BEST CITY

JUDGES PAOLA ANTONELLI

Italian author, design super-curator and MOMA marvel

NENEH CHERRY

Chanteuse, style icon, Buffalo girl

BJARKE INGELS

Big-thinking Danish architect

DAVID KORINS

Blockbusting Broadway-and-beyond set designer

PHILIPPE MALOUIN

Wallpaper’s towering Designer of the Year 2018

DO HO SUH

South Korean art colossus and mesh manipulator

BEST DOMESTIC DESIGN ‘Astro’ fan by Nichetto Studio, for Tubes

Designed by Milan-based Nichetto Studio to look like ‘a small spaceship that is about to take off ’, this clever unit cleanses the air thanks to an ultra-efficient active carbon filter, but also neutralises unwelcome odours autonomously and blasts warm air when needed.

‘Hive View’ security camera by Fuseproject, for Hive

This cubic camera by Yves Béhar’s studio, Fuseproject, features HD live-streaming and person detection. ‘The lens provides a 130-degree view, with the spinning base, leaf-like curvature of the arm and camera attachment enabling users to cover the angle they want,’ says Béhar.

‘Gliss Master’ walk-in closet system by Vincent Van Duysen, for Molteni & C

Featuring Van Duysen’s signature bronze finishes, this elegant wardrobe system also incorporates the latest air purification and perfuming technologies, in the form of V-zug’s Refresh-butler. It freshens and de-creases clothes in a convenient, smartphone-controlled process.

‘Stardust’ door handles by Stéphane Parmentier, for Maison Vervloet

A graphic spin on hardware design, this collection features Parmentier’s distinctive ‘double zero’ motif. Handmade in Brussels, the handles comprise two layers of meticulous circular perforations, described by Parmentier as being ‘tattooed like an industrial code’.

Electric kettle by Vipp

The result of five years of experimentation, Vipp’s pared-down number borrows its shape from the retro dome-shaped kettle. Its powder-coated black steel surface and soft silicone details adhere perfectly to the Danish brand’s minimalist, monochrome style.

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR India Mahdavi

Last year, the Iranian-born designer lent her elegantly eccentric vision to macaron expert Ladurée’s new salon

de thé in Tokyo, took the reins on the renaissance of the Monte-carlo Beach hotel, and packed a visual punch with a bathroom collection for Bisazza Bagno in three delicious shades, pistachio, blueberry and strawberry.

Studiopepe

Studiopepe’s Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto have transitioned from set designers to well-rounded creatives by collaborating with the likes of Agape and CC Tapis. They showcased their prodigious output at Milan’s Salone with Club Unseen, a sprawling pop-up space merging graphic shapes, grid patterns and pastels.

Piero Lissoni

The Milan-based designer has had a prolific year, his output encompassing everything from hi-tech wood finishes for Alpi and cast-iron radiators for Antrax IT, to a transparent ‘Grid’ table for Glas Italia, an innovative multi-living ‘I-table’ for Kartell, a simple door handle for Olivari, and a soybean-inspired sofa for B&B Italia.

Snarkitecture

Daniel Arsham, Alex Mustonen and Ben Porto have applied their signature monochrome style to a range of recent projects, including a bench for Pentatonic and an installation for Caesarstone. The New York studio also celebrated its tenth birthday with an exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington DC.

Pierre Yovanovitch

The French designer has proved himself to be a master of both furniture-making and scenography, displaying his debut collection, ‘Oops’ (featuring the distinctive ‘Papa Bear’, ‘Mama Bear’ and ‘Baby Bear’ chairs based on the Goldilocks fairytale), in the apartment of the fictional Mademoiselle Oops at Toulon’s Design Parade.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT Inua Tokyo, Japan

For his first solo project, ex-noma chef Thomas Frebel pulled together a menu of exquisitely plated Nordicinfluenced dishes concocted from Japanese ingredients. This is perfectly matched by OEO Studio’s interiors, a mix of Danish classics and local materials and textiles.

Leo’s at The Arts Club London, UK

Decking this restaurant, live music venue and nightclub with floral prints, lanterns and a hand-painted bamboo curtain, Milan’s Dimore Studio has brought a touch of the Orient to London. The menu is equally opulent, with oysters, caviar and Italian-influenced dishes.

