DAiKin Awards Ideal Living Spaces and F&B Ventures for Balancing Aesthetics with Optimal Air Conditioning

PT Daikin Airconditioning Indonesia has recognized interior designers and architects for their ideal living space projects that harmoniously integrate aesthetic elements with a strong focus on air conditioning. The awards were presented during the DAiKin Proshop Designer Award 2024 gala held in Jakarta on Thursday, November 28.

A total of 22 awards across seven categories were presented, representing the best works selected since the competition opened last May. Marking its fourth year, the annual DAiKin competition saw continued growth, attracting over 600 participants—a significant increase from previous editions.

"We are proud to see the continuous growth in participant numbers for each edition of this competition. This aligns perfectly with our mission to foster and expand awareness of a new culture for ideal living spaces in Indonesia—one that pairs aesthetic design with careful attention to air conditioning," stated Shinji Miyata, President Director of PT Daikin Airconditioning Indonesia, during his remarks at the awards ceremony.

Beyond DAiKin’s consistent commitment to developing the event, Mr. Miyata noted that the rising participation is also driven by the competition’s prestige, bolstered by collaborations with major Indonesian associations representing architects and interior designers. These include the Indonesian Architects Association (IAI) for DKI Jakarta and West Java, as well as the Indonesian Interior Designers Association (HDII) for Jakarta.

Regarding competition categories, the event expanded beyond professional architects and interior designers to include a dedicated student category. Both professional and student participants were divided into architecture and interior design tracks, which were further split into built project works and conceptual design proposals. Additionally, a special category was introduced featuring selections made by guest judge Daniel Mananta, an Indonesian celebrity who joined the jury panel alongside representatives from the partner associations and DAiKin.

The overarching theme, "EXPRESSION," challenged all participants to showcase innovative ideas and approaches in designing ideal living spaces that prioritize comfort by seamlessly integrating aesthetic appeal with effective air conditioning solutions.

Expanding beyond its role as a mere competition, the DAiKin Proshop Designer Award aims to serve as a platform for interior designers and architects to share a unified vision for ideal homes in Indonesia. "We hope this platform continues to nurture new approaches from design professionals, creating living spaces that strike a balanced harmony between aesthetic beauty and air conditioning, ultimately delivering comfort while supporting the health and well-being of occupants," added Mr. Miyata.

As a Japanese air conditioning specialist with nearly a century of global experience, Mr. Miyata highlighted that DAiKin supports the creation of these ideal living environments through its extensive range of technological innovations in air conditioning products, particularly within the DAiKin Home Central series. Featuring simplified installation thanks to its unique capability of connecting a single outdoor unit to multiple indoor units, the DAiKin Home Central system also offers a diverse array of indoor unit designs.

These designs are intentionally crafted to blend seamlessly with, and enhance the elegance of, various interior spaces according to their specific functions. Complementing these advantages, user health is prioritized through advanced humidity control and multi-layer filtration systems that effectively eliminate harmful airborne particles circulating indoors.

Detailing the recipients of the DAiKin Designer Award 2024, Willis Kusuma Architect took first place in the Built Project Architecture and Interior Design category. Through their project titled Urban Garden House, they incorporated Japanese architectural styles featuring transitional spaces, such as verandas that elegantly connect interior areas with gardens. Joining them in this category, DP+HS Architects and PT BUDI PRADONO ARCHITECTS secured second and third places, respectively.

The conceptual category featured equally stunning entries. Divided into two challenges—residential and commercial spaces for the Food & Beverage sector—awards were distributed across both professional and student groups. Among professionals, Arkitekton Limatama won the residential conceptual architecture category with Serambi Arunika, which draws inspiration from traditional stilt house concepts tailored for elderly living.

For the conceptual architecture challenge targeting Food & Beverage establishments, Helen Agustine Studio claimed top honors with Ciumbuleuit Compound. The jury was captivated by the studio’s unique concept of reimagining a traditional Indonesian Warteg (affordable local eatery) using a modern, modular approach. This design can be adapted to various locations while preserving its core characteristics: simplicity, practicality, and affordability.

In the professional conceptual interior design category for residential spaces, 2M Design Lab emerged victorious with Villa Balifu, featuring a minimalist interior design infused with bold, masculine energy. Also within the conceptual interior design track, Einstein Atelier won for the Food & Beverage sector with their project East Meet West Courtyard Garden, Phoenix Restaurant Bar, Cigar & Lounge. The design masterfully blends European classical aesthetics with locally sourced Indonesian materials.

Across all categories, the DAiKin Proshop Designer Award 2024 also featured special selections chosen by Daniel Mananta, an Indonesian celebrity serving on this year’s jury panel. For the conceptual architecture selections, K-Thenggono Design Studio won for the professional residential category with Twisted Connection, while JY Architect & Associates took the professional Food & Beverage category with Rasa Nusantara.

In the conceptual interior design selections, Yoval Julianto & Lady Viona Yacup won the professional residential category with The Epitome of Slow Living, and Saka Studio claimed the professional Food & Beverage category with Dobah Experience.

Looking ahead, Mr. Miyata reaffirmed DAiKin’s ongoing commitment to expanding and enhancing the DAiKin Proshop Designer Awards in the future. "With each conclusion of the DAiKin Proshop Designer Awards, we hope it marks the beginning of even more innovative ideas for ideal living spaces for the Indonesian public, born from the mutually inspiring interactions among all participants," concluded Mr. Miyata.