2024 Design Awards Judges

It is our foundation to celebrate the optimism of design, and its ability to positively impact our communities and our planet.

Now in its 19th year, the Shaw Contract Design Awards program is our chance to look through the Design Optimist lens at spaces that inspire new ways of working, learning, healing, and thriving. 

Stay tuned for when winners will be announced in late August!

Meet the Judges from the Best of Canada Panel

These judges will be looking through the Design Optimist lens at spaces that represent the best of design from their region, along with those that consider our four People Together Planet Forever ambitions - Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

 

  

Holly Shearer

Shearer Design
Principal, LID-AAA, RID, NCIDQ
Calgary, AB, Canada

Licensed by the Alberta Association of Architects, Holly is a visionary leader, workplace specialist, and the founding member of Shearer. She is exceptionally well-versed on the latest global and local design trends, strategic initiatives, and real estate direction. She uses her wealth of Workplace Strategy knowledge to design higher-performance workplaces merging important aspects such as space utilization, technology integration, inclusion and workplace wellbeing together and ensuring that multiple drivers can coexist in the interior architecture of an organization’s new space. This approach has matured over twenty-five years into a highly evolved program where functional needs inform aesthetics, consistently resulting in award winning spaces.

Shearer Design remains firmly rooted, prioritizing a supportive and cohesive team environment. Reflecting on their practices and constantly striving for improvement is ingrained in their culture, ensuring they remain at the forefront of corporate interior design in Western Canada. Shearer Design has the ability to compete on a global scale and is well established as the premier choice for commercial and corporate office projects in Calgary. 

Ian Franceschi

Zeidler Architecture
Creative Director, Interior Design
Calgary, AB, Canada

Ian recognizes that design is constantly evolving, and his perspective and appreciation for the built environment is no exception. His passion for Interior Design stems from its profound impact on the human experience. Whether evoking emotions or fulfilling practical needs, Ian finds inspiration in the interplay between users and design, driving him toward innovative problem-solving.

His leadership style is characterized by collaboration and inclusivity, valuing the diverse perspectives that drive effective design solutions. Throughout his career, Ian has enjoyed working across multiple sectors, leading teams to explore individual creativity and collectively realize project visions and achieve client goals.

Jaime Holland

Holland Interior Design
Founding Partner
Calgary, AB, Canada

Jaime Holland is a Licensed Interior Designer and Partner at Holland Licensed Interior Design. Operating in alignment with the Alberta Association of Architects, she oversees all technical and regulatory intricacies, ensuring adherence to high professional standards and codes of conduct.

With over 15 years of local and international experience, Jaime’s portfolio demonstrates her expertise as a designer and project manager, skillfully balancing the diverse needs of consultants and clients throughout the construction process. When embarking on a project, her lens is performance-based, excelling in the realms of space planning, code compliance, technical drawings and coordination, and solutions-based thinking.

At the heart of Jaime's design philosophy is a steadfast commitment to human-centered design principles. She champions accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing the profound impact of designing workplaces that enrich the human experience.

In 2011, Jaime co-founded Holland Licensed Interior Design  alongside her sister, Jocelyne Holland. Locally proud and globally influenced, Jaime guides the firm in spearheading value-inspired spaces that are informed by data-driven research, and an unwavering commitment to client needs and standards.

Kim Van Ruskenveld

Arcadis
Principal and Studio Manager
Edmonton, AB, Canada

Kim, Principal and Studio Manager at Arcadis, has cultivated a highly esteemed interiors practice in the Can West region, driven by her unwavering energy and determination. With a broad portfolio spanning various sectors across Western Canada and the United States, Kim thrives on cross-sector inspiration, extracting valuable insights from each project.
 
Kim's people-centric approach is evident in her meticulous attention to detail and dedication to delivering exceptional client experiences. Her innate eye for detail and commitment to excellence have earned her a distinguished reputation in the industry. Beyond her professional endeavors, Kim finds joy in building strong relationships with colleagues and clients, embodying a down-to-earth demeanor and unwavering commitment to their needs.
 
