Vision, made tangible.
The 2026 Sky Design Awards shortlist presents a comprehensive and discerning overview of contemporary excellence in both interior and architectural design as well as product design. The selected projects span hospitality, workplace, and retail environments; cultural spaces; innovative materials; and meticulously crafted objects, as well as private residences, civic and cultural buildings, adaptive reuse, and urban interventions. All shortlisted projects are unified by rigorous spatial and structural thinking, distinctive materiality, and a confident engagement with the complexities of cultural, commercial, environmental, and social contexts. The shortlist highlights a thoughtful response to the demands of contemporary life and an enduring commitment to design innovation.
Ambientec Gallery Tokyo designed by ODS / Oniki Design Studio (Japan)
Oniki Design Studio transforms retail lighting at Ambientec Gallery Tokyo, pairing a high-precision modular display system with intimate, domestic-scale rooms to reveal the atmospheric potential of portable light.
Authentic Residence designed by Yokobori Architect & Associates (Japan)
Yokobori Architect & Associates transforms the ancient Hare and Ke concept into a high-performance residential reality. This Tokyo residence merges a ceremonial car display, traditional craftsmanship, and fluid living spaces into one cohesive architectural statement.
OMO5 Hakodate by Hoshino Resorts designed by fan Inc. (Japan)
OMO5 Hakodate by Hoshino Resorts: An urban hotel renovation by fan Inc. blending local port culture with Goryokaku design elements to create an immersive destination experience.
BANDAI HOBBY CENTER PLAMO DESIGN INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE MUSEUM designed by CIC, NOMURA Co., Ltd (Japan)
Witness the mechanics behind Japanese model-making. CIC. NOMURA turn a working Bandai factory into a public laboratory, blending live production lines with a 4,000-piece fan gallery. See how industrial engineering meets creative design in this ZEB-certified manufacturing showcase.
The Land of NOMO designed by NOMURA Co., Ltd (Japan)
The Land of NOMO at Expo 2025 Osaka: A sensory-driven pavilion by NOMURA for Panasonic. This experiential space eliminates fixed paths, utilizing light, sound, and biodegradable architecture to engage 470,000 visitors, including 115,000 schoolchildren, in unscripted discovery.
HAKUSAN MEGANE SHANGHAI designed by Each Design (China)
Each design redefines the Hakusan Megane Shanghai flagship store. By translating eyewear hinge mechanics into custom iron and reclaimed elm joinery, the retail interior connects Japanese craftsmanship with the historic Zhang Yuan district.
Sou designed by soell inc. (Japan)
Sou redefines urban social landscapes through a modular aluminum seating system. Designed by soell inc., these three varied heights support diverse postures, from low-level resting to high-perch leaning, merging Japanese spatial heritage with high-precision industrial fabrication.
NANEI Nishiki Building designed by MR STUDIO Co., Ltd. (Japan)
MR STUDIO crafts a rhythmic facade for the NANEI Nishiki Building in Nagoya, layering aluminum louvres with precision-integrated LEDs to evoke the district’s historic brocade textiles.
ABE GALERIE TOKYO designed by ODS / Oniki Design Studio (Japan)
ABE Galerie TOKYO by ODS (Oniki Design Studio) features artisan wooden doors and artwork within a plaster-lined office in Shinjuku. This gallery design emphasizes focus, creating a rhythmic architectural experience that showcases kumiko latticework and curated paintings.
Yamato Headquarters Building A, Building B designed by NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD, KAJIMA DESIGN, KOIZUMI LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY CORP, Matt & Massimo (Japan)
Yamato’s centenary headquarters by NIKKEN SEKKEI and KAJIMA DESIGN sets a global benchmark for the post-pandemic office, blending sustainable timber architecture with personalized, NFC-controlled environments that redefine why we commute.
DAIKYO ANABUKI FUDOSAN Banchō Residence Salon designed by SPACE CO., LTD. (Japan)
SPACE CO., LTD. redefines the high-end residential sales experience in Tokyo. The Banchō Residence Salon guides visitors through a dramatic transition from a narrow black geometric passage into an expansive, light-filled interior overlooking the city.

