicultural perspective that shapes how I approach form, function, and identity in contemporary design. I’m particularly driven by conscious design, work that is both responsible and expressive, connecting my Brazilian roots with the design culture I’ve built here in Australia."
Maya Ikehata
Collarts
Final Year Student - Bachelor of Interior Design
Melbourne, Australia
I’m Maya Ikehata, a final-year Bachelor of Interior Design student at Collarts in Melbourne. Through my studies and experience working in retail, I’ve developed a strong interest in commercial interior design and visual merchandising, particularly in how thoughtful spatial design can shape customer experience and strengthen brand identity. I’m passionate about creating spaces that are both functional and engaging, and I’m always eager to learn from industry professionals, collaborate with others, and continue developing my design practice.
Desktop Version
2025 Design Awards Winners
Looking for even more Inspiration?
Out of more than 530 submissions spanning 38 countries and regions around the globe, our 2025 Shaw Contract Design Awards program truly celebrated the optimism of design its ability to influence our everyday lives.
TABLET/MOBILE Version
2025 Design Awards Winners
Looking for even more Inspiration?
Out of more than 530 submissions spanning 38 countries and regions around the globe, our 2025 Shaw Contract Design Awards program truly celebrated the optimism of design its ability to influence our everyday lives.