Outside of work, Kim embraces the chaos of family life with her husband, two daughters and beloved dog, Gary. She cherishes summers spent at the lake and indulges her love for bacon and chocolate. In Kim's world, collaboration is key to success, and her collaborative mindset fuels both her personal and professional achievements within the flourishing Can West Region practice.

Lori Cox

Lori Cox Licensed Interior Design Inc.
Principal
Edmonton, AB, Canada

Visionary + creative problem solver, Lori Cox founded the boutique commercial interior design firm, lori cox D E S I G N inc in 2005 after working 6 years in the industry for a large Canadian Architectural firm and graduating with a bachelors degree in Interior Design from the highly recognized Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba.

After more than 15 years as an established + respected firm, Lori pursued her NCIDQ  certification + Licensing with the Alberta Architects Association, which is a highly acclaimed + respected designation unique to Alberta. After becoming Licensed, the firm name changed to Lori Cox Licensed Interior D E S I G N inc.

BRINGING A COLLABORATIVE AND ENERGETIC APPROACH TO EVERY PROJECT IS LORI’S “SUPER POWER”!

HIGHLY DEDICATED TO PURSUING FRESH INSPIRATION TO CRAFT UNIQUE NARRITIVES FOR EACH CLIENT,  SHE CURATES SPACES IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT THAT REDEFINE THE WAY WE WORK, PLAY AND ORGANIZE OUR LIVES.

View all judges from each Best of Region panel around the globe!

 

Best Of Australia and New Zealand

Architectus
Senior Associate
Sydney, Australia

fjcstudio
Principal
Melbourne, Australia

Bates Smart
Associate Director
Sydney, Australia

Woods Bagot
Associate Principal
Perth, Australia

Monk Mackenzie
Associate
Auckland, New Zealand

Best of Asia

Cheng Chung Design PTE Ltd.
Senior Vice President
Singapore

 M Moser Associates
Senior Associate, Design
Singapore

Interior Architecture 103 Co., Ltd.
Chairwoman
Thailand

 designFreak Co.Ltd.
Founder, CEO & Design Director
Japan

 Space Matrix Design Consultants Pte Ltd.
Director, Business Operations
Singapore

Best of India

Ultra Confidentiel
Chief Design Officer
Delhi

Vestian
Vice President Design Services Global Workplace Services
Bangalore

M Moser
Director
Bangalore

RC Architecture
Design Director
Bangalore

DSP Design Associates
Director -CRE
Mumbai

Best of Greater China

ZZT Industrial Buildings
Founder
Shanghai, China

  Gensler
Senior Associate
Beijing, China

  ADM Design Co., Ltd.
Creative Director
Shanghai, China

Foster and Partners
Architect (Overseas Qualified)
Shenzhen, China

AnySCALE
Founder | Executive Partner
Beijing, China

Best of Latin America

Perkins&Will
Principal
Monterrey, México

Athié Wohnrath
Concept Designer
São Paulo, Brasil

Garnier Arquitectos
Senior Interior Designer
San José, Costa Rica

OARQUITECTOS
Principal
Santiago, Chile

Contract Workplaces
Design Director
Bogotá, Colombia

Best of Middle East & Africa

Gensler
Associate/Senior Interior Designer
UAE

THE Architects
Architect
Istanbul

Best of UK & Continental Europe 

Morgan Lovell
Lead Designer
United Kingdom

Massive Design
Design Director
Poland

Habit Action
Creative Director
United Kingdom

The Fresh Perspective
Interior Architect
Nederland

Best of USA

Southern Methodist University
Project Manager, Registered Interior Designer
Dallas, TX

TMPartners
Associate Principal / Senior Interior Designer
Brentwood, TN

MKDA
Creative Director
New York, NY

IHG ® Hotels & Resorts
Design Manager
Atlanta, GA

CPG Architects
Senior Project Designer
New York, NY