Yeşim Kozanlı, who graduated from Bilkent University’s Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design in 1994, began her career working on interior design, project, and application, primarily focusing on residential and office spaces, including store and restaurant designs. She also offered consultancy services and held managerial roles in domestic and international firms.
She later founded Yeşim Kozanlı Architecture & Interior Design with a dynamic team that brings the past into the present. Her firm quickly gained recognition through distinctive designs, especially in hospitality, and is now accredited by many global hotel chains. In her work, Yeşim emphasises simplicity and function while creating extraordinary concepts through diverse materials and colour combinations. Her designs aim to tell meaningful stories, grounded in a thoughtful exploration of what, why, and how we build better living spaces.
With over 28 years of experience, Yeşim continues to provide architectural and interior solutions to global brands and is a founding member of the Idealist Interior Architecture Association.
Mesa Nopakun is the Managing Director of Dot Line Plane Company Limited, an interior design firm based in Thailand known for its work across hospitality, commercial, retail, and residential spaces throughout Asia. With over 20 years of experience, Mesa combines conceptual creativity with hands-on project management to deliver designs that are not only visually compelling, but also deeply soulful and purposeful.
He holds a degree in Architecture with a major in Interior Architecture from Chulalongkorn University, and has furthered his studies at renowned institutions including Parsons School of Design, Columbia University, and Cornell University. Mesa also serves as Vice President of the Thailand Interior Design Association (TIDA) as a Professional Affairs Committee, where he contributes as President of the Thesis Award Committee. He is also part of the international judging panel for the APSDA Award for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025, hosted by the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA).
A passionate advocate for growth and exploration, Mesa is excited to share his journey and insights with young designers at AYDA, encouraging them to challenge their limits and pursue meaningful, human-centred design.
Dr. Lilia ‘Lil’ de Jesus is an esteemed educator and leader in interior design, with decades of experience shaping the academic and professional landscape. She currently heads the Interior Design programme at Enderun Colleges and is part of the Graduate School Education Cluster at the University of Santo Tomas, where she continues to mentor future educators and designers.
Dr. Lil holds advanced degrees in Art Education and Educational Psychology. She previously served as Chair of the Commission on Higher Education’s Technical Committee for Interior Design from 2013 until 2024. She is also a four-term President of the Council of Interior Design Educators and a former President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID). Internationally, she has served on the boards of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) and APSDA, and continues to champion design education reform through initiatives such as AYDA.
Currently, she is actively involved in the Philippine Green Building Initiatives (PGBI), a non-profit organisation established in 2010 to promote sustainable design and construction practices. PGBI aims to develop a green building rating system and encourage the adoption of green building principles across the industry. Dr. Lil cultivates this passion for sustainability by continuously educating herself on its principles and real-world impact — blending lifelong learning with advocacy to drive meaningful change.
She also serves as part of the international judging panel for AYDA, where she contributes her deep expertise to nurturing the next generation of design leaders.
Ms. Bindra Kachhipati Pradhan is a seasoned interior designer with nearly three decades of experience spanning residential, corporate, government, hospitality, and retail sectors. A graduate of the International Polytechnic for Women in New Delhi, she is well-regarded for her work in design, project management, and consultancy across Nepal.
From 2019 to 2023, Ms. Pradhan served as President of the Interior Designers Association of Nepal (IDEA Nepal), where she played a pivotal role in elevating the association’s presence both nationally and internationally. She previously served as a Board Member of the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) from 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 and currently serves as a Board Member of the APSDA College of Fellows (ACOF).
A strong advocate for education and community building, she regularly contributes as a guest lecturer and speaker at design institutions. As a founding member of the Gambhirman Visho Niketan Foundation, Ms. Pradhan continues to support the advancement of education—values she brings to the AYDA Awards judging panel.
Additionally, she serves as Brand Ambassador for the “Asia Designers Directory” magazine.
Bill Yen is the Founding Partner and Director of MRT Design in Shanghai, where he leads a multidisciplinary team delivering impactful work across architecture, interior, and spatial design. With a Master of Architecture from Harvard University and a dual degree in Economics and Studio Art from Duke University, Bill brings a rare synthesis of design sensitivity and strategic thinking to his practice.
In addition to his professional work, Bill is a committed educator, having served as Professor and Thesis Advisor at Fudan University’s School of Visual Arts, and as Assistant Professor at Hong Kong University (Shanghai Campus). His academic background spans landscape architecture, urban planning, and spatial design.
Bill’s work has received numerous accolades, including recognition from the Design for Asia Awards and multiple Top 50 Interior Design Works citations in Shanghai. As a judge for AYDA’s Interior Design category, he brings a global perspective shaped by both practice and pedagogy, inspiring emerging talents to craft spaces with purpose and innovation.
