An incredible array of world-class projects across the Asia Pacific region wowed the judges in A&D Awards 2025. Check out just some of the Gold Award winners…. from stunning mountain resorts in Japan (pictured above) and Australia, and an iconic office tower in Hong Kong, to a quirky hotel fitout in Singapore and a contemplative museum below a giant statue in in India! All reflect the undoubted quality and creativity of architects and designers in our part of the world.

Odin Hills M2, Hokkaido

Responding to a challenging client brief to design a “new Japanese alpine typology”, ALT Design and Construction sought to find a balance between the iconic A-frame chalet found in resorts across Europe with the nuanced traditions of Japanese architecture. The resulting project Odin Hills M2, in Japan’s increasingly popular Niseko region, does that brilliantly and is a worthy winner of the Gold Award for Architecture / Future Developments – Residential. Drawing inspiration from Kyoto’s architectural sensibilities, the design maximises breathtaking view of the dormant volcano Mount Yotei on one side of the site while providing privacy from the roadway entrance.

In winter, the home becomes a warm sanctuary, offering both communal and intimate spaces centred around cozy fires, and a tranquil Japanese onsen bath. During the summer months, the design opens up, with access to a spacious upper-level deck that frames the volcano’s view and a smaller ground-floor deck leading to a meticulously curated Japanese garden. In short, a home that seamlessly adapts to both the seasons and its spectacular surroundings.

CLP Headquarters, Kai Tak, Hong Kong

The impressive new CLP Headquarters building in Hong Kong’s burgeoning Kai Tak district won a well-deserved Gold Award for Architecture – Best Workplace for INARC Design and Ronald Lu & Partners. The brief called for an iconic modern design that would leverage the site’s views over Kowloon Bay, employ sustainable technologies, and not be overwhelmed by the scale of the nearby 50,000-seat stadium. The studio delivered a landmark building with a gently undulating façade inspired by traditional Chinese folding screens from the Han dynasty.

A stone-clad podium was used to both anchor the tower to the ground and create a distinct visual separation between the glass tower and its base.

Judges noted the clever use of landscaping, “low-e” glass technology and a building management system which enables intuitive control over lighting, temperature and other environment factors. Dedicated meditation and resting areas, collaborative workspaces , a staff gym and café help create a comfortable, healthy and productive workplace.

Bilpin Resort House, Blue Mountains, Australia

Nestled on the northern edge of the Blue Mountains, 90km from Sydney, Mountaintop Bilpin Resort House seamlessly integrates with the magnificent surrounding landscape, with a design embodying the philosophy of “nature as stay, stay as nature.” Designed by Sydney-based global practice, IAPA, the resort features two cabins along a 70 m ridgeline, each spanning 170 sq m and accommodating 8–12 guests. An open central courtyard with a serene water feature connects the cabins, creating a versatile space ideal for yoga, wellness sessions and social gatherings.

Interiors blend refined simplicity with Eastern influences. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic views and abundant light. Living areas, bedrooms, and tatami spaces feature soft white and charcoal linens, while kitchens and bathrooms offer pristine white stone finishes. Outdoor bathtubs with mountain views and a sky-reflecting pool enhance the serene experience. It’s really no wonder the property is the Gold Award winner for Architecture – Best Hotel, Resort & Leisure.

Aatma Mantham Museum, Nathdwara, India

Towering 270 feet over Nathdwara in the Indian state of Rajasthan, the copper-clad Vishwas Swaroopam – or Statue of Belief – is the world’s tallest statue of the Hindu god Shiva. Built into its base is now an atmospheric, contemplative museum, thanks to the creative genius of Sanjay Puri Architects. It earned a Gold Award for Architecture – Best Public Building for the Mumbai-based studio, which last year won the Practice of the Year award.

Called the Aatma Mantham Museum, it seeks to unite the soul (aatma), mind (mana) & body (tann) of visitors as they move through a series of zones offering different audio visual and immersive experience. The walls, ceilings and structural columns of the vast entrance foyer are finished with a thin layer of foam concrete, which absorbs sound and creates a feeling of tranquillity. The clever design overcomes the challenge of working with an irregular shaped 18,000 sq ft floorplan with multiple structural issues due to the massive statue above.

The Standard Hotel, Singapore

The Standard is famed for its irreverent and immersive take on the hospitality experience. From its roots in Hollywood to New York and London, no two hotels are exactly alike, yet all share the same mid-century modern DNA and quirky sense of humour. The Standard Singapore, a fitting winner of the Gold Award for Interior Design – Best Hotel for the Ministry of Design, is set in a lush green enclave, paying homage to Singapore as a “City in a Garden”, minutes from the city’s renowned Orchard Road.

Curving walls adorned with timber battens sweep through the playful reception area to Cafe Standard, where plant-filled nooks with an inviting bar and quirky couches await. The greenery continues to Kaya Restaurant where creepers drape from the ceilings amid quirky pendant lights, and on to the rooftop pool bar. In the compact 23 sq m guest rooms, a sweeping timber ribbed canopy is a nod to an iconic Standard room feature. Sustainable design elements include “Singapore Green Label” timber flooring, “SGS certification” timber wall panels, low-energy lighting and sanitary fittings.