Dezeen has unveiled the shortlisted projects for the 2025 Dezeen Awards China, featuring an impressive collection of 130 architecture, interior design, and product design works from across the country. The finalists include a striking seaside pavilion located on the remote Chaishan Island and an innovative cultural center featuring distinctive sloping roofs in Guangzhou.
The competition showcases exceptional diversity, with 120 projects submitted by design studios representing 30 different cities throughout China. These projects are competing for recognition across 23 categories that encompass architecture, interiors, and design excellence. The comprehensive selection demonstrates the breadth and quality of contemporary Chinese design innovation.
Prominent international and domestic studios feature prominently among the shortlisted entries. Foster + Partners, Studio Link-Arc, and Atelier Xi represent the architectural category, while interior design is represented by acclaimed studios including Linehouse, Cheng Chung Design, and Yatofu. Technology giant DJI also secured a position on the shortlist, highlighting the intersection of design and technology in contemporary Chinese innovation.
The prestigious Designers of the Year shortlists have also been announced, featuring notable studios Atelier taoc, Domain Architects, and Benwu Studio. These selections recognize outstanding contributions to design excellence and innovation within the Chinese design community.
Dezeen Awards China 2025, presented in partnership with Bentley, initially revealed all shortlisted projects through Dezeen's WeChat account last week. The selection process involved rigorous evaluation by an expert judging panel that included renowned architects Ziyu Zhuang and Patrik Schumacher from Zaha Hadid Architects, interior designers Keiji Ashizawa and Bin Wu, designer Min Chen, and curator Aric Chen.
The residential project category features six outstanding entries, including Jun Meng's "A House of Light" in Shanghai by LQS Architects and the Chu's Orange Manor Living Center in Yuxi by Suzao Architects. Other notable residential projects include Habitat Qinhuangdao Phase 2 by Safdie Architects, a Courtyard House in Hangzhou by TEDO, "Our Forest" in Yunlin by CTAA Architects Lab, and YSJ4-3 in Chongqing by Shi-Ye Architecture Design and Research Practice.
Public projects are divided into two categories: sports, hospitality and entertainment; and arts, culture and community. The sports and hospitality category includes the Lel Design Studio in Zhejiang by MookeCo, Shekou Culture and Sports Park in Shenzhen by Tanghua Architects, and the distinctive Ginkgo Valley Treehouse in Hubei by Moguang Studio. The arts and culture category features the Shunde Yunlu Wetland Museum in Foshan by Studio Link-Arc, AYDC Public Art Center in Guiyang by Atelier Xi, and the ambitious Hengqin Culture and Art Complex by Yunchao Xu/Atelier Apeiron and SZAD.
The office and industrial project category showcases five impressive entries, including Foster + Partners' Alibaba Shanghai Campus, TAOA's self-designed office in Beijing, and the innovative Guangzhou North Island Creative Park Management Center by Mutual Architecture. Small projects demonstrate creativity within constrained parameters, featuring the Drop-Stop Pavilion in Wenzhou by Aptdotapt, the scenic Seaside Pavilion on Chai Shan Island in Zhoushan by GN Architects, and the experimental Desert Ark in Tengger Desert by DesignReserve.
Educational architecture is represented by six diverse projects, ranging from the renovation and expansion of Xianyang Qindu District Kongya School by O.A. Studio to the modern Hangzhou Liangzhu West Coast Kindergarten by Clou Architects. The category also includes The Renovation of Shekou School in Shenzhen by Yu Architects and the innovative Yijia Building of Tongji University by Atelier L and Tongji Architectural Design Group.
Landscape and urban design projects demonstrate large-scale thinking, with entries including the Reconstruction Project at the East Entrance of Shenzhen People's Park by Reform, Changchun Jingyue Central Park by Shuishi, and the atmospheric Ring of Starlight in Chengdu by Air-CoLab Studio and HDEC. The rebirth project category celebrates adaptive reuse, featuring the Renovation of Shanghai Relay Factory by HCCH Studio and the dramatic Zhouzhuang Theater Renovation by CAALADI and Practice on Earth.
Interior design categories span multiple specializations, from residential spaces to commercial environments. The home interior category includes the House of Borrowed Scenery in Beijing by Atelier Jingjing and the River Residence in Guangzhou by OhStudio. Restaurant and bar interiors feature Torisawa by the Sea in Qinhuangdao by Atelier XY and the innovative Gempot in Aranya by Projject. The retail interior category showcases creative commercial spaces like the Lemaire Chengdu Taikoo Li Store by FOG Architecture and the futuristic "The Future Ruin - Aitashop Beijing" by Yatofu Creatives.
Specialized interior categories include office spaces, hotels, and exhibitions. Notable office interiors include the MAX Show Office in Hangzhou by Ippolito Fleitz Group Identity Architects and the serene "Modern Tranquility: Zen in the Office" workspace in Hangzhou by Studio8 Architects. Hotel interiors are represented by the atmospheric Lost Villa Shengsi Huanglong Island Lighthouse Hotel by SZ-Architects and the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Qianmen Beijing by Cheng Chung Design.
Product design and innovation categories highlight Chinese creativity in physical objects and technology. The product design category features the elegant Asterisk Lighting Series by Cynics, the ergonomic Niro Light Task Chair by DKE Office, and the thoughtful I.M. PEI Collection for M by Napp Studio and Architects. Technology design showcases cutting-edge innovations including the Unitree G1 Robot, DJI Flip drone, and Huawei Router X1/Pro.
Material innovation represents a growing focus on sustainability, with entries including Regenerated Ceramic Products by Yi Design, Filie Reclaim by Chang Wong Industrial, and the circular economy project "Jeans Loop: Recycled Denim Architecture for Dingge" by M-Seen. Installation design pushes creative boundaries with works like "Down in the Clouds" by Practice on Earth and Increments Studio and "Flying in the City" by MBRS Design and Research Studio.
The individual recognition categories honor outstanding practitioners across disciplines. The Architect of the Year shortlist includes Domain Architects, Kokaistudios, and Studio Link-Arc. Interior Designer of the Year candidates are Atelier d'More, Atelier taoc, and Atelier xy. Designer of the Year recognition goes to Bentu, Benwu Studio, and Ming Design Studio, while Rising Star of the Year acknowledges emerging talent including Baicai Design, Dayuan Design, and UnderRoof Shanghai.
Dezeen Awards China represents the first regional edition of the international Dezeen Awards program, specifically celebrating excellence in Chinese architecture, interiors, and design. Now in its third year, the annual awards program operates in partnership with Bentley as part of a broader collaboration aimed at inspiring, supporting, and championing design excellence while showcasing innovations that contribute to creating a better and more sustainable world.
This ambitious partnership aligns with Bentley's architecture and design business initiatives, which include the Bentley Home range of furnishings and various real estate projects worldwide. The collaboration demonstrates a commitment to recognizing and promoting design innovation that addresses contemporary challenges while maintaining aesthetic excellence.
The category winners and overall project of the year recipients will be announced during a live ceremony at the annual Dezeen Awards China celebration in Shanghai this October. This year's event will be hosted at the Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai hotel, providing an elegant setting for recognizing the year's most outstanding achievements in Chinese design and architecture. The ceremony promises to celebrate not only individual winners but also the collective strength and diversity of China's contemporary design landscape.
