Ms. Mao Hua, the founder of EK Design, was honored to be invited to serve as the international judge of Frame Awards. Together with professionals from different fields from five continents, they presented professional and diverse viewpoints from an international perspective to the judges.

Mao Hua
Founder of EK Design and PP Design Gallery Design
Director of YuQiang & Partners Interior Architects Studio

Q&A
FRAME：You have been looking at 185 submissions to the Frame Awards in July.  What have you been looking for ? Why did you decide to sign up to this jury panel?

I'm looking for different perspectives. Some brilliant works have been inspiring me a lot. And there are many great ideas from them. I'm excited to see more and more young Asian design firm here, representing the future of oriental design.

#01
STATIONS MINATOMIRAI
Sony Group Creative Center
FRAME：We'll begin with the first honorable mention, and that is an Asian project in Yokohama, Japan. It's from Stations Minatomirai. It's designed by the Creative Center, Sony Group Corporation. It's a co-working space. What's your take on this project?

I think the “third workplace” is a quite interesting concept. That's described as flexible space between home and office for employees according to cooperation. It's a shared office for all kinds of working styles. It's still quite popular to talk about post-pandemic lifestyle, like one space fits multiple functions. I think this one is a good example to show that idea. Using modular system to achieve flexibility and combined with healthy material and those neutral colors and wood textures are pretty good. Also, green plants are grown everywhere in the office, all of those build a quite comfortable atmosphere.

#02 
PHILHARMONIE DES ENFANTS
CONSTANCE GUISSET STUDIO
FRAME：And that's from Constance Guisset Studio, who designed Philharmonie des Enfant, a cultural space in Paris, France, something totally different.Could space like this function well in china?

Yes, we had a lot of similar projects in China. I remember the designer said it's about over 300 people contributed. So perhaps we can say each installation is the collective work, with strong functionality. That's a point that strikes me. Every installation has its own thing designed into difference shapes, making the whole space quite artistic and playful. And also I notice the tour begins with a colorful corridor, then this to a multiple function hall and then ends by going through another colorful corridor. I think it definitely echoes the beginning part with same concept, very interesting. Very well-executed from concept to the final results.

#03 
Dyson Singapore Headquarters
M Mosa Associates
FRAME：That is for the Dyson Global HQ Singapore designed by M Mosa Associates.So how is this office different from the one that we've just seen?

I think this is a perfect example that shows how to renovate large scale historic building. This building is a landmark that attracts people's attention already. In my opinion, this kind of project is a dream opportunity for any designers, but it also comes with challenges. The entry lobby feels more like a hotel, and this four-storey opening space is striking. The metal staircase is more like giant sculpture standing in the hall. Designers restored and returned the advantages of the old building. The addition of new materials does not appear to be inconsistent. Also, it has very strong functionality, and has all the functions we can imagine for an office.

#04 
MAURITSHUISExhibition
TOM POSTMA DESIGN
FRAME：The Mauritshuis commissioned Tom Postma Design to design an exhibition celebrating 17th century still life flower paintings. This exhibition aims to not only display a collection of still life flower paintings, but to tell a story of how these paintings show the connection between art, nature and science.What's your take on the project coming from a total difference part of the world?

Developing a bespoke material, and connect to Dutch horticulture. This idea echoes the main theme of the exhibition. The built laminate panel, those flower texture and the color of material, are very natural and unique. And actually another special points, which I like , those laminate panels will be turned into limited edition pieces. And will sell in the gift shop of the museum. That's such clever idea, totally present the deeper meaning of sustainability.

#05 
THE GREAT IMAGINATIONExhibition
Smart and Green Design
FRAME：Now let's reveal the winner of July. It's an exhibition in Madrid in Spain. It's designed by Smart and Green Design, and it ranks specifically high for its sustainable approach to making this exhibition. It's almost an eight for sustainability. Could you begin with your take? 

It is very interesting to find those raw material from scrap facilities, aerials and antennas, the typical representative of old technology. I do remember when I was a child, my father fixed antennas on the roof of our house. It's like a key to open the door of outside world. We were so excited to receive different messages. This design concept evoked my childhood memory, transform them into exhibition displays are very clever. Build a dialogue from past to future, it's really impressive and meaningful. Also those displayed shapes are really like sculptures, bringing an artistic feeling to the space. Combined with colorful lighting, it made eye-catching effects. I quite like the contrast between raw material and latest technology. 

#06 
The future of design
FRAME：What the future of design looks like?
People prefer those relaxed design. We stopped judging a good design by its appearance, just focus on eye-catching effects. We also think more about the things, a better concept, good story, and how the design is connected with the thing, whether the concept can be strictly carried out. And another point is about sustainability, another popular trend I noticed this time. As an Asian interior designer and I had to commit that there still have a big gap between Asian and Europe or American. From this point of view, I think I'm going to call on peers and clients to pay more attention to this area.

Founded in 1997, Frame is a leading Dutch interior design magazine, bringing together the most cutting-edge space and interior designs, known as the barometer of world design trends. Derived from the magazine, Frame Awards honors the world's best new interior designs and the designers behind them. With its professionalism, the Frame Awards is the equivalent of the Academy Awards in the interior design industry.