2023 Kyoto Global Design Awards

July 20, 2023

The Kyoto Global Design Awards celebrates the diversity of design across the world, starting from Japan's cultural center, Kyoto, which has more than a thousand years of history and is one of the oldest cities in the world. 

With its legacy of Japanese history, Kyoto continually innovates and endeavours, bringing together history and modernity. This precious heritage has allowed Kyoto to become not only an important symbol of culture but also a hub for new economic and design development.


2023 Event Highlight


Following the resounding success of its inaugural edition in 2020, the Kyoto Global Design Awards was recognised as an innovative global design event in the Asia-Pacific region. This time extends invitations to over 300 guests for the highly anticipated Awards Ceremony. This grand event will occur on the 15th of November 2023 at the illustrious Ace Hotel Kyoto



“I intended to design a ‘Cultural Catalyst’ for various people to visit and create a seamless relationship with Kyoto’s community."

 Kengo Kuma, Principal at Kengo Kuma & Associated



Designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the Ace Hotel Kyoto is a 213-room hotel that harmoniously integrates a new section with a historic fragment formerly occupied by the Kyoto Central Telephone Company, created by Tetsuro Yoshida. It serves as a visionary "Cultural Catalyst," embodying the abundant nature, art, evolving culture, craftsmanship, and profound history of the city. With its vibrant ambiance and cultural significance, the hotel stands as a central monument, invigorating the area and inspiring artistic expression and cultural engagement for its guests.


Inspiration of the Sustainability

The Kyoto Global Design Awards believes that these designers demonstrate that sustainable design can be both functional and beautiful, inspiring the design industry and wider society. By evaluating their efforts, we hope to encourage more designers to adopt sustainable and socially responsible practices and contribute to a better future for everyone. Let’s have a look at those sustainable outstanding designs selected from previous winners! 



KGDA winner - Restaurant / Hotel / Bar: Stoney Rise Cellar Door by Cumulus Studio


Stoney Rise Cellar Door showcases Cumulus Studio's skillful utilization of a small footprint to achieve more with less. Despite the minimalist material palette, the design emanates a sense of opulence while prioritizing sustainability. The integration of a striking brick base, reminiscent of Stoney Rise wine, harmoniously blends the building with the surrounding landscape. Locally-produced, carbon-neutral bricks provide both aesthetic appeal and environmentally-conscious construction. The design's meticulous attention to detail, achieved through collaborative teamwork, further underscores its alignment with the values and integrity of the Stoney Rise brand. 



KGDA winner - Environment: Villa KD 45 by Studio Symbiosis



In urban environments, there is an increasing disconnection between people and nature. Studio Symbiosis aims to address this issue by creating a green urban living project that re-establishes the residents' relationship with nature in their immediate surroundings. The villa is designed to harmoniously emerge from the landscape, with a central focus on maximizing green spaces on-site and capturing the park views.

Considering the hot climatic conditions of Delhi-NCR, this project prioritizes human comfort both indoors and outdoors. Several design features contribute to achieving this goal: a shallow water body on the ground floor aids in evaporative cooling, a green cover on the terrace reduces direct heat gain, and cross ventilation in the house take advantage of the prevailing wind direction. 



Cultural Exploration in Kyoto


Experience the cultural wonders of Kyoto while attending the Kyoto Global Design Awards. Explore iconic landmarks like Kiyomizudera Temple, Nijo-jo Castle and Heian-Jingu Shrine, discover the rich artistic heritage of the city and network opportunities with industry experts and potential collaborators. Immerse yourself in the creative side of Kyoto and stay updated on the latest design trends and innovations. 


TIMELINE


Regular Registration  from 1st April to 30th September 2023

Jury Evaluation  September to October 2023

Winners Announcement  October 2023

Awards Ceremony  15th November 2023


Visit  www.kgd-a.org

SHARE THIS

 Contribute

G&G _ Magazine is always looking for the creative talents of stylists, designers, photographers and writers from around the globe.

WRITE US

 Find us on

Recent Posts

By G&G _ Magazine February 27, 2026
Taking place from March 5–8, Indonesia International Furniture Expo (IFEX) 2026 is set to return as a key regional platform reinforcing Indonesia’s role as a leading furniture and craft manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, while strengthening its reach into global markets.
By G&G _ Magazine February 27, 2026
From March 18–21 and March 28–31, 2026, the 57th edition of CIFF Guangzhou returns with a strategic and forward-looking theme CONNECT·CREATE, positioning itself not only as a global furniture exhibition, but as an integrated platform where production and consumption, design and manufacturing, technology and culture converge to redefine the future of the industry.
By G&G _ Magazine February 24, 2026
From 5 February to mid-March 2026, across three emblematic locations in Madrid — Institución Libre de Enseñanza, Plaza de Colón and FORMA — LOEWE Perfumes presents Crafted Garden , an immersive installation conceived for Madrid Design Festival 2026 . The project unfolds as a sensory journey inspired by Renaissance gardens, bringing together nature, fragrance and contemporary craftsmanship in a multi-layered exploration of design and olfactory culture.
By G&G _ Magazine February 23, 2026
From 5 to 8 March, Nave Una and the Central de Diseño (DIMAD) at Matadero Madrid will host the first edition of FORMA , a new contemporary design fair curated by Antonio Jesús Luna and Emerjo Arena. Promoted by Madrid Design Festival together with the Madrid City Council’s Department of Culture, Tourism and Sport, the project is conceived as a strategic platform aimed at strengthening the design market and positioning Madrid on the international map of specialized fairs.
By G&G _ Magazine February 23, 2026
Following the success of Mo de Movimiento, Proyectos Conscientes presents TRAMO in Madrid: a visionary project rooted in sustainability, inclusion and urban renewal.
By G&G _ Magazine February 19, 2026
At a time when design is redefining its priorities, the contemporary landscape of interiors, décor, and outdoor living is clearly shifting from a digital-centric vision toward a more human, emotional and nature-driven approach. This transition was strongly evident during the latest editions of Warsaw Garden Expo and Warsaw Gift & Deco Show , held at Ptak Warsaw Expo from 10th to 12th February 2026.
MORE

 Subscribe

Keep up to date with the latest trends!

Receive a dose of inspiration directly into your mailbox!

 Popular Posts

By G&G _ Magazine February 23, 2026
From 5 to 8 March, Nave Una and the Central de Diseño (DIMAD) at Matadero Madrid will host the first edition of FORMA , a new contemporary design fair curated by Antonio Jesús Luna and Emerjo Arena. Promoted by Madrid Design Festival together with the Madrid City Council’s Department of Culture, Tourism and Sport, the project is conceived as a strategic platform aimed at strengthening the design market and positioning Madrid on the international map of specialized fairs.
By G&G _ Magazine December 2, 2025
Situated in a prime location in the heart of the city, WestCord Eindhoven reveals its newly renovation that blends heritage, contemporary design, smart technology, and refined hospitality. The hotel’s refreshed identity marks a new chapter where history and innovation coexist, offering guests an elevated stay that feels both stylish and intuitively comfortable.
By G&G _ Magazine November 6, 2025
interihotel once again amazed the city of Barcelona from October 21st to 23rd, bringing more than 11,600 industry professionals from around the world, reaffirming its position as Europe's leading event for hospitality design.