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.

Lim Wenhui is a Partner at SPARK, where she has played a key role in shaping the studio’s national and international portfolio for over 15 years. Her expertise spans urban planning, mixed-use developments, and architectural design, with a strong focus on projects that uplift communities and promote sustainable development.

She has led the design of several award-winning projects including Fai-Fah in Bangkok—nominated for the Aga Khan Award—and the Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, which earned SPARK the German Design Council’s “Architect of the Year” award. Her work on Homefarm and Beach Hut reflects her commitment to SPARK’s ethos that “architecture and design should make peoples’ lives better.”

Wenhui actively champions social sustainability through collaborations with organisations such as Blue Cross and her leadership of SPARK’s research and charity initiatives. As a guest speaker, award recipient, and former Chair of the PropertyGuru Asia Awards Singapore panel, she brings a community-first lens to her role on the AYDA jury.

Stephen Zawmoe Shwe is the Founder and Principal of SPINE Architects in Myanmar, with over 28 years of experience in architecture, interior design, and project management. Since establishing his practice in 2003, he has completed more than 500 projects across residential, commercial, religious, and humanitarian sectors.

A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University, Stephen is a recipient of prestigious accolades including the SOM Foundation Master of Architecture Fellowship and the AIA Allwork Scholarship. Prior to returning to Myanmar, he worked as an Associate at Tecny Group in New York, leading numerous high-profile projects.

Beyond professional practice, Stephen is dedicated to giving back through mentorship and public service. He regularly delivers seminars to young architects, teaches architecture students, and has contributed to the design of schools, cyclone shelters, monasteries, and meditation centres throughout Myanmar. His commitment to socially conscious architecture aligns closely with the spirit of the AYDA Awards.

Santhosh Shanmugam is a Partner at Shanmugam Associates (SA), a well-established architectural and design firm with over 40 years of practice in Chennai and Trichy, India. SA’s approach is rooted in simplicity and pragmatism, with a design ethos that is both experimental and rational. The essence is to deliver minimal and timeless solutions taking into consideration nature’s sensitivity, economic barriers and client’s requirement—qualities that Santhosh continues to champion through every project.

A graduate of the Advanced Architectural Design programme at Columbia University, New York, Santhosh also holds an undergraduate degree from the School of Architecture and Planning at Anna University, Chennai. His early career saw him working at Oppenheim Architecture + Design in Miami, where he was involved in designing hospitality, residential, and high-end villa projects across the globe.

With a passion for blending cultural context with contemporary practice, Santhosh brings a global perspective grounded in local realities. As a judge for the AYDA Awards, he is eager to guide emerging designers in crafting thoughtful and future-forward design solutions.

Raza Ali Dada is the Managing Partner at Nayyar Ali Dada & Associates, one of Pakistan’s most prominent architectural practices. With international design experience in New York and an active presence in Lahore, Raza brings a multidisciplinary lens to architecture, interiors, and urban design.

His work explores the intersection between the built environment and ecological systems, with a strong focus on conservation, sustainability, and heritage. As a board member of the Lahore Conservation Society and co-founder of the Lahore Biennale Foundation, he has championed initiatives like the Green Schools Programme and Afforestation Lahore, which has planted over two million trees.

Raza also contributes to the academic community as a visiting lecturer and serves as an on-site reviewer for the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture. As an advisor to the AYDA Awards, he continues to support emerging talent, encouraging students to design with both cultural relevance and environmental responsibility.

Dr Armin Mohsen Daneshgar is an Austrian-Iranian architect and the Founder of Daneshgar Architects, an internationally recognised firm based in Vienna. Known for its innovative approach and commitment to craftsmanship, the firm has delivered numerous award-winning projects that reflect a deep understanding of design, urban planning, and social context.

Armin began his career as a teaching professor at the Vienna University of Technology and has shared his expertise as a guest lecturer at various institutions. His architectural work places strong emphasis on re-densification in urban environments, focusing on maximising limited space through creative, sustainable solutions.

Beyond aesthetics, Armin champions architecture that enhances community well-being, designing spaces that encourage human interaction and reflect cultural and environmental awareness. His holistic and human-centric philosophy makes him a valuable member of the AYDA Awards jury, inspiring young designers to build with purpose, meaning, and societal impact in mind.