20 summer escapes inspire entries to A’ design award and competition – or your next trip

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.

banner and above: Xichang Joyhub Air Hotel by Liam Zhuang and Edward Li
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.

Awakening Immersive Experience by Nathalia Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis
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.

Deer Chaser Yuchi by Chi Wei Shih
image credit: S.C.A.A

name: Deer Chaser Yuchi

designer: Chi Wei Shih

award: Platinum

year: 2025

The Game Tourist Center by Jimmy Yung
image credit: Ethan Lee

name: The Game

designer: Jimmy Yung

award: Silver

year: 2019

Bo Du Resort Hotel Design Commercial by Zhang Can – CSD Design Office
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

Drop Sauna and Drop Lodge Sauna and Small Cottage by Drop
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

Mountain Cabin Architectural Design by Lino Liao
image credit: Lino Liao

name: Mountain Cabin

designer: Lino Liao

award: Bronze

year: 2023

Yaoyao Restaurant by Yan Junjie
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

Grotto Sauna Freestanding Residential Sauna by PARTISANS
image credit: Jonathan Friedman

name: Grotto Sauna

designers: Alexander Josephson, Pooya Baktash, Jonathan Friedman, Ivan Vasyliv, and Betty Vuong

award: Platinum

year: 2015

Omakase Restaurant by Tianwen Sun
image credit: Tianwen Sun

name: Omakase

designers: Sun Tianwen, Cao Xindi and Liu Dong

award: Gold 

year: 2020

Fuzhou Marriott Riverside Hotel by Bo Liu and Hank Xia
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

Sky Lounge Restaurant and Bar by Ketan Jawdekar
image credit: Sameer Chawda

name: Sky Lounge

designer: Ketan Jawdekar, Rajvardhan Kamire and Atreyi Sawant

award: Silver

year: 2022

Luoyue Resort Hotel by Gao Hui
image credit: Liu Cheng

name: Luoyue

designer: Gao Hui

award: Silver

year: 2022

Maison Francois Restaurant by John Whelan – GSL
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

Virtual Growth Interface Design by Sinong Ding, Xiaoyi Zeng and Wei Liu
image credit: Xiaoyi Zeng

name: Wolo

designers: Sinong Ding, Xiaoyi Zeng and Wei Liu

award: Iron

year: 2020

Youhe Community Hospitality Design by Zhifeng Zhao
image credit: DENG Chun

name: Youhe Community

designer: Zhifeng Zhao

award: Silver

year: 2025