Ristorante Cracco Milan, Italy

Spread over three floors in the city’s iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, this address is a boon, both for Studio Peregalli’s sumptuous interiors and Carlo Cracco’s Milanese menu, which features dishes such as squid ink ravioli and roasted sweetbreads with liquorice.

The Lobster Club New York, US The Seagram Building’s iconic all-day brasserie has been transformed by Peter Marino into a glamorous, art-filled setting with contemporary touches and midcentury-inspired details. Chef Tasuku Murakami serves a comprehensive menu of sushi and teppanyaki. Noma Copenhagen, Denmark

The world’s most influential restaurant has moved into a purpose-built ‘village’ designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. Studio David Thulstrup’s interiors perfectly balance the refined and the relaxed, while René Redzepi’s conceptual menu changes with the seasons.

BEST NEW HOTEL Amanyangyun Shanghai, China

Kerry Hill Architects has turned a series of historic buildings (which, like the camphor forest around them, have been relocated from 700km away to save them from destruction) into characterful villas. Courtyard suites, a spa and a restaurant complete the resort.

Healing Stay Kosmos Ulleungdo Island, South Korea

Perched on a cliff edge on Ulleungdo Island in the Sea of Japan, this striking retreat by Seoul’s The System Lab comprises a private villa and a seven-room hotel. Their white walls swoop and swirl like the unusually potent chi energy that locals believe flow through the island.

The Jaffa Tel Aviv, Israel

A decade in the making, this 120-room hotel is set in a renovated 19th-century hospital combined with a new build by John Pawson and Ramy Gill. Its décor reflects the warm tones of the local stone, while the furniture nods to the Bauhaus style for which Tel Aviv is known.

Tsingpu Retreat Yangzhou, China

Located near Yangzhou’s scenic Slender West Lake, this 20-room hotel by Shanghai’s Neri & Hu is a calm grid of grey-bricked pavilions, courtyards and decorative pools that call to mind traditional hutong houses. Public spaces include an art gallery, theatre and teahouse.

Verride Palácio Santa Catarina Lisbon, Portugal

This 18-room hotel is housed in an 18th-century palácio boasting panoramic views of the Tagus. In restoring the interiors, architect Teresa Nunes da Ponte walked a fine line between protecting the ancient but still beautiful bones, while injecting a sophisticated modernity.

BEST NEW PRIVATE HOUSE The Nest, Namib Desert, Namibia by Porky Hefer

Essentially a scaled-up version of his ‘Nest’ furniture series, this secluded retreat is the first new-build house by South African designer Porky Hefer. Conceived for conservationist Swen Bachran, the house is thatched with reeds collected from along the Zambezi River.

Shapeshifter House, Reno, US by OPA

The origami-like forms and slanted zinc sections of this striking suburban house, by San Francisco practice OPA, are heavily influenced by its soft, sandy context. The three-storey house is surrounded by sculpted earth mounds, some of which form portions of its roof.

Towers Road House, Melbourne, Australia by Wood Marsh

This monumental piece of architecture delivers privacy to its inhabitants and intrigue to passers-by. Its raw textured concrete façades curve inwards to preserve existing trees on the site, while a contrasting zinc disc roof is balanced strategically to shade the interior.

Kirschgarten House, Binningen, Switzerland by Buchner Bründler Architekten

This new house on the edges of Basel’s Allschwil Forest is an ode to concrete. Combining the rough-textured material with bespoke cabinetry and timber elements, the architects have crafted a family home that unites high levels of privacy with maximum openness.

Brick House, New Delhi, India by RKDS

At this family home in South Delhi, three volumes of raw concrete, exposed brick and plaster define a practical plan for multi-generational family living. Teak louvres bring shade to the interiors, lined with white marble-chip flooring and brass-inlay grid patterns.

BEST NEW PUBLIC BUILDING Qatar National Library, Qatar by OMA

Natural light floods into this 42,000 sq m open-plan space through vast diamond-shaped glazed façades. At the complex’s very core sits the library’s precious Heritage Collection, 6m below floor level, evoking the appearance of an archaeological excavation.

National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Taiwan by Mecanoo

The shape of this undulating 141,000 sq m complex was inspired by the surrounding canopies of banyan trees. It comprises a sheltered public space, as well as a series of performance venues, including a 2,260-seat opera house and an open-air theatre built into the sloping roof.