Ivy Almario is the co-founder and principal designer of Atelier Almario, an award-winning interior design studio specializing in luxury residential and hospitality projects. Alongside her sister, Cynthia, she honed her craft in Los Angeles, California, before establishing their Manila-based studio.
A thought leader in the design industry, Ivy has been a content contributor for leading shelter magazines and shares expert insights on interior design through Atelier Almario’s widely followed YouTube channel.
Beyond her design practice, Ivy is deeply involved in shaping the industry. She currently serves as Vice President of the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association, following her tenure as National President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers.
Matthew Lim is a visionary designer who believes in crafting compelling narratives through a people-centric, immersive, and meaningful design language. Embarking on his entrepreneurial journey at just 21, he founded MLA Design in 2015. In its first five years, the firm rapidly expanded its portfolio across eight countries in Southeast Asia, specializing in F&B, hospitality, and residential projects.
A highly regarded figure in the interior design landscape, Matthew has earned numerous local and international accolades over the past decade. His achievements include an Honorary Mention at the IDA Award International (Los Angeles, USA) in 2014 and Silver at the A’ Design Award (Milan, Italy) in both 2016 and 2017. More recently, he received an Honorable Mention at the Outstanding Property Award London 2020 and was named a Winner at the International Interior Design Award 2020, further cementing his reputation as a design industry leader.
Shahmeena Labeeb is a passionate urban designer and placemaker at Village Well in Melbourne, Australia, where she focuses on creating spaces that foster harmony between communities and the natural environment. With a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Australia and a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture from Taylor’s University, Malaysia, her strong design background enables her to craft functional and aesthetically engaging spaces that enhance community interaction and well-being.
Her notable projects include the Six Senses Burnham Beeches Placemaking Framework in Victoria and The Tranquility Project in Western Australia, a premium aged care and wellness facility designed to promote holistic living.
Shahmeena’s contributions to the field have earned her multiple accolades, including the Platinum and Gold Awards at the 2017/2018 Nippon Paint Asia Young Designer Awards for her groundbreaking "City Beekeeping" project.
In 2021, she received an Honourable Mention from the Smart Cities Research Institute of Australia for her innovative urban design work.
Committed to a regenerative approach, Shahmeena ensures that the spaces she designs are not only visually compelling but also sustainable, accessible, and beneficial to both people and the environment.
Qualifications
Master of Architecture: Swinburne University of Technology
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Interior Architecture: Taylor’s University, Malaysia
Key projects
Yasemin Arpac, Founding Partner (interior architect), graduated from Tarsus American College in 1994 and from Bilkent University, the department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design in 1998.
In 2004, she established Ofist in Tunel, Beyoglu, alongside Sabahattin Emir. Her educational journey continued with studies in Design Culture and Management at Bilgi University. Apart from her teaching commitments at MEF University, Yasemin has contributed significantly to the design industry through her innovative projects at Ofist, which have garnered acclaim both locally and internationally.
Her work is characterised by a harmonious blend of functionality, aesthetics, and cultural sensitivity. Yasemin's leadership at Ofist reflects her commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary interior design, while her role as an educator underscores her dedication to nurturing the next generation of design professionals at AYDA with a holistic understanding of the field.
Santi Alaysius is an award-winning Interior Designer with over 20 years of experience, renowned for her work on prestigious projects like the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Chicago, Marriott Yogyakarta, and Indonesia's first design boutique hotel, Kosenda Hotel. Her designs have been featured in Wallpaper UK Magazine, Hospitality Design Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, Elle Décor, and Home & Décor.
In the U.S., Santi has contributed to notable projects such as the USA Pavilion for World Expo 2005 in Japan and Jennifer Lopez's residence in Long Island. She is known for creating exceptional spaces using locally sourced materials, with a commitment to perfection in every detail. Her expertise spans diverse commercial projects, seamlessly blending art, fashion, and industrial elements to bring clients' visions to life.
Santi co-founded Domisilium Studio in 2009 with Hamphrey Tedja. The duo was recognized as Elle Décor Indonesia Magazine's A-list Interior Designers in 2013 and Gen-T by Tatler in 2019. They have achieved international acclaim, collaborating with brands like Nike, Marriott International, and Accor. Since 2013, Santi has also been teaching interior design at LaSalle College Jakarta.
In May 2018, Santi and her partner co-founded DMDIO, specializing in product and exhibition design, supporting both local and international brands. Santi holds degrees from The Art Institute of Seattle and The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago, graduating with honors in Fashion Marketing & Management (2002) and Interior Architecture (2005). She began her career at Thom Filicia, Inc. in New York and Simeone Deary Design Group in Chicago, focusing on high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.
The AYDA Awards is part of Nippon Paint’s vision to nurture the next generation of Architectural and Interior Design talents. It serves as a platform to inspire students of these disciplines to develop their skills through cross-learning.