The Dezeen Awards 2026 has announced its esteemed panel of judges, featuring architects Ben Addy and Dominique Petit-Frère, alongside designers James Melia and Nada Debs. As the awards approach their ninth year, they continue to set the standard for architectural and design excellence, with the entry deadline looming on May 27.
What Happened
Architect Ben Addy, founder of Moxon Architects, is among the distinguished judges for the Dezeen Awards 2026. Known for integrating landscape, heritage, and circularity into his projects, Addy has worked with prominent clients such as Hauser & Wirth and HS2. His recent projects include a hillside home that revitalizes a residential ruin and a Passivhaus-standard farmstead-inspired extension.
Joining Addy on the judging panel is Dominique Petit-Frère, founder of the Limbo Museum in Accra, Ghana. Petit-Frère is recognized for her innovative approach to cultural institutions in Africa, co-founding Limbo Accra, an architectural and research practice. Her work often explores the significance of incomplete buildings, as discussed at a Dezeen talk in 2025.
Designer James Melia, founder of the London-based consultancy Blond, will judge the design entries. Melia's studio focuses on bridging emerging technologies with the physical world, advocating for human-centric design. Notable projects include aluminium packaging for skincare brand Daisyface and an AI exhibition at Milan Design Week 2025.
Also part of the design jury is Nada Debs, whose studio in Beirut draws inspiration from her multicultural background. Debs' work spans product and furniture design to immersive installations, such as a hammam made from reclaimed materials and a contemporary Uzbek tapchan reinterpretation.
Why It Matters for the AECM Industry
The Dezeen Awards serve as a crucial platform for recognizing groundbreaking work in architecture and design, directly impacting the AECM industry. With judges who emphasize sustainability, heritage, and innovative design, the awards help spotlight emerging trends and set benchmarks for excellence. This year's collaboration with Trimble further highlights the industry's shift towards integrating advanced technology solutions to enhance productivity and design innovation.
For project managers, engineers, architects, and contractors, the awards offer an opportunity to gain insights into cutting-edge practices and emerging leaders in the field. Moreover, the involvement of judges with diverse backgrounds ensures a broad perspective, enriching the quality and scope of recognized projects.
What's Next
As the entry deadline of May 27 approaches, professionals in the architecture and design fields are encouraged to submit their projects to avoid late entry fees. The Dezeen Awards 2026, in partnership with Trimble, promises to continue inspiring and supporting creative excellence. Participants can expect the announcement of winners later in the year, offering further insights into the industry's future direction and innovation.
Source: https://www.dezeen.com/2026/04/28/james-melia-and-nada-debs-dezeen-awards-judges/. Read the original story ->
