20 summer escapes inspire entries to A’ design award and competition – or your next trip
let past-winning saunas, boutique hotels, retreats and restaurants spark your creativity as you enter the A’ design award and competition 2026.
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SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR A’ DESIGN AWARD AND COMPETITION 2026
The internationally acclaimed A’ Design Award and Competition opens the first round of submissions for its 2026 competition, calling creatives from across the globe to present their best work. With a deadline on September 30, 2025, and winners revealed on May 1, 2026, the platform offers an exceptional chance for designers to gain worldwide exposure.
For those in need of inspiration — or a summer getaway — the Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism category showcases past winners that double as dream destinations: think cliffside saunas, lush boutique hotels, serene resorts, off-grid cabins and restaurants made for more than just dining. While the spotlight here falls on one category, A’ Design Award celebrates creativity across every field. Whether you design spaces, products, visuals or experiences, this is your cue to take part and submit your work here.
image credit: Liam Zhuang and Edward Li
name: Xichang Joyhub Air
architects: Liam Zhuang, Edward Li, Ivy Zhu, Lynne Zhang, Polina Chen, Jelena Hus, Muyi, Moye Hu, Panda
award: Platinum
year: 2025
DESIGNS THAT WOW: CATEGORIES FOR EVERY CREATOR
The Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism category delights and surprises with entries that elevate how we explore the world. From conceptual architecture to curated guest experiences and sustainable tourism initiatives, winning designs have redefined luxury and comfort through creativity.
Beyond this category, the competition offers recognition across a wide array of fields, including the Good Architecture Design Award, Good Product Design Award, Good Communication Design Award, Good Fashion Design Award, and Good Industrial Design Award. Wherever your work fits, there’s a place for it – discover all available categories here.
image credit: Nathalia Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis
name: Awakening
designers: Nathalia Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis
award: Silver
year: 2025
GLOBAL GETAWAYS SCHOWCASED THROUGH A’ DESIGN AWARD’S BENEFITS
Winning the A’ Design Award opens the door to unparalleled exposure and career-defining opportunities. From international exhibitions and top-tier media coverage, to an exclusive yearbook feature and gala invitations, winners enjoy far more than a moment in the spotlight. Every submission is carefully reviewed by the Grand Jury Panel of over 300 esteemed professionals, academics, and industry leaders, ensuring fair evaluation and rewarding projects that push boundaries in design and beyond.
Let your project become the next destination on the world’s design map and submit to the 2026 A’ Design Award and Competition here.
image credit: S.C.A.A
name: Deer Chaser Yuchi
designer: Chi Wei Shih
award: Platinum
year: 2025
image credit: Ethan Lee
name: The Game
designer: Jimmy Yung
award: Silver
year: 2019
image credit: Wang Ting
name: Bo Du Resort Hotel Design
designers: Zhang Can and Wan Xia
award: Platinum
year: 2019
name: Hill Wind
designers: Huafang Wang, Weizhong Yue and Shuai Huang
award: Platinum
year: 2020
image credit: Jutta Tanninen
name: Drop Sauna and Drop Lodge
designer: Sirena Kiviranta
award: Bronze
year: 2024
name: Maitreya Dharma
designer: Guanghai Cui
award: Platinum
year: 2023
image credit: Lino Liao
name: Mountain Cabin
designer: Lino Liao
award: Bronze
year: 2023
image credit: Zhe Zeng
name: Yaoyao
designers: Junjie Yan, Yuxing Yi, Yinghua Wen, Liting Yang, Wanhuan Chen,, Yixuan Zhang, Benkun Pei, and Junwen Lu
award: Silver
year: 2021
image credit: Jonathan Friedman
name: Grotto Sauna
designers: Alexander Josephson, Pooya Baktash, Jonathan Friedman, Ivan Vasyliv, and Betty Vuong
award: Platinum
year: 2015
image credit: Tianwen Sun
name: Omakase
designers: Sun Tianwen, Cao Xindi and Liu Dong
award: Gold
year: 2020
image credit: PLD/ PAUL LIU DESIGN CONSULTANTS
name: Fuzhou Marriott Riverside
designers: BO LIU and HANK XIA
award: Gold
year: 2021
name: River Palace
designer: Shenghan Lu
award: Gold
year: 2022
image credit: Sameer Chawda
name: Sky Lounge
designer: Ketan Jawdekar, Rajvardhan Kamire and Atreyi Sawant
award: Silver
year: 2022
image credit: Liu Cheng
name: Luoyue
designer: Gao Hui
award: Silver
year: 2022
image credit: Oskar Proctor
name: Maison Francois
designers: John Whelan for The Guild of Saint Luke
award: Silver
year: 2021
name: Fogo Island Shed
designers: Todd Saunders , Attila Béres, Kingman Brewster, Dihua Wei and Rodney Osmond
award: Gold
year: 2019
image credit: Xiaoyi Zeng
name: Wolo
designers: Sinong Ding, Xiaoyi Zeng and Wei Liu
award: Iron
year: 2020
image credit: DENG Chun
name: Youhe Community
designer: Zhifeng Zhao
award: Silver
year: 2025
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