V&A Dundee, UK by Kengo Kuma and Associates

Kuma’s first UK building and Scotland’s first dedicated design museum, this highly sculptural building takes its cues from the local ragged cliffs. Although clad in some 2,500 cast-stone panels, the structure appears light, resembling the prow of a moored ship.

Guardian Art Center, China by Buro Ole Scheeren

A series of interlocking volumes in grey stone, glass bricks and steel, this complex houses exhibition spaces, auction halls and a boutique hotel. Circular openings in the façade are based on a 14th-century painting, while the bricks of the upper volume reference local hutongs.

Apple Park Visitor Center, US by Foster + Partners

Offering panoramic views of Apple Park from its large roof terrace, this building replicates the seamless experience of an Apple product. Its transparent envelope sits below a floating carbon-fibre roof, which cantilevers over outdoor seating areas on either side.

BEST CITY Sharjah

Fast emerging as a cultural destination in the Emirates, Sharjah is challenging its higher-profile neighbours, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Draws include new graphic design and architectural events, developments by Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects, and dining spots such as Al Rawi and the Fen Café.

Milan

Milan’s renaissance is due in part to enlightened fashion players such as Miuccia Prada and Giorgio Armani, whose galleries and hotels are developing into key destinations. The Triennale is set to be reinvigorated by a new president, while projects by the likes of Herzog & de Meuron are bringing edge to the city’s grandeur.

Helsinki

The Finnish capital is having a moment: 2018 has seen the opening of a clutch of new institutions, such as the Amos Rex museum by JKMM Architects and the Oodi Central Library by ALA, as well as the launch of fashion hub Garden. In the works are more museums, as well as new destinations on the burgeoning public sauna scene.

Shanghai

New galleries, along with the ART021 and West Bund Art & Design fairs, have seen the city challenge Beijing as the gateway to contemporary Chinese art. In the pipeline is a Pompidou outpost by David Chipperfield, while Heatherwick Studio’s 1000 Trees mixed-use complex will deliver a green hit to the cityscape.

Vancouver

The city is balancing developments by international names such as Kengo Kuma, BIG, Büro Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban with the preservation of its ‘green city’, community-minded ideal. Its resident designers – such as lighting specialist Omer Arbel and fine art-influenced duo Dear Human – continue to make waves abroad.

BEST WOMENSWEAR A/W18 Balenciaga

Streetwear silhouettes and the haute-couture tradition synonymous with Cristóbal Balenciaga were brought together in Demna Gvasalia’s offering for the maison. Inspired by the volume-focused and innovative codes of the house, he used 3D-scanning to fit shell-like velvet and houndstooth jackets to models’ bodies.

Chloé

For her second collection for the house, Natacha Ramsay-levi offered marabou-trimmed Jodhpur trousers and horse-motif blazers, as well as exquisite tailoring and trench coats. Cut-outs revealed unexpected erogenous zones, while Bohemian élan was offset with chunky boots and sporty logo socks.

Loewe

Jonathan Anderson brought craft to the fore at Loewe, with detailed silhouettes and a rich material palette: there were concertina-pleated and leather-trimmed shirt dresses, chevron-striped or ballooning puff-sleeved coats, snug shearling outerwear, cape-sleeve tweed suiting and sports-striped trousers.

Louis Vuitton

Presented on a set inspired by Star Wars’ Millennium Falcon, Nicolas Ghesquière’s collection offered up a mix of historical opposites, contrasting chic Parisian staples (silk shirts, bicolour tuxedo jackets and cashmere coats) and Edwardian coats with futuristic corsets, space-age miniskirts and spaceship uniform blouses.

Rick Owens

Preoccupied with the trappings of human adornment, Owens translated the physical impact of the bustles, corsets and panniers of the past into padded and bulbous silhouettes in neutral tones and yellow-andbrown check, as well as jackets with puffy extrusions and oversized parkas with swaddling sleeves.

BEST MENSWEAR A/W18 Comme des Garçons Homme Plus

Rei Kawakubo’s eclectic collection featured white asymmetric jackets embossed with square panels; clothing formed from a patchwork of superhero comic strips; blazers sporting architectural drawings of interiors; and, most incongruously, fabric dinosaur masks by the Japanese artist Shimoda Masakatsu.

Lanvin

Lucas Ossendrijver reimagined the suit for Lanvin, throwing the most classic English textiles into a new conversation with narrow waists and strict, ironed-in pleats. Stripes and checks clashed and matched, while classic lines from bespoke tailoring were reconfigured to create a modern silhouette.

Maison Margiela

John Galliano’s first menswear collection for the Belgian house was a visual feast, and saw the house codes reimagined in the designer’s inimitable way: a classic trench coat was worn under its clear plastic replica; a canary-yellow puffer had its seams outlined in mink; a jumper was sliced and turned into a knitted frame.

Prada

Prada’s collection came like a bolt straight out of the archives, with all-black nylon looks based on the iconic accessories Miuccia Prada introduced in the mid-1980s, and colourful vintage prints. In a first for the brand, some pieces were designed in collaboration with creatives such as Konstantin Grcic and Rem Koolhaas.

Salvatore Ferragamo

Marking a new chapter for the Italian house, Guillaume Meilland’s collection was presented alongside Paul Andrew’s debut womenswear offering. Together the duo updated classic silhouettes in rich hues; the exquisitely colour-blocked clothes ranged from buttery leather overcoats to boxy jackets and autumn-toned trousers.

BEST NEW GROOMING PRODUCT Angle Razor by Morrama

The first solo project of London-based industrial design agency Morrama, this user-friendly, aluminium version of the traditional cut-throat razor aims to bring back the ritual of the wet shave, while also providing a more sustainable alternative to disposable models.

Make-up range by Manasi 7

A Swedish make-up artist of Indian parentage, Susanne Manasi Persson has produced an ethical, inclusive, organic make-up line in smart packaging. Catering for long-neglected skin tones, her products can be mixed upon application to exactly match your skin.

Toothpaste by Selahatin

Swedish entrepreneur Kristoffer Vural’s minimally adorned tubes of toothpaste are made with natural ingredients skilfully combined to please the palate. Launch flavours include anise, honey and peppermint; and green mint, peppermint and menthol.

Plant-powered deodorant by Myro

Designed by New York studio Visibility, this refillable deodorant addresses the health concerns and ecological impact of the plastic industry. The case is available in a choice of five shades, while the deodorant refills come in scents such as Chill Wave (cucumber, jasmine, mint).

Wellness beauty range by The Lost Explorer

A dedicated ecologist and environmentalist, National Geographic explorer David de Rothschild has created a sustainable, 100 per cent natural wellness range that includes practical products as relevant to urban adventurers as those frequenting the great outdoors.

LIFE-ENHANCER OF THE YEAR ‘Gople’ lamp by BIG, for Artemide

A collaboration between lighting specialists Artemide and BIG, the ‘Gople’ lamp aids plant growth thanks to its patented red-white-blue lighting system. Handblown using an ancient Venetian technique, the white crystal lamp is also available in silver and bronze finishes.

‘Pixel Buds’ earbuds by Google

These earbuds can wirelessly tap into Google Assistant, facilitating real-time translations pumped directly into the user’s ear. Supporting more than 40 languages, the nifty buds are also able to send notifications, give directions and respond to texts via voice transcription.

Water bottle by Closca

Spanish brand Closca is offering an elegant solution to the plastic crisis: a reusable glass bottle with a silicone flap that wraps neatly around a bag or bike using a magnetic clasp. The accompanying app will point you in the direction of the nearest water refill station.

Hangover cure by Yoursaint

It took Jørgen Koefoed and his team four years in the Swiss Alps to refine the formula of this hangover cure. It works by metabolising alcohol before it turns into toxic acetaldehyde, while also offering vitamin-boosting and hydrating properties to aid recovery.

‘Private Eye’ bag by LONB

Crafted from fine leather and weighing only 800 grams, this astonishingly multifunctional handbag features umpteen practical pockets. An internal zip pouch with a detachable shoulder strap can be completely removed, doubling as a storage pocket-cum-sleek shoulder bag.

FOR A FULL JUDGES’ AWARDS GALLERY, INCLUDING IMAGES OF ALL SHORTLISTED CONTENDERS, SEE WALLPAPER